What are Millets?
Millets are a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food. Millets are indigenous to many parts of the world. Millets are a coarse grain, cultivated in the Indian subcontinent, for ages now. Yet, it always flew under the radar with the presence of more popular cereals like rice and wheat.
Millets are coarse grains that have been traditionally grown and eaten in the Indian subcontinent for centuries.
They can play an important role in preventing as well as curing a number of health issues. Millets are also loaded with high amount of starch as well as proteins, which could be very beneficial if included in daily diet.
Millets even can be grown in areas where water resources are not easily available too. Millet benefits our bodies by strengthening our immunity, keeping diseases in check and also aiding weight loss.
The most widely grown millet is pearl millet, which is an important crop in India and parts of Africa. Millets help them maintain their energy level throughout the day without having to keep eating constantly. Millets contain essential fats, which provide our bodies with natural fat.
Last year in December 1999 on Christmas Holidays, we went to my nephew’s home in Winnipeg, Manitoba for six days to enjoy our Winter holidays. Because there we were totally free, so we used to watch Television. Sometimes movie, sometimes anything else and one day there was program about millets. One person told his story, how by changing his diet he became healthy.
So coming back to my own home, I searched about millets and came to know that there are so many types of millets.
Millets are available in a range of options. Each type of millet carries its own health benefits.
If you’re starting to add millets in your diet, then any of these written below you can choose to start with, because each millet has its own benefits. Eating them in the right amount and cook in proper way can help you to gain health benefits.
Types of Millets
- Kangni/Kakum (Foxtail Millet)
- Finger millet
- Pearl millet
- Buckwheat
- Little millet, used in this Khichdi?
- Kodo millet
- Chena (Broomcorn millet/ Proso)
- Pearl millet
- Jowar (Sorghum)
- Bajra (Pearl millet)
- Sanwa (Barnyard millet)
- Moraiyo/ Kutki (Little millet)
- Rajgira/Ramdana (Amaranth)
- Kuttu (Buckwheat)
- Kodon (Kodu millet)
Millets are rich in several beneficial nutrients such as phosphorus, magnesium, copper, manganese, and so on. The calorie content of millets is incredibly low, and so, they are a great food product for weight loss.
Little Millet Khichdi Recipe
Little millet Khichdi is so easy to make. Since I’m giving millets khichdi to my husband, I use the same method to make khichdi from all types of millets.
Question: How I make Millet Khichdi?
Answer: I Soak any type of millet at least for 12-24 hours. Then wash it with tea strainer and put in saucepan and put some water.
Now switch on the stove and put this sauce pan on it. Stir it after every 2 minutes and when it is ready, serve it with any home cooked sabji, soup or Dal.
What is Ragi Millets?
Ragi is an ancient grain from India and nowadays it is very popular. This grain is small in size and deep brown in color, which looks like mustard seeds. Ragi is a very good source of calcium and dietary fiber.
It can add taste and variety to your diet plan. It can be used to make many things, including dosa, roti, Ragi Kanji, Khichdi, ragi missi roti and so much more.
Ragi health Benefits
Nowadays Millets are so popular Worldwide. Dr. Khader Valli is Popularly known as the Millet Man of India and he recommend to eat millets rather than Rice.
Dr. give the lectures to educate people about the use and benefits of millets. Millets are cereal crops and small seed grasses, which are widely used in African and Asian countries.
Millets are coarse grains which have been traditionally grown and eaten in the Indian subcontinent for the last 5000 years.