What has made grains enter the food mainstream and why are all food marketers jumping on the bandwagon? There must be something significant that is making each food category compete to include this item in one form or another. From products made for children to items intended for adults going to the gym or the sports ring, they are part of every package today.
The interesting twist is that our home food marketers have been selling us this energy source for many years, but we haven’t been listening carefully.
Cereals like Upma, Poha provide not only flavor but also immense health benefits. Today you can access Upma mix ready to cook.
Foxtail Millets Upma Mix: Regular use of foxtail is a good protection against coronary heart disease and reduces the chances of cardiac arrest and deaths. Being a food suitable for diabetics, it contains a good amount of phenolic (a strong antioxidant) that is used to eliminate toxins from the body. People who eat wheat are not left with very few options as most of the products in the market like cookies, bakery items like bread etc. are made from wheat. As a gluten-free diet, foxtail millet is a perfect food for people with celiac disease, as it promotes digestion, increases energy levels and helps maintain cholesterol levels.
Sooji Rava Upma Mix: Sooji is very good for diabetics or those who want to lose weight. Sooji is made from durum wheat and is slow digesting so it maintains energy for a longer period of time.
Daliya Wheat Upma Mix: An excellent source of dietary fiber, Daliya is one of the best alternatives to wheat. Helps in weight loss, diabetes and prevents constipation. It is also used as a weaning food, to transition babies from breast milk to semi-solid foods. Being rich in protein, it helps build muscles.
Cereals don’t need to be equated with oatmeal. Cereals like puffed rice are simply stores of health. When you need to control your weight without being too hungry and without leaving an empty stomach, it is best to eat a good organic cereal like puffed rice, also called nel pori or aralu in the local language. It is a very good source of potassium, zinc, copper, thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, and manganese. The presence of magnesium helps in enzyme function, increases energy, strengthens the heart muscles, prevents strokes and prevents heart attacks. Magnesium is also linked to the treatment of depression. You can make Bhel Puri with this puffed rice.
Many recipes that are often sacrificed by weight-conscious people can be easily remade with grains like Wheat Daliya, Foxtail Millets, Rava Sooji, and Puffed Paddy.
It is an added advantage when the cereals are organic. Organic crops are not exposed to synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and petroleum-based fertilizers or sewage sludge. Organic farming practices include the use of natural fertilizers like compost and manure to feed the soil and plants. Crop rotation, mulching and tillage are used to control weeds, while insects are controlled by natural methods such as traps and birds.
Enjoy the comfort of organic cereals and the health that goes with them.