Millets were one of the most ancient grains consumed in most Indian households, but over the years, people switched to refined grains. However, in the last few years the narrative has changed, and now people are again falling back to the basics and including healthy foods like millets in their day-to-day diet. Well, if you too want your kids to develop a habit of eating healthy, then millets can be the best way to give them a wholesome bowl of nutrition. This is because these tiny, nutrient-packed seeds are not only rich in fiber but also contain essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Including them in your child’s diet can be a great way to support digestion, regulate blood sugar, and promote overall health. Here are some millets that you can add to your kids daily diet.
Pearl millet (Bajra)
Pearl millet, or Bajra, is a fiber powerhouse. Its insoluble fiber helps keep your child’s digestive system running smoothly and combats constipation, a common issue for kids. Bajra is also loaded with iron, which is essential for growing kids. You can serve Bajra in the form of porridge, flatbreads (roti), or even as a base for refreshing salads. Its mild, nutty taste makes it a kid-friendly option that’s easy to add to their meals.

Finger Millet (Ragi)
Ragi, or finger millet, is another fiber-rich millet that’s great for kids. It’s packed with soluble fiber, which helps slow down digestion and keeps your child feeling full longer. This is great for preventing overeating and helping your little one stay energized throughout the day. Ragi is also rich in calcium, vital for bone health. You can turn it into porridge, smoothies, pancakes, or even Ragi flour cakes, which kids usually love.
Foxtail Millet (Kakum)
Foxtail millet, also known as Kakum, is an excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, making it a digestive-friendly option for children. It promotes regular bowel movements and helps prevent constipation. In addition, foxtail millet is packed with protein, an essential nutrient for your child’s growth. It’s super versatile and can be cooked as upma, porridge, or tossed into a vegetable pulao for extra nutrition.
Sorghum (Jowar)
Jowar, or sorghum, is another fiber-rich, gluten-free millet that is perfect for children with gluten sensitivities. The fiber in jowar promotes gut health, helping keep your child’s digestion on track. This millet is also rich in B vitamins and minerals like magnesium and potassium, which are key for overall development. You can serve jowar in a variety of ways, from delicious rotis to cookies, or even stir it into soups and stews.

Barnyard Millet (Sanwa)
Barnyard millet, or Sanwa, is a great fiber-rich choice for your child’s diet. It contains both soluble and insoluble fibers, which are fantastic for digestion and keeping constipation at bay. Barnyard millet is also low in calories and a good source of iron, helping to prevent anemia. You can use it to make upma, porridge, or get creative and turn it into nutritious energy bars or millet cakes that kids will love.
Little Millet (Samai)
Little millet, or Samai, is another high-fiber option that helps with digestion and maintaining a healthy weight. It’s rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus, and iron. Little millet is perfect for making light, fluffy dishes such as idlis, dosas, or even rice-based meals, making it a versatile addition to your kid’s diet.
var _mfq = window._mfq || [];
_mfq.push([“setVariable”, “toi_titan”, window.location.href]);
!(function(f, b, e, v, n, t, s) {
function loadFBEvents(isFBCampaignActive) {
if (!isFBCampaignActive) {
return;
}
(function(f, b, e, v, n, t, s) {
if (f.fbq) return;
n = f.fbq = function() {
n.callMethod ? n.callMethod(…arguments) : n.queue.push(arguments);
};
if (!f._fbq) f._fbq = n;
n.push = n;
n.loaded = !0;
n.version = ‘2.0’;
n.queue = [];
t = b.createElement(e);
t.async = !0;
t.defer = !0;
t.src = v;
s = b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(t, s);
})(f, b, e, ‘https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js’, n, t, s);
fbq(‘init’, ‘593671331875494’);
fbq(‘track’, ‘PageView’);
};
function loadGtagEvents(isGoogleCampaignActive) {
if (!isGoogleCampaignActive) {
return;
}
var id = document.getElementById(‘toi-plus-google-campaign’);
if (id) {
return;
}
(function(f, b, e, v, n, t, s) {
t = b.createElement(e);
t.async = !0;
t.defer = !0;
t.src = v;
t.id = ‘toi-plus-google-campaign’;
s = b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(t, s);
})(f, b, e, ‘https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=AW-877820074’, n, t, s);
};
function loadSurvicateJs(allowedSurvicateSections = []){
const section = window.location.pathname.split(‘/’)[1]
const isHomePageAllowed = window.location.pathname === ‘/’ && allowedSurvicateSections.includes(‘homepage’)
if(allowedSurvicateSections.includes(section) || isHomePageAllowed){
(function(w) {
function setAttributes() {
var prime_user_status = window.isPrime ? ‘paid’ : ‘free’ ;
w._sva.setVisitorTraits({
toi_user_subscription_status : prime_user_status
});
}
if (w._sva && w._sva.setVisitorTraits) {
setAttributes();
} else {
w.addEventListener(“SurvicateReady”, setAttributes);
}
var s = document.createElement(‘script’);
s.src=”https://survey.survicate.com/workspaces/0be6ae9845d14a7c8ff08a7a00bd9b21/web_surveys.js”;
s.async = true;
var e = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0];
e.parentNode.insertBefore(s, e);
})(window);
}
}
window.TimesApps = window.TimesApps || {};
var TimesApps = window.TimesApps;
TimesApps.toiPlusEvents = function(config) {
var isConfigAvailable = “toiplus_site_settings” in f && “isFBCampaignActive” in f.toiplus_site_settings && “isGoogleCampaignActive” in f.toiplus_site_settings;
var isPrimeUser = window.isPrime;
var isPrimeUserLayout = window.isPrimeUserLayout;
if (isConfigAvailable && !isPrimeUser) {
loadGtagEvents(f.toiplus_site_settings.isGoogleCampaignActive);
loadFBEvents(f.toiplus_site_settings.isFBCampaignActive);
loadSurvicateJs(f.toiplus_site_settings.allowedSurvicateSections);
} else {
var JarvisUrl=”https://jarvis.indiatimes.com/v1/feeds/toi_plus/site_settings/643526e21443833f0c454615?db_env=published”;
window.getFromClient(JarvisUrl, function(config){
if (config) {
const allowedSectionSuricate = (isPrimeUserLayout) ? config?.allowedSurvicatePrimeSections : config?.allowedSurvicateSections
loadGtagEvents(config?.isGoogleCampaignActive);
loadFBEvents(config?.isFBCampaignActive);
loadSurvicateJs(allowedSectionSuricate);
}
})
}
};
})(
window,
document,
‘script’,
);
Source link