What Is Millet? Nutrition, Benefits.
Types of millet
There are different types of millet. Some of the more common varieties include:
- pearl (Pennisetum glaucum)
- finger (Eleusine coracana)
- foxtail (Setaria italica)
- proso (Panicum miliaceum)
- barnyard (Echinochloa utilis)
Benefits of millets for people with diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.
In people with type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce any insulin. In people with type 2 diabetes, the body either produces very little insulin or is less sensitive to its effects.
Diet plays an important role in the management of both types of diabetes.
Individuals with diabetes can eat millets as part of a healthful, balanced diet. A qualified dietitian can help a person develop a nutritious meal plan that incorporates millets.
It’s easy to be fooled by millet if you’ve ever looked at a scoop of bird seed and thought, “How can humans and birds possibly eat the same thing?” Millet has many applications in feed for animals, but is also a wonderful gluten-free grain with which we can cook. Like quinoa and amaranth, millet is actually a seed that cooks like a grain.
Millet can be prepared like rice, substituted for potatoes when cooked with more liquid, and make a great addition to grain bread. Whole grain millet is a relatively quick cooking grain, ready in less than 30 minutes. Because of this, it’s often a go-to for those fast dinners.
This pseudograin also makes a great bed for roasted vegetables, curries, and stews. Lightly toast millet before cooking to enhance the earthy, nutty flavor. Leftover millet can be tossed in salads or added to your morning eggs ( I love adding about ½ cup of cooked millet to frittatas – it’s a great way to add bulk).
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