It’s summer time! The heat is on and it’s not just uncomfortable, it can lead to a variety of illnesses. In India, summer is the hottest season of the year, typically from March to June. The heat affects the entire body, including the skin, eyes and digestive system. Without proper precautions, the intense heat and dryness can cause common summer illnesses. It is necessary to adjust our diets based on the weather by incorporating healthy and nutritious summer food to avoid common summer illnesses.

The consumption of Millets is known to aid in rehydration, provide cooling effects, and offer an energy boost. This blog aims to answer common questions regarding millets in the summer season, including which types of millets are best suited for consumption during hot weather.

Tips for choosing the right millets for the summer food

Millets are pretty popular in India and there are a lot of different kinds. It’s important to know which ones are easy to digest, which ones are hard to digest, which ones are easy to make, and which ones are good for different seasons, depending on the weather.

During summers, it is recommended to consume millets that have cooling properties. The best millets for summers are Jowar, Ragi, Foxtail millet, Barnyard millet, and Kodo millet.

Why are millets important?

If you’re looking for a way to stay healthy during the summer, millets are a great option. They’re high in nutrients and can help prevent heat exhaustion, migraines, and sunstrokes. Plus, they’re great for controlling blood pressure and blood sugar.

The glycemic index (GI) measures the rate at which a food causes blood sugar levels to rise. Only carbohydrate foods have one GI, while whole foods such as oils, fats and meats do not. Nevertheless, they can influence the blood glucose levels of diabetics.

Eating summer food with low GI tends to cause a gradual rise in blood glucose levels in the body, while whole foods with high GI tend to cause a rapid rise in blood glucose levels.

For diabetics, eating foods high in GI can make it difficult to control blood sugar levels.

Millet has been shown to have a low glycemic index, with values between 54 and 68 reported for various species such as foxtail millet, little millet, finger millet and pearl millet.

Which is healthier for a healthy living, millet or rice?

Although Rice has many health benefits, millet is a healthier alternative for those with obesity or diabetes. Here are the reasons why millet is better than rice.

Dietary fiber– Millet is a better source of dietary fiber than rice, making it a healthier option for those looking to lose weight.

Higher protein content– Rice has very little protein content and is rich in carbohydrates, making it an unhealthy option compared to millets which are rich in both dietary fiber and protein.

Vitamins and Minerals– Thinking about which one is better in terms of vitamins and minerals- rice or millets? It turns out that millets have more vitamins and minerals than rice.

Therefore, the primary distinction amid the two lies in their significance and nutritional composition.

Nutritional Profile of Millets and Rice:

This table provides a comparison of millets and rice, including an answer to the question of whether millet is better than rice. Information is given on the nutritional composition of each. One serving of cooked millet and rice will produce:

Numerous nutritionists and dieticians have long recommended the consumption of natural foods as the optimal way to keep our bodies in balance. In an effort to make this suggestion more appealing, there has been a surge in recipes that replace wheat and rice with millets in popular dishes. Millets can be used to create a variety of items, including cakes, millet noodles, cookies, dosa, khichdi, brownies, pav bhaji, and roti.

Unfortunately, contemporary culture is moving towards unhealthy eating habits. Incorporating high-nutrient foods like millets into your child’s diet is recommended to promote lifelong fitness. Moreover, millets can be prepared in a variety of exciting ways and served as both savory and sweet dishes, making them a nutritious option. So, choose a healthy millet recipe and allow your child to enjoy the scrumptious taste with numerous health advantages.