Health Benefits of Millet Based Snacks
Millet is a highly nutritious cereal grain that is rich in proteins, fibers, minerals and anti-oxidants. It is naturally gluten-free and hence easy to digest. Millet contains important nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus, and iron. Magnesium helps regulate blood pressure and bone health while phosphorus and iron are important for energy production in the body and oxygen transportation respectively. Millet is a good source of B-complex vitamins like niacin, thiamin and folate. These B vitamins play a key role in converting food to energy. Folate is especially important for women during pregnancy for the development of the baby. Millet is also a good source of antioxidants like polyphenols, phytic acid and ferulic acid. These antioxidants help reduce inflammation in the body and decrease risks of many lifestyle diseases.
Millet Based Snack Options
With millet gaining popularity as a healthy whole grain, many snack manufacturers are now exploring innovative Millet Based Snacks options. Some of the most common millet snacks available in the market include -
Millet Roasted Chips: Millet grains are cleaned, soaked, dried and then roasted to perfection to make crunchy millet chips. These chips are low in calories and high in fiber compared to traditional chips made from potato or corn. The roasting brings out a lovely nutty flavor in millet chips.
Millet Puffs:Dried millet grains are roasted and puffed using high temperature to make light and airy millet puffs. These puffs have a crispy texture and nutty taste. Millet puffs make for a satisfying crunchy snack that is filling and wholesome.
Millet Granola Bars: Granola bars are a popular on-the-go snack option. Millet granola bars are prepared by mixing millet flakes with nuts, dried fruits and honey binder. They are baked to perfection for a crunchy texture outside and a soft interior. Millet granola bars provide sustainable energy and keep hunger pangs at bay for long hours.
Millet Multigrain Bars: For variety, multigrain millet bars combine millet with grains like oats, quinoa and buckwheat. Such multigrain bars offer a diversity of nutrients from different whole grains. They have a dense texture and higher fiber-protein content than regular granola bars.
Roasted Salted Millet: Raw millet grains are sun dried and then roasted with a sprinkling of sea salt. This brings out the natural nutty and buttery flavors of millet. Roasted salted millet can be enjoyed as a zero oil crunchy snack or added to breakfast cereals, salads or curries as a nutritional topping.
Millet Energy Bites: Also known as millet fudge bites or millet truffles, these snacks prepare through mixing millet flakes with nut butter, seeds, dried fruits and honey to form dough balls. The energy bites can be rolled in extra nuts or desiccated coconut for texture. They make for a satiating and nutrient-dense snack that travel easily too.
Millet Popped Sorghum: Popped sorghum or jowar is a popular snack in Indian kitchens to replace popcorn. Now millet popped sorghum mixes the nutrition of millet with the popcorn like texture of popped sorghum. Lightly salted millet popped sorghum makes for a unique crunchy snack experience.
Sprouted Millet Idli/Dosa Batter: Sprouted millet batter for iconic South Indian breakfast items like idli and dosa is gaining popularity for its ease of digestion and high nutrition value. Sprouted millet idlis and dosas not only satisfy the taste buds but also energize the body from within through its healthy carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Millet Mudcake/Muffins: Mini millet mudcakes or millet corn muffins are wholesome snack options that can be enjoyed anytime. Made with ingredients like wheat flour, cornmeal, oats and raisins along with grated carrots and nuts, these snacks provide steady complex carbs and fiber while tasting delicious.
Benefits of Millett Based Snacks
The numerous healthy millet based snacks available today offer several benefits over traditional ultra-processed snacks:
- Naturally gluten-free - For people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, millet snacks provide an ideal substitution.
- High fiber and low glycemic load - Millet snacks keep hunger and cravings at bay through slow releasing of energy due to fiber. This aids weight management.
- Rich in protein - Along with carbs, millet based snacks boostsatiety and muscle growth with protein content.
- Low calorie and fat - Most millet snacks contain no added colors, flavors or oils. They are significantly lower in calories than fried snacks.
- Complete nutrition boost - Snacking on nutritious millet grains, whole grains, nuts and seeds brings a balanced mix of macro and micronutrients to the diet.
- Easy transport - Portable options like granola bars and energy bites make millet snacks a convenient choice for on-the-go lifestyles.
With its amazing nutritional profile and versatile cooking nature, millet is emerging as a top-choice whole grain for inventing tasty, filling yet healthy snacking options. From protein-rich chips and puffs to nutrient-dense bars and bites, millet based snacks satisfy cravings brilliantly without compromising health. They can effectively replace high-calorie junk snacks in the daily diet.
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About Author:
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)
