Prerna Porwal
Bajra flour or bajra atta (as we call it in Hindi) is produced from the roundish small grains of black millet which is called bajra or pearl millet. Once the bajra crop is ripe and ready to be harvested, the crop is cut and tied in bundles and allowed to dry naturally. The bundles are then threshed carefully to separate the grains. The segregated grains are then again dried and processed into flour by a simple crushing and grinding method. This is how we can obtain bajra atta or bajra flour
Natureland Organics Pearl Millet or Bajra Flour is processed by using special handpicked organic grains, cleaned and free of chaff. The unbroken grains are consistent in color and grain size. This organic bajra is free from abhorrent smell, staining and other foreign materials. I recommend this product for its consistent and superior product quality throughout the year.
Key Features:
- It is a certified organic and natural product
- It has a natural aroma and taste
- It is a 100% chemical free product
- 0% adulteration
- It is free from artificial colors
- It helps to boost immunity and help in body growth
Naturevibe Botanical’s Bajra Atta is made by grinding the organic bajra or millet grains. It has a peculiar nutty flavor which converts any regular diet to an extremely tasty diet. It is gluten free and protein rich bajra flour which is widely appreciated by its global customer base. It is slightly expensive compared to my other picks, but the quality offered is also justified.
Key Features:
- It is 100% natural and organic
- It is rich in flavonoids
- It is gluten free product
- It is free from preservatives and chemicals
Our Organik Tree’s Organic Bajra Flour is 100% pure and natural product which is the most expensive flour in my top picks. It deserves a special mention for health-conscious individuals since it belongs to none other than the famous dietitian and nutrition expert, Dr. Reema Rao.
It is an organic certified product, the farmers practice ancient Vedic style of farming using organic manure like animal excreta, vegetable compost and neem cakes. These skilled farmers use traditional methods like crop rotation and hand weeding to maintain soil fertility and to produce the crop that is very high in its nutrient content. Friends do give a try to this organic bajra flour if you aren’t worried about the price tag.
Key Features:
- It is a certified organic product
- It is 100% Natural and free of chemicals and preservatives
- It is free from pesticides
- It helps digestion and relieves constipation
1. High in Protein and Fibre Content
Protein is a vital nutrient which is essential to build muscle mass and nourish the body cells. Bajra is a good source of protein and thus needs to be included in daily diet.
Fibre is useful to cleanse the gut and prevent constipation. It keeps your body full for a longer period. Bajra is loaded with fibre content and is thus considered as best friend for vegetarian bodybuilders.
2. Helpful in Weight Management
Bajra atta consists of essential carbs which are slowly absorbed during the digestion process, which develops satiety and also ensures a constant supply of energy to the system.
Bajra prevents overeating and unwanted munching. It simply keeps the hunger at bay and indirectly helps in weight loss.
3. Gluten Free Flour
Many health conscious people are looking for gluten free foods these days, and here you go, Bajra flour is naturally gluten free and protein rich food.
So friends even if you are not a vegan person, you can still include bajra in your meal plan.
4. Good for Gut Health
Bajra atta is loaded with insoluble fibre. This fibre is great for your gut health, and assists in proper functioning of the digestive cycle.
Insoluble fibre helps to avoid overeating by accumulating bulk to your regular meals, making you feel full. The essential fibre is also useful for efficient bowel movement and prevents the issue of constipation.
Bajra is alkaline and helps to fight acidity issues.
5. Manage Diabetes
Friends, for your knowledge, Diabetes can be controlled or prevented by managing the amounts of fibre intake in your body.
Bajra flour has great control on diabetes level because of its high fibre content. The flour also consists of starch, which takes a longer period for glucose conversion. This is useful in preventing diabetes and provides stable energy to your body.
Apart from this, bajra is also a great source of magnesium, which is beneficial to reduce the diabetes risk.
6. Healthy Happy Heart
As I mentioned above, bajra atta is a high source of magnesium, which is very useful for people having heart issues and must be included in their regular diet. Magnesium in the flour is beneficial to prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases like blood pressure and diabetes.
Health experts have also observed magnesium to be beneficial in lowering LDL or bad cholesterol and also increase good cholesterol (HDL) and prevent stroke.
Please note: 100 grams of Bajra have approximately 131 milligrams of magnesium
7. Presence of Photochemical
Bajra is often highlighted due to the abundant amount of photo chemicals it consists of. Few of the polyphenols available in bajra consist of flavonoids like tricin, acacetin and luteolin.
They have anti carcinogenic and anti-tumor properties, which are helpful to arrest the development of cancer cells in the body. Flavonoids also act as antioxidants in our system and help to boost our immune system.
Antioxidants also have a beneficial effect on the overall health of individuals, aging and acts as barriers against metabolic issues and syndromes.
8. Rich in Omega 3 Fat Content
Bajra flour is a great source of healthy omega 3 essential fats. In fact if you compare with other cereals, Bajra has a considerably high amount of omega 3 essential fats present in it.
According to health experts, Omega 3 rich oils are helpful to reduce blood pressure, triglycerides issue and reduce plaque growth in your arteries. It also assists in proper heart functioning and thus known as cardio protective oil.
9. Good Source of Iron, Preventing Anemia
Bajra is rich in phosphorus and iron content. Iron is an essential nutrient for cognitive functioning, brain memory and providing energy to the body.
