Millets for a Healthy Lifestyle: Discovering the Benefits of this Super Grain
Are you bored of the same old diets and looking for a healthier alternative to junk food? Then you need to try millets – the super grain that is taking the food industry by storm. Millets are gluten-free, non-acidic and easy to digest, and are packed with essential nutrients, minerals, and proteins. But that’s not all, millets are great for people with diabetes and can even help with weight loss. Don’t believe us? Just ask Rajiv Raj Jain.
Jain was a software developer on the verge of being put on daily insulin shots until he discovered the power of millets. He not only reversed his medical condition but also lost 40kg and is now living life to the fullest. Jain’s experience inspired him to start his own business that produces and sells snacks made from millets. His products are now a hit and sales have doubled in just three months.
But Jain is not the only one making waves in the millet industry, over 100 entrepreneurs, including exporters, are showcasing ready to eat and ready to cook products made from millets at an exhibition organised by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The event showcases an array of millet versions of popular snacks like khakhra, laddoos, cookies, muffins, poha, namkeen and bhujia, alongside ready to cook upma, biryani, khichdi, kheer, kesari bhaat, bisi bele bhaat and other delicacies.
Santosh Rane, sales manager of a Pune-based enterprise, claims that his products contain no butter, preservatives, added sugar, or salt. Most of the snacks sold by his enterprise are natural farm produce and are naturally gluten-free. The stall showcases breakfast cereal, millet bars, and millet baking products like chocolate millet cake mix, vanilla millet cake mix, and brownie millet mix. These products are a powerhouse of essential nutrients, minerals, and proteins, and are perfect for anyone who wants to snack healthy.
Millets not only make great snacks, but they also make great meals. Bajra, jowar roti packs are available alongside ready-to-cook upma, biryani, khichdi, kheer, kesari bhaat, bisi bele bhaat, and other delicacies. Chef Manjit Singh Gill, president of the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations, highlighted that live demos of millet recipes were organised for sellers and buyers at the exhibition to showcase how millets can be used to make a variety of food items.
M P Vijay, deputy general manager of APEDA, believes that millet products can be healthier alternatives to junk foods and maida products. The exhibition aims to showcase the variety of millet products available and encourage buyers to opt for taste and health. The exhibition even coincided with PM Narendra Modi’s address at the Global Millets (Shree Anna) conference, highlighting the international attention millets are receiving.
Millets are not just a trend, but a lifestyle choice that can have long-lasting benefits. So, take a bite and discover the wonders of the super grain!
