I went out today and bought some millet. Apparently, millet is considered one of the world's healthiest foods. According to this site, millet will protect you against asthma, migraine, diabetes type 2, heart attack and cancer. It has a lot of folate, too.
Yet apparently there has been a controversy regarding millet, since many paleo-leaning websites are quick to point out that it is goitrogenic and can interfere with your thyroid function. I did some research and found out that there are several varieties of millet, the most common one used in Africa is called pearl millet and can cause health problems if you consume too much of it while not getting enough iodine in your diet.
On the other hand, the sort available in European countries is called proso millet and is supposed to be quite harmless. I'm not sure which millet sort is most common in the US, but if it's proso, you may want to give it a try. It can be eaten as porridge in the morning or as a substitute for rice during dinner.
Millet is mentioned in the Bible, and some guy on internet swore it helps against grey hair, too:) If you have any experience with millet, feel free to share!
I used to eat millet borridge when my celiac disease was first found 22 years ago. Back then we were not allowed to eat oats. I never really learned to like millet, so the relief was great when oats were allowed again. Oats and buckwheat are my grains to go.
ReplyDeleteHealthy people do not need to worry about goitrogens. Only if you already have thyroid problems, they can slow it down even more -if you eat them uncooked. Usually they are harmless when cooked and not eaten excessively.
I just read one great book about food. There was lots of discussion about how food is nowadays isolated nutrients to most people, they think about this and that nutrient and this and that "harmful factor" and loose the big picture. Also the whole culture around food is starting to vanish. People obsess about health and forget the sosio-emotional experience food used to be.
Paleo people are just on a crusade against all grains, it appears:) Personally, I prefer millet to buckwheat. Buckwheat with milk and sugar for breakfast is OK, but as a substitute for rice/pasta with dinner? Not so much!
ReplyDeleteFood culture is disappearing because Western and esp. Anglo women have emancipated themselves from cooking. Southern and Eastern Euro food culture is doing just fine, in my experience.