Madurai :

The food habits of the modern society are decided by companies that manufacture and process food. However, it is crucial to bring back some of our traditional food varieties back, including the nutrition-rich millet.

Nowadays, millets are included in bakery products like bread and bun to ensure healthier consumption of food. Millet varieties like Kuthiraivali, Varagu and Samai are used to prepare noodles. Consumption to millets is believed to help reduce chances of cancer and diabetes, and also controls obesity since it contains good amounts of fiber, protein and minerals.

S Kanchana, head of the food science and nutrition department at Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU), said, “We conducted a training programme two months back for entrepreneurs to teach them about the millets that can be used in bakery products. Millets like Varagu, Thenai and Kuthiraivali has good amount of fibre and protein. Moroever, people who consume millets are 20% to 30% less likely to develop insulin resistance and diabetes-related diseases.”

Health mixes containing millets are sold at the Uzhavan Unavagam, or farmers canteen. Small millets like Thenai, Samai, Kuthiraivali and Varagu are low in glycemic index, which helps maintain blood sugar levels.

V K Balaji, 43, a farmer who runs a snack stall at Uzhavan Unavagam said, “We prepare noodles and snack items using small millets. Children and old alike enjoy consuming snacks made of these millets. It helps to maintain blood sugar levels and hence it is advisable to consume millets”.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / by Karishma Ravindran, TNN / April 01st, 2015