Finger Millet

Finger Millet is a whole grain that is gluten-free and a staple in South India. It has high fiber content that helps with weight loss and diabetes. It’s full of calcium, good carbs, amino acids and Vitamin D. It’s full of calcium, good carbs, amino acids and Vitamin D. Before the 1950 grains like barley, brown rice, amaranth and ragi were staples in our traditional diet. A whole grain has all three parts of the kernel the bran, germ and endosperm. Refined grains are not processed so that endosperm can be retained.

Finger Millet

Ragi is a great source of good carbohydrates and since it is too tiny to be processed it is mostly consumed in its purest form. Ragi is at the pinnacle of food grains. The cereal is free of gluten and highly suitable for those who are gluten or lactose intolerant. Besides this it can easily become a part of your daily diet in the form of chapatis or as porridge for breakfast. Roasting the Ragi before using it which gives it a great nutty flavour. It takes on the flavour of the dish. You can use different types of sugars like palm sugar or brown sugar to give it a kick and enhance the taste.

It is one of the best non-dairy sources of calcium. According to the National Institute of Nutrition in India, 100 grams contains 344 mg calcium. Calcium is critical for healthy bones and teeth and prevention of osteoporosis – a disease which weakens the bones. The seed coat is abundant in polyphenols as compared to rice, maize or wheat. The low glycemic index lessens food cravings and maintains the digestion process consequently keeping blood sugar within the safe range.

Finger Millet