Food trends are always changing, people are now are more into the healthy bandwagon, they want to go beyond the roti, chawal, dal drift. There are just so many grains out there to explore and it is not something very new, it has been a part of your ancestor’s pantry for ages, but we just got so caught up with the tried and tested and processed grains, that we ignored them.

But there are so many healthy grains to add to your diet. Each one with impressive nutritional profiles, such as ragi, barley, brown rice, quinoa, and amaranth. So, what is a whole grain? It is called a whole grain as it retains the complete grain (while processing) such as the bran, germ, and endosperm. Refined grains, on the other hand, keeps the endosperm only. So, the whole grain is much healthier than your average refined grain.

Ragi is one of the healthiest grain in the world as it is full of nutrients especially chock-a-block with fiber.  It is suitable for Indian weather conditions and is easily available. There are many ragi health benefits, which should convince you to add this wholesome grain to your diet.

Ragi undergoes a process of spouting, drying and then grinding it. Ragi is one of the few carbohydrates that is great for weight loss too. It is gluten-free too and is easy on your gut health. It is good for your baby as well. It is a versatile grain and can be made into a number of variations such as chapatis, porridge, drinks and so on.

If you want to know the effective health benefits of ragi, check it out here.

1. It is Calcium Enriched: Is milk the richest source of calcium? Most people think so, but it is a myth rather than gospel truth. As there are many countries in the world, which are the highest consumers of milk, yet they still suffer from calcium-deficient conditions such as osteoporosis. Also, for people who are lactose-intolerant or suffer from gastrointestinal conditions they are also told to abstain from drinking milk. Well, for people like them ragi is a great option to try. The National Institute of Nutrition in India states that 100 grams of Ragi contain a whopping 344 mg of calcium. Now you know why you need to add ragi to your diet.
2. It is a diabetes-friendly food: The ragi ’s seed coat is full of dietary fibers and polyphenols and hence are healthier than the other popular grains. It also has a low glycemic index that stops your blood sugar from increasing. It is also very filling, and you don’t keep looking for foods to stop your cravings. You can have it as the morning as a porridge or have ragi chapattis as a part of your lunch or dinner.
3. Reverse aging with ragi – Your diet impacts your skin in a big way. The presence of vital amino acids such as Methionine and Lysine is particularly great for your skin as they keep your skin young and wrinkle-free. Ragi also contains vitamin D, which helps assimilate calcium. These components help stay your skin wrinkle-free.
4. Lose weight with ragi: Ragi is full of dietary fiber and keeps you satiated curbing your cravings, for long hours. Are you someone who loves to reach out to unhealthy snacks to curb the hunger pangs? Well, if you are then you can try ragi, as it is nutritious, tasty and healthy. It will stop you from going overboard with your calorific consum[ption, you will eat less and yet be more satisfied. This will help you lose weight. Many people forego their breakfast in order to lose weight, but that’s where their dietary plans go for a toss, as you are much more likely to cheat when you are famished. If you break your fast with something healthy and filling, tell me would you still binge on junk food when your stomach is full? Not very likely, that is why most nutritionists ask you to have something substantial before heading out for late night dinners. When your stomach is not growling in protest you tend to make wiser food choices.
5. Fights Anemia: Many people take supplements like candies. If they suffer from dwindling hemoglobin levels and suffer from anemia they think popping iron capsules, can resolve the issue, but it is not so, in fact making proper dietary choices can help your body absorb the nutrient better. Try and sprout the grain to increase its nutrient value several notches higher. It has high vitamin C content that can help absorb the iron better. You can add ragi to your diet in a number of ways, such as dosa, ragi idlis, ragi laddoos, ragi kheer and so on.

1. Promotes relaxation: Stress and overeating are inextricably linked to each other. Yes, the more stressed you are, the more you binge on unhealthy foods, such as sugary treats, fried stuff. Ragi contains Tryptophan and amino acids which helps relax your body and also aids in a good nights sleep. You would notice that when you sleep inadequately the previous night, you tend to binge more the next day, you almost have sinful desserts beckoning you, “come gobble me up!” The best way to deal in such scenarios is to keep healthy foodstuff around you. Add some ragi cookies in your kitchen pantry, so you can dunk them in some milk and indulge in a guilt-free way.

I try and find more and more ways of adding ragi to my diet, well, if I am craving for something sweet after dinner I settle for a ragi kheer or a ragi laddoo instead of a store-bought chocolate brownie or something as sinful. This way I satiate my incorrigible sweet tooth and also help maintain optimal health. These recipes are super easy to concoct, I also add ragi to other nutritious grains to make a solid meal that caters to my nutritional needs with aplomb. So, are you a ragi fan too? Well, after reading about all the ragi benefits I am sure you are now! Eat more of this nutritious grain and share with us the different recipes of this healthy grain.