If you are new to millets, then you might have various questions regarding their proper consumption. Such as:

What are the various types of millets?

Can I eat millets in summer? 

What are summer millets? And what are the benefits of eating millets in summer? 

So, with this blog post, we are ready to answer all these common questions. Read the post to know more about summer millets. And what are some interesting recipes to include millets in your diet during summer? 

Which millets are best for summer?

• Sorghum (Jowar),
• Finger millet (Ragi),
• Foxtail millet,
• Barnyard millet
• Kodo millet all have body-cooling properties.

They are the ideal millets to include in your diet during the summer season. 

What are the benefits of including summer millets in your diet?

1.Keeps your body cool

As mentioned earlier, summer millets have amazing body cooling properties. They keep our body cool in hot weather and help in keeping our body temperature at an optimum level. 

2.Millets help in preventing many summer-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, etc. 

Millets are high in nutrients. They contain a good amount of magnesium, iron and potassium. Millets help in maintaining electrolytic balance and potassium levels in the body. Moreover, they help a lot in maintaining good hydration levels. With all these benefits, they work great in preventing many summer-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke in the body. 

3.Boosts energy

Summer brings a sense of exhaustion and lethargy. Many of us do not have good appetite during summer and experience reduced energy levels due to the increase in temperature. Considering this factor, millets seem like a great option to include in our diet. They are easy to digest and boost energy too. 

4.Millets play a vital role in blood pressure regulation

High temperature causes electrolyte imbalance and can lead to an imbalance in blood pressure. Millets are a good source of magnesium and potassium. Magnesium helps to reduce the increased blood pressure and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. 

5.Millets help maintain blood sugar levels in diabetics

Millets have a low GI index. They contain high amounts of fiber and absorb slowly in the blood. Millets prevent sugar spikes and help in maintaining sugar levels. Diabetic patients are prone to suffer from various problems (like high blood sugar levels) during summer, thus including millets in their diet is a great way to maintain blood sugar levels and avoid complications. 

Millets recipe ideas for summer

• Millets summer salad
• Jowar Idli
• Ragi Dosa
• Millet summer drinks (Ragi malt, Ragi mango smoothies etc.)
• Millet khichdi
• Jowar flakes with fruits

Tips to maximize millet benefits during summer

• Soak the millets before cooking. You can soak it either overnight or at least for 6-8 hours. You can also try the fermentation method during summer for millets. These things help in better nutrient absorption and promote easy digestion.
• Drink plenty of water. It helps in maintaining a good hydration level in the body during summer and avoids digestive issues like gas and bloating.
• Limit the intake of millets 2-3 times a week. Include varieties of grains (rice, wheat, millets etc.) in your diet to maintain a good nutritional balance.

What are various types of millets?

Millets come in various varieties. They are classified into mainly two categories: major millets and minor millets. Major Millet includes Sorghum (Jowar), pearl millet (Bajra) and Finger millet (Ragi). Foxtail millet, Kodo millet, Barnyard millet, little millet and proso millet are called minor millet. 

Why is it important to consume different millets according to season?

Our ancient Ayurveda system put a strong emphasis on following the “Ritucharya” practice to keep our bodies healthy with seasonal variations. In simple words, it focuses on following certain lifestyle practices and including season-appropriate foods in our diet to build resilience in the body for changing climatic conditions during different seasons.

The same principle applies to millets as well. Among different types of millet, some millets have body-cooling properties, while some have body-heating properties. If you eat “heating millets” during summer, then it may cause an adverse effect on your body and vice versa is also true. Thus, it is important to consume millet according to the season. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, millets are great grains to include in your diet during summer. If you keep a creative approach, you can try various innovative summer recipes for enhancing taste and make the entire process fun and exciting.