Diet diversity refers to the variety of nutrients included in our diet, not focusing on a single nutrient. With the help of diet diversity, we will be able to take advantage of the different nutritional benefits from various food sources. Despite thousands of food sources available to us, the potential to improve our diet is still immense, as rice, maize, and wheat, continue to be the most consumed staples.
How millets can help diversify our diet?
Millets are known for the variety of nutritious benefits it holds. Firstly, they are a natural source of iron, zinc, calcium, and B-complex vitamins. Also, they are rich in antioxidants and immunity boosters like polyphenols, lignans, phytosterols, etc. Millets have over 500 varieties. Some common ones known are: Pearl millet, sorghum, finger millet, Kodo, barnyard, little millet, and foxtail millet, etc.
The following nutrition information is provided by the USDA for a one-cup serving (about 174 grams) of cooked millet.
- Calories: 207
- Fat: 1.7g
- Sodium: 3.5mg
- Carbs: 41.2g
- Fiber: 2.3g
- Sugars: 0.2g
- Protein: 6.1g
As we can see, the composition of nutrition in millets is well balanced and perfect to be added to our daily diet.
Conclusion
If our diet lacks diversity, we tend to consume more starchy staples. Therefore, it is crucial to make millets a part of our regular diet get so that our body gets a wide range of nutrients that it needs. With the kind of lifestyle we follow, diet diversity is all the more important.
Start embracing the goodness of millets. Its high-fiber content aids in bowel movement, diabetes control & obesity. Its high level of magnesium can help keep blood pressure in control. Its potassium content can help keep hypertension away. Do we need more reasons to go back to our roots?
Organic Wisdom has brought to you many tasty and rich varieties of millets which can be part of your daily diet. We offer Ragi Idli Mix, Ragi Dosa Mix, Jowar Idli Mix, Multigrain Daliya, Multigrain Chilla Mix, Ragi Rava, Jowar Rava.