Millets for Weight Loss - Types and It's Health Benefits

Millets for Weight Loss - Types and It's Health Benefits

Aug 31, 2023Radesh Boopathy

Today, many are health conscious and wish to maintain an ideal weight. You may explore ways to reduce the excess kilos if you are at risk of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, owing to a family history or a sedentary lifestyle. You may have tried many different diets, but one of the best and healthiest way to weight loss is by adding millet-based food to your daily diet. What is the wow factor in millets?
Let’s learn all about them. 

What is Millet?

Millets are healthy grains with a rich history. They have been cultivated for thousands of years, even in harsh conditions, which made them an easily available staple food to our ancestors. 

Millets were an excellent source of nutrition for those doing hard labour. Today, the health benefits of millets are being rediscovered and incorporated into the modern diet. They are particularly recommended for those who have set weight loss goals or want to prevent lifestyle-related diseases like diabetes. 

Health Benefits of Millets 

Millets contain complex carbohydrates that have a higher proportion of fibre and are digested slowly. They keep you feeling full for longer, helping you resist the temptation to snack between meals. As the carbohydrates break down, they steadily release energy, which helps prevent spikes in blood sugar levels and sudden cravings. 

Being fibre-rich, millets also have lower caloric density, you can eat more but consume fewer calories. Fibre plays an important role in appetite control and healthy digestion. It makes you feel satiated while preventing low-energy moments that can lead to poor food choices. Millets are a good source of protein & excellent source of vitamins and minerals. which helps you to maintain lean muscle mass as you reduce weight. 

This ensures that you get the right nutrition even while you are on a calorie restricted diet. All of this make millets a wholesome choice for both nutrition and weight loss.

Types of Millet for Weight Loss

There are several types of millet. Let’s discover which varieties are the best choices for weight loss.

1. Finger Millet - Ragi

Finger Millet Ragi is rich in iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, amino acids, and B-group vitamins (especially B1, B2, and B6). Its low glycemic index helps you stabilise your energy levels and control your cravings. It also contains certain compounds that may increase metabolism, which could help you burn more calories and contribute to weight loss. 

Today, you can savour the goodness of Ragi in all-time favourite foods like millet noodles, pasta, and vermicelli. Even if you have little time to cook, you can make these easily and enjoy the health benefits of Finger Millet.

2. Pearl Millet - Bajra

Pearl Millet Bajra is an excellent source of carbohydrates, protein, B-group vitamins, iron, magnesium, and phosphorous. The fibre-rich millet has a low glycemic index, which helps you stay energetic while eating healthy. You can taste Bajra even in the form like millet noodles, millet pasta, and millet vermicelli. Include millet in your diet, it will helps to weight loss.

3. Sorghum Millet - Jowar

Sorghum Millet Jowar is packed with nutrients such as, protein, iron, carbohydrates, phosphorous, magnesium, amino acids, B-group vitamins (particularly B1, B2, and B6), and Vitamin E. Sorghum millet has high nutrient density it helps you eat healthy while keeping a watch on calories. Jowar is available in the form of millet noodles, millet pasta, and millet vermicelli. You can cook in a jiffy and include in your daily diet.  Enjoy the incredible health benefits of Jowar, every day.

4. Foxtail Millet - Kangni

Foxtail millets are loaded with B-group vitamins (particularly B1 and B3), Vitamin A, antioxidants, iron, magnesium, and phosphorous. They also have the ideal balance of macronutrients – carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats, which helps you feel satiated and maintain stable energy levels, so you don’t feel the urge to eat between meals. 

5. Kodo Millet - Koden

Kodo millet also a power-packed source of B-group vitamins (B3, B6, and folic acid), calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. Being a nutrient-dense food, it helps you enjoy more health benefits while consuming fewer calories. Its high dietary fibre content promotes slower digestion and a feeling of fullness while preventing energy dips that are one of the biggest reasons behind excessive eating. 

Conclusion

Millets are one of the best foods for weight loss, you can choose any millet for your convenience, it is also important to have an overall balanced diet, while incorporating regular exercise. It is advisable to consult a doctor or a nutritionist to understand which millet is best suited for you and what quantity you can consume every day.

Get ready to lose the extra kilos with the power of millets. Achieve your weight loss goals while feeling your energetic best, every day!

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