The Phosphorus content is important to bone health as it works closely with calcium in the body to build our bones.
10. Good for Skin and Eyes
Bajra atta is rich in Zinc content. Zinc is known to be very important to repair your skin and slows down the ageing. It prevents the facial skin from acne formation and helps to nourish the skin.
Zinc is also important to assist enzymes in the body to produce vitamin A, which is helpful to treat night blindness. Zinc is essential to maintain the eye health and also prevent dryness of eyes.
11. Good for Body Endurance
As I mentioned above, Bajra is loaded with proteins and fibre, alkaline, zinc and maintains the blood pressure by producing adequate red blood cells (RBC) which helps to provide instant energy. This is important for building endurance for professionals like runners, swimmers and bikers.
Friends, I am an ardent foodie, and bajra rotis or parathas are one of my all-time favorites. They are also called Sajje wali roti. Bajra roti is a famous Rajasthani and north Indian roti often served with different curries and vegetables (sabzis). It is super healthy and loaded with essential nutrients. Also, it is gluten-free!
Bajra roti is ideal for people living in hot and dry regions, Indian summers and winters and moreover it provides instant energy for hardworking individuals involved in physical work. Bajra roti can be consumed in breakfast, lunch and dinner by combining with several supplements. One of the well known Maharashtrian recipes involves Bajra Paratha topped with ghee, served with Eggplant vegetable (baingan sabzi), peanut masala, raw onions, chilly powder and jaggery! Heaven!
I guess I have poked a few foodies here, so I am sharing an easy recipe for preparing Bajra roti or paratha for my friends. Check out!
Bajra Roti Recipe:
- To prepare healthy Bajra roti, prepare dough by using 2 cups of bajra flour, add some salt as per your taste and a teaspoon of vegetable oil and mix the flour in the bowl.
- Start adding hot water in a small quantity and knead the dough well.
- Allow the dough to rest for 10-15 minutes by covering it with a muslin cloth.
- Take a small portion of dough and knead it again.
- Now roll the dough into a circular shape by using a kitchen roller or rolling pin.
- Use some amount of wheat flour in the base for proper handling.
- Put on the flame and heat the pan or tawa for cooking. Apply some water on the surface of the circular roti and place it on the pan/tawa.
- Once the water is dried up due to heat, apply water on the other side and flip the roti to heat from the other end.
- You can press the roti with your hand or cooking stick and serve hot when both sides are cooked up.
- You can generously pour a teaspoon of ghee on the gluten-free roti and serve it spicy pickle or jaggery.
1. What is bajra flour or bajra atta called in English?
In English, Bajra is commonly known as Pearl Millet.
2. Is bajra flour good for health?
Yes, Surely! Bajra flour consists of essential minerals like magnesium and potassium. It assists in proper blood flow in the body and helps to reduce blood pressure. It is important for your heart health. Bajra flour also consists of fibre that helps to reduce LDL or bad cholesterol. Apart from these, there are many more health benefits of Bajra flour.
3. Is bajra flour good for weight loss?
Yes Friends! Bajra is suitable for weight loss. It is a powerful grain also called a superfood. It is loaded with insoluble fiber which helps in losing weight, reducing cholesterol and also reducing blood sugar levels.
4. Is bajra a kharif crop?
Kharif crops are basically the crops grown during the monsoon season in the Indian subcontinent. Bajra is cultivated and harvested in this period only and it is a Kharif crop.
5. Is bajra better than jowar?
Well, I would be diplomatic on this question. Both Bajra flour and Jowar flour are rich in nutritive value and way better than normal flour for making rotis and chapatis. If possible, try to combine both these flours and prepare various healthy recipes for yourself and your loved ones.
6. Is bajra and ragi the same?
No, they are different but belonging to the same family of Millets. For further clarity, Millet is basically of three varieties, First is Pearl Millet also called Bajra, the second is Finger Millet also called Ragi and lastly Proso Millet also known as Barri in India.
7. Is bajra better than wheat?
Yes, Bajra flour is slightly better than wheat flour. Thanks to its rich nutrient profile, bajra flour is a healthy alternative for whole wheat flour. Bajra has high protein and essential nutrient content and several nutritionists also recommend including it in your everyday diet. Now before you write to me why it is only slightly better, let me tell you a drawback, Bajra rotis has more calories compared to wheat roti.
8. Can bajra be eaten every day?
Yes, unlike other flours, bajra too can be eaten every day. Regularly eating whole grains like bajra may help prevent chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and even cancers. Health experts have found that consuming just 30 grams of bajra daily can reduce the chances of breast cancer by 50%
9. Is bajra roti easy to digest?
Bajra is a complex carb and has high fibre which slowly digests and also releases glucose at a slower pace. However, it aids in the digestion process.
10. Is bajra good in summer?
There is a myth that eating millets in summers is not good for the body. This is untrue as Bajra flour is very versatile. In fact Bajra lassi is a common drink in hot regions of India
11. Is bajra a pulse?
No, Bajra crop is a cereal. Pulses include all types of beans, peas, lentils, etc.
12. Is bajra good for acidity?
Yes, Bajra flour is good for acidity issues. Bajra or pearl millet is loaded with essential insoluble fibre which aids in good digestion. It is beneficial to prevent the emission of bile acids in your body and reduces the issue of gallstone growth in your body.
13. Is bajra good for PCOS?
Yes, Bajra is suitable for PCOS. Bajra