This blog helps you understand why millets are once again becoming a popular choice. We also explain how the Attappadi tribes are growing the finest millets, which could make your family’s meals healthier.
Many people are choosing millets today. This is part of a major food revolution across the world. Despite their widespread presence in the ancient Indian kitchens, millets disappeared with the introduction of other grains. But now they have seen a majestic return as people have started realizing their health benefits.
The tribal communities of Attappadi have been growing and cultivating these millets for generations. Today, modern research idealizes these millets, highlighting their benefits while including them in the daily diet. Reports prove that millets are rich in nutrients and naturally gluten-free, thus making them the best choice for everyday meals.
Why do you want to introduce millets to your table? The answer is simple. If you have diabetes, want to keep your diet healthier, or simply want to have some natural, wholesome foods, millets are your best choice.
What are Millets?
Notably, millets are small, nutrient-rich grains that our ancestors used to grow and eat for thousands of years. In India, millets had a unique position in the diet, especially in rural and traditional communities. While they are often known as a single grain, millets, in reality, include multiple varieties. Each grain contains its own benefits.
Some of the varieties are:
Ragi
Ragi, also known as Finger Millet, remains one of the oldest grains in the world. It is believed to have its origin in Africa and was later introduced to countries like India. The grain has a long and rich history, which is understood even better as there is evidence that it has been consumed during the Harappan Civilization.
The grain is considered one of the most nutritious foods, which everyone should include in their diet, irrespective of age. Ragi is rich in protein, calcium, iron, and antioxidants. It can also help manage blood sugar, support better digestion, be good for heart health, and be best for everyday health.
Bajra
Bajra, also called Pearl Millet, is one of the most widely grown grains in the world. For centuries, it has been a staple food in India and many African countries. It is a small, round millet, which comes in many colours, including white, yellow, grey, and brown.
What makes Bajra one of the best grains is, of course, its health benefits. It is a good source of protein, fibre, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and B vitamins. The millet also provides complex carbohydrates that keep you full for longer, giving you steady energy throughout the day.
Jowar
Jowar, an ancient grain that originated in Africa, is also known as Sorghum. Now, it is widely cultivated in Asian countries like India. As it grows well in dry conditions, it is often one of the best crops for farmers.
The millet is naturally gluten-free. It also has other nutrients, including fibre, protein, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and antioxidants. In addition, it can provide steady energy and support digestion, keeping you full for a long time.
Foxtail Millet
Foxtail millet has been a part of the Asian diet for many years. While the millet is suitable to be grown in dry regions, even without plenty of water, farmers in India, China, and Japan prefer to grow Foxtail millet.
Similar to other millets, Foxtail is also gluten-free and has fibre, iron, calcium, protein, and other essential minerals. It can also support digestion, maintain blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and provide energy.
Little Millet
Little millet has been grown in India for centuries. It can grow well in dry regions and poor soils. It is now gaining popularity due to its nutritional values.
As it has a low glycaemic index, it is the best choice for diabetic patients. In addition, it is rich in fibre, protein, iron, calcium, antioxidants, and essential minerals. Overall, it can provide high health benefits.
Kodo Millet
Kodo Millet is a grain found in ancient India and parts of Africa. It is now grown in dry areas and is sustainable for farmers.
Like other millets, Kodo is also rich in fibre, protein, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and antioxidants. It is also gluten-free, making it a perfect choice for everyday meals. Besides usual health benefits, Kodo Millet strengthens bones, supports healthy weight management, boosts immunity, and improves skin health.
In general, millets are a great source of multiple nutrients, including fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals. They are gluten-free as well. This makes millets a necessary addition to your everyday diet.
Why Did Millets Disappear?
Millets have shown widespread presence across the Indian, Asian, and African kitchens for thousands of years. People used them to prepare a wide variety of healthy and tasty dishes, including porridge and rotis.
But during the Great Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s, things took a change. Rice and wheat replaced these millets, with strong government support. While people started consuming rice and wheat, millets slowly disappeared.
Even people had forgotten these nutritious products as generations passed. There were times when people and children became very unfamiliar with ragi, jowar, and bajra. But now, as lifestyle diseases like diabetes are becoming more common, people are looking back to traditional grains.
Even now, as traditional communities in Attappady continue to grow and eat millets, millets remain unfamiliar in many regions. It is surprising that the healthiest foods are the least known in an era when we are behind junk and processed foods.
Why Should You Include Millets in Your Kitchen? 7 Reasons Unveiled
Do you think millets are just an ancient grain? No, they aren’t. They are nutritious, easy to cook, and a perfect fit for all. Let’s see seven reasons that make millets an inevitable food.
1. Natural Nutrition
It is worth noting that millets are naturally rich in essential nutrients that your body needs on a daily basis.
