Want to add millets to your diet? You need to know this golden rule

Millets are the same in properties but differ in various aspects, said dietician Jyoti Gupta.

By: Lifestyle Desk
New Delhi | Updated: June 2, 2024 01:14 PM IST

3 min read

This is why you should eat only one kind of millet at a time (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Are you thinking of incorporating millets into your diet? Great choice! Millets are a powerhouse of nutrition and can bring a delightful variety to your meals. But before adding them to your diet, there’s a little secret you should know that can make all the difference in your culinary adventures.

Kavita Dev, a millet entrepreneur on her Instagram handle shared a video mentioning, “You should not mix different millets at a time to eat”

Pallavi Upadhyaya, managing director of Millets for Health said, “It is true that we should consume only one millet at a time but individuals who used to consume maida and other unhealthy things regularly, following strict diet is unsustainable for them.”

Let’s understand why you need to eat only one kind of millet at a time.

Why shouldn’t you mix millets in a single meal?

Millets are the same in properties but differ in various aspects, said dietician Jyoti Gupta.

The reason why we should refrain from mixing various millets is some millets are higher in protein while others might be richer in fibre and too much of even these good nutrients can affect the digestion and absorption of other important nutrients like iron.

That is why it is suggested to eat one kind of millet at a time to make digestion smoother and attain its maximum benefits, explained Gupta.

The main health benefits of millet include prevention from diabetes and helping people attain a healthy lifestyle and weight due to less gluten and carbs present. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Incorporate the benefits of various millets without mixing them

Sorghum (Jowar), pearl millet (Bajra), foxtail millet (Kangni), finger millet (Ragi), Barnyard millet, Kodo millet, Little Millet, and Proso Millet are among the healthiest millet grains available.

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The main health benefits of millet include prevention from diabetes and helping people attain a healthy lifestyle and weight due to less gluten and carbs present, mentioned Gupta.

But mixing them is never a good option. If you want to include millets in your diet then you can have one kind of millet for breakfast, another for lunch, and another for dinner.

Consuming jowar in any form is healthy for breakfast or lunch but not so much for dinner. Likewise, based on the properties of different millets, one can plan their diet and schedule their meal plans accordingly, recommended Gupta.

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