Gehun Ka Atta or whole Wheat flour has been an integral part of India’s tradition. Remember eating Panjiri bhog – a prasad made by dry roasting wheat flour in Cow ghee, mixed with sugar, Tulasi patta and dry fruits and served after a Katha or at a temple. Rings a bell, right? Mouthwatering!

Our ancestors were aware of the nutritional benefits of whole wheat and so they introduced it into our diet in various forms like Atta Gond ladoos, Atte ka halwa/pudding, kheer, poori, parathas, cheelas, peethas, daliya and so on. The list is endless and has been evolving as per our diet changes.

Today, we will look into What Is Whole Wheat Atta? And why is it good for health?

It can’t be ignored that the preferable choice was always the atta made from whole wheat and not just wheat! While both might appear and taste alike, they are different.

Let’s explore more about whole Wheat Atta and its place in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

What is Whole Wheat Atta?

Whole wheat’s literal meaning would be a grain containing all of its 3 parts: Bran, Germ and Endosperm. The endosperm has the protein; the bran and germ have the vitamins and minerals, making whole wheat a nutrient-rich complex.

You might think that you have been eating whole wheat atta all along, so what’s new?

Well, the most readily available atta that enlists only “wheat” as its ingredient, lacks the bran and germ parts of the wheat. Moreover, the high-speed machine grinding of wheat to make atta further reduces its nutritional quality.

Because the heat produced during processing destroys the nutrients. The end product is a white fluffy fine powder high in gluten and glycemic index, low in fibre and protein.

On the other hand, the whole wheat when stone ground slowly to make atta, contains all three parts: germ, bran and endosperm. Thus, whole wheat atta contains more protein, fibres and also minerals and vitamins.

They also have low gluten or easily digestible gluten and low glycemic index. This gives an edge to the whole wheat atta over the regular wheat atta.

Moving on, we will now discuss the health benefits of whole wheat atta.

7 Benefits of Whole Wheat Atta

Let’s start with a fact! Do you know an average human requires about 56 grams of protein per day? And do you know you can get it from whole wheat?

Yes, you can! The protein content of whole wheat Khapli atta is 14 grams per 100 grams of flour. Just include whole wheat or whole grains in your meals along with other dishes and enjoy a healthy high protein satiating meal.

Alright, let’s see the benefits of whole wheat atta now.

1.   Whole wheat atta is high in protein

As stated above, whole wheat atta is an excellent source of plant-based protein, which is highly recommended by nutritionists these days. You can get 30% of your daily protein intake from whole wheat.

2.   Helps in keeping bones strong

Whole wheat is also a great source of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium which are helpful in maintaining good bone health.

3.   They are good for the skin

Whole wheat has Niacin, Vit B3 and zinc. They are essential to fight free radicals and the damage done by the sun’s rays.

4.   They help in maintaining good gut health

The high bran and germ content in whole wheat helps in harbouring healthy bacteria in the gut. The starch in the wheat supports their growth and maintains an optimum amount of good bacteria in the gut.

5.   The Low glycemic index makes them suitable to regulate blood sugar levels

Whole Wheat atta has a lower GI than finely processed atta or maida. Low GI levels mean the glucose is released at a slower rate after undergoing glycolysis. This prevents the sudden peak in blood sugar levels.

6.   High fibre content relieves constipation and gut cleansing

The whole wheat atta is loaded with high dietary fibres that are essential for a smooth bowel movement, thus improving digestion and relieves from constipation.

7.   The Vitamins and Minerals enhance immunity

The vitamins and minerals present in the flour made from whole wheat support the immune system which protects the body from various infections.

Aren’t you motivated now to include whole wheat atta in your diet right away? We are too! Next up are tips to help you find the best wheat atta among the heaps of options available in the market.

10 Tips To Avoid The Worst And Choose The Best In The Market 2023

Any superstore has an average of 20 wheat atta varieties lined up neatly on shelves. They all look attractive to look at with different claims printed on them. It can be overwhelming to look at each one individually.

So, use these 10 tips to skim through the contents and pick up the best.

1. Check the Ingredient

The first thing to look for is the ingredient mentioned on the packaging. It should be Whole wheat and not just wheat.

Some brands mention the specific wheat variety used to make the atta. For here TwoBrother’s Khapli Wheat Atta clearly mentions the whole wheat as Khapli.

Always remember, the more specific the wheat name, the better the flour quality.

2. Check For Minimal Processing

Machine-processed atta must be avoided completely. If there aren’t any options for stone-milled atta, then look for the method used to make the atta. The less the process involved, the healthier is atta.

3. Check Gluten Content

Some might like gluten, and some may not. In case of gluten tolerance always check for the gluten content. To be safe look for options that have low gluten. Here’s an article that will guide you to select Atta based on gluten preference. (LINK Gluten Article Here)

4. Check And Avoid Preservatives or Chemical Added Atta

To increase the shelf life preservatives and chemicals are added to atta. Don’t forget to check for their presence. As a thumb rule, the freshly packed atta is the healthier atta.

5. Check the Manufactured and Expiry date

This is the continuation of the above point to put more emphasis on not buying old packs or the atta close to the expiry date. As the nutrients are in higher quantities in fresh atta and degrade over time.

6. Check Whether The brand Is Certified Or Reputable

Check for the certificates and approvals mentioned on the product to ensure it is safe to consume and has been made as per food grade standards. A few examples are IAS, IAF, BQSR, USAC, FSSAI, etc.

7. Select the Organic Atta

Organic atta is free from pesticides and preservatives making it a healthier option.

8. Check Your Needs

Address your needs: is it weight loss, diabetes, gluten-free, baking or pasta etc? Select the type of wheat atta accordingly. Different wheat types have different properties.

9. Look for Personal Taste And Texture

If you cook roti, bread or pancakes? Then you are inclined to select the wheat that has a sweeter taste. Therefore, address the taste profile and make your choice.

10. Check The Nutritional content

Whole wheat will always have a higher nutrient content. Compare one or two products and see the difference. Make an informed decision, not vague!

Pro Tip: if you aren’t sure of the quality, buy a smaller quantity and try it out.

Takeaway!

You have reached the end of the road, “ What Is Whole Wheat Atta? And why is it good for health?”. Whole wheat atta contains bran, germ and endosperm. They are what makes the atta worthwhile the hassle of cultivating, harvesting, cleaning and stone grounding. All the efforts are done to preserve the nutrients in wheat atta.

We hope you will find the best quality wheat atta by using the information shared above. For more informational content keep visiting TwoBrothers. Click to see how we prepare our Organic Emmer Wheat Khapli Atta.

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