2. Gluten-Free
While many prefer wheat over rice for a healthy diet, it contains gluten. If you are looking for an alternative to wheat, millets are the best choice, as they are naturally gluten-free.
3. Alternative to Refined Grains
Polished rice and refined flour are not great options if you are looking for a healthy diet. Millets are whole grains, and can provide you with steady energy, making you feel full.
4. Suitable for Every Age
If you have millets in your kitchen, your cooking routine will be easier. Do you know why? Because with millets you can prepare dishes for everyone, from infants to older ones. There is no need to prepare separate dishes for each of the family members. For kids, Ragi is the trusted first food, as it is rich in calcium, iron, and other nutrients that support healthy growth and development.
5. Supports Gut Health and Digestion
As millets are high in fibre, they could support healthy digestion and keep your gut healthy. They support regular bowel movements and may help reduce constipation, bloating, and other digestive issues.
6. Supports a Healthy Lifestyle
Are you looking to manage your weight in a healthy way? Or, are you searching for a good diet as you have become health-conscious? Then, there is nothing better than millets. They can manage your weight and add wholesome food to your meals.
7. Easy to Grow
Millets can be grown more easily. It needs less water and can be grown even in dry regions. This makes their availability abundant. Thus, if you choose millets over other products, you are indirectly supporting sustainable farming. When you choose Hornbill Naturals, you are also supporting small tribal farmers of Attappady.
What’s Sprouting and How Will It Help You?
Sprouting is a simple, natural process where ragi grains are soaked in water and allowed to begin germinating before they are carefully dried and milled into flour. This process makes it more nutritious, and thus it has been used in traditional kitchens for generations.
How will the nutritional value improve when ragi is sprouted? Let’s explain.
Sprouting reduces natural compounds like phytic acid that can prevent your body from absorbing minerals. This means that eating sprouted ragi will help you take in more calcium, iron, and zinc.
The sprouting process breaks down some of the starches and proteins, making it easier to digest. Thus, sprouted ragi is always a popular option for babies, children, and adults.
In addition, sprouting activates natural enzymes and boosts the availability of important vitamins and minerals. Overall, sprouted ragi is an everyday essential that improves digestion, nutrient absorption, gut health, and total well-being.
Hornbill Natural’s Sprouted Ragi Powder deserves special attention here. We do not include any chemicals or artificial processing in our product. Our ragi powder just unlocks more of its natural goodness.
How to Add Millets to Your Daily Diet?
While thinking about adding millets to your everyday meals, you may think of it as something impossible or challenging. But it is easier than you think. There is no need to change your entire food habits. It is only the case of some simple swaps and additions.
Here are some ways in which you can consume millets and remain healthy.
For breakfast, you can use our Millet Health Mix. Just mix it with warm milk or water. This simple preparation will give you a quick, healthy, and tasty breakfast. You can also make a bowl of ragi porridge with a little cardamom and jaggery for natural sweetness. Also, adding sprouted ragi powder to your smoothies, milkshakes, or fresh juices can give you extra nutritional benefits.
To make your children happy with our products, you can mix our Chocolate Millet Health Mix with warm or cold milk. With sprouted ragi, you can make pancakes, dosa, or idlis and serve it to your children. You can also make homemade energy balls, adding our millets with dates, nuts, and seeds.
For people with diabetes, replace sugar-based cereals or refined flour with our Millet Health Mix. As there is no added flavour or sugar, it is safe for your health. Using ragi, you can make soft rotis, dosas, etc.
For elderly people, ragi porridge is a healthy and easy choice. It is easy to digest and rich in calcium, so you can have a healthy breakfast.
Unveiling the Attappadi Connection
Hornbill Naturals has a deep-rooted connection with Attappadi and its tribal communities. All our millets are a result of their dedicated farming practices. This beautiful tribal region in the Western Ghats is mainly known for its traditional farming practices, which became the basis of our story.
For many centuries, generations of these communities have invested in growing millets and crops. These tribes, called the Irula, Muduga, and Kurumba, have a deep understanding of the land, seasons, and crops, which makes their efforts fruitful.
While their millets and grains preserve both the nutritional value and the region’s farming heritage, we intend to bring them to all Keralite kitchens. These treasures of nature are not meant to be restricted to the Western Ghats but should flood the whole world.
Choose Better, Eat Better, and Live Better
Millets have come back. Driven by their nutritional value and health benefits, more people are switching to millets and grains. While the world is rediscovering its benefits, you should not be the one who misses it.
Don’t need to make a revolutionary change. Just replace your daily unhealthy food habits with Hornbill Naturals’ millets and grains. Be a part of our journey and enjoy the pure magic of nature with us.