7 Different Types Of Millets To Add To Your Weight Loss Regime
There are six thousand types of millets grown in the global farms and consumed across the continents. Six thousand varieties of a single food grain – nature is so wondrous, isn’t it? Though there are different varieties of millets grown and consumed around the globe, millets have always been a less popular food choice among consumers. Despite being a low-fat and high-nutrition food choice, millets never went well with the cravings of food lovers. And, the reason is obvious, millets don’t taste as good as wheat and rice. But now people’s eating habits are taking a shift to the healthy options of food in the wake of wellness. For this reason, millets are turning out to be a significant part of people’s dietary plans, seeing its benefits for weight loss.
Millets to Set Up Your Weight Loss Regime
Ask any health and wellness expert about the salubrious values of millets, he can show you substantial evidence for health benefits of this gluten-free food grain. The global fast food culture, specifically in the rich nations, have pushed the health perspectives far behind leaving mankind out of sorts. Unwholesome diets and destructive eating habits have mustered up obesity, acute weight gain, BMI (body mass index) imbalance and sort of other illnesses among people in recent times. In the view of resounding millet benefits for weight loss, people these days are now moving over to millet consumption.
You might not be a millet fan but if you have been shying away from millet consumption just for the sake of taste, we will show you the evidence why you should add millets to your dietary plan. If you are looking forward to setting up a healthy diet plan for weight loss, we advise you to cast an eye over the 7 different types of millets and how adding them to your weight loss regime can show you the way to better health perspectives.
Millets and Their Types
Millets are said to be the coarse food grains and have been part of traditional food culture for the last five thousand years. Alongside containing high nutritional values within, millets are the rich source of proteins, minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Millets have been the primary part of a poor man’s meal because of their low demand, affordability, and sheer availability. It took time for health and wellness experts to identify the health benefits of millets. But now when the salubrious values of millets are exposed to the world, you should tend to know more about this humble food grain just to figure out how it can benefit your wellness and weight loss plan.
Millets have usually been divided into two broad categories as following:
1- Naked Millets Grains
Naked millet grains are the popular types of millets and are generally devoid of the hard shell on the top and indigestible husk. Bajra, Jowar and Ragi are the three different varieties of the millets that fall under naked millet types. This husk free millets type requires either no processing or in some instances very less processing after harvest. The naked millets are ready to be consumed right after harvesting. However, the naked millets need to be cleaned proper before you get them to your eating bowl. Because of the easy cultivation and ease of use, processing and consumption, the naked millet grains are quite popular.
2. Husked Millets Grains
The second type of millets is said to be husked millet grains, which as the name suggests, contain indigestible seed coating and have a hard shell on the top. Husked millet grains need to be free of the husk before one gets them ready for consumption. Foxtail millets, Kodo millets and Little millets are the primary three varieties of the husked millets. Due to unavailability of the mechanized processing, these types of millets require manual cleaning approach. The tedious manual processing and husk on the top make husked millets unfavourable for cultivation and consumption. Since manual processing is involved, they cost a bit more than what naked millets cost.
Husked Millets Grains are Healthier Food Choice for Weight Loss
Despite being unfeasible for cultivation and processing, husked millets are widely grown and consumed globally because of exceptional health benefits of millets. They contain a host of nutritional values particularly for weight loss. They are rich in iron, calcium, phosphorus and fibre. Since fibre rich foods take time to digest, husked millets grains can go well along your weight loss dietary plan. Moreover, adding husked millets in your daily meal plan can save you from diabetes and sort of other glucose disorders.
Other Popular Types of Millets
As far as cultivation is concerned, millets are easier to grow than any other crop. Since they are grown in the rainy season, they don’t lean more on the ground water resources for irrigation. Thus, millets can be grown without putting already diminishing water resources under pressure. Since millets can grow well without much use of pesticides, insecticides and fly sprays, their end-consumer cost is lower than any other food grain available around.
Different types of millets are of different shapes and sizes. Besides the two primary varieties of millets as mentioned above, we are putting forth 7 more types of millets that you can include in your daily dietary chart to set up a workable weight loss plan.
Brush up on the other 5 popular types of millets as given below:
I) Buckwheat Millet
Buckwheat is one of the most popular types of millets that health and wellness experts advise to consume if you have intended to lose weight. This could also be one of the favorite choices of healthy food for those struggling with diabetes, low blood pressure and cardiovascular disorders. Apart from holding key benefits for weight loss, the Buckwheat millet can help you fight against several illnesses like childhood asthma, gallstones and cancer-causing disorders.
II) Little Millet
Little millet is another type of millet that you can pick out as an option to manage your excessive weight gain. It helps your metabolism to melt down the fat wrapped around your belly, waist and thighs. Though little millet tastes not so good, it is easy to consume and digest. Replacing it with rice in your meal plan will help you decrease your carbs intake resulting in healthy weight loss management. Little millet benefits your weight loss journey, but it does more to fulfil your body’s mineral requirement as a potassium, zinc, calcium and iron supplement. Since it is rich in Vitamin B, it works well as an antioxidant to keep your health routine on track alongside saving you from mild illnesses occurring out of low immunity.
III) Foxtail Millet
Another popular type of millet is Foxtail millet which in the native Indian terminology is known as kakum or kangni. It contains healthy carbohydrates within which can help you balance your blood sugar to save yourself from the risk of diabetes. Its iron and calcium richness work as an immunity booster which can further help your body fight against the majority of sicknesses. It is one of the healthy kinds of millets when weight loss is concerned as its pivotal role in losing excess weight. Foxtail millet can help you regulate your blood cholesterol which is majorly responsible for excessive weight gain and BMI imbalance.
IV) Pearl Millet/Bajra
Bajra, which is majorly consumed in the rural parts of India in the northern region, is another popular type of millet that is worth adding to your daily meal plan. This millet type is nutrients-rich and provides your body with the necessary potion to your mineral-deficient body. Among all the varieties of millets available, the pearl millet is a bit more palate-pleasing than other types of millets. From calcium to magnesium and proteins to fibre, Bajra is known to be a healthy substitute for rice in the winter when nourishment is your priority. Besides helping you fight against diabetes, practicing pearl millet consumption can add high nutritious value to your meal. your health, such as helping you fight against Type II Diabetes.
V) Finger Millet/Ragi
Finger millet, which natives call as Ragi, is another well-known type of millet. It is consumed more in the countryside, i.e., the interiors of the country. Finger millet benefits a lot when it comes to fulfilling your body’s protein requirements. Moreover, you can have it on your plate as a healthier substitute for rice and wheat when you are aiming at your body weight management. It is gluten free and high in amino acids. It goes well with the health and wellness plan of your child as it nourishes growing children with brain development.
Irrespective of the type of millets you consume, all are incredibly low in calories. Thus, they can be your aid to your weight loss plan and do well to your intent of managing the excessive calorie intake. Adding this sheerly available superfood to your weight loss regime can help you lead a healthy life.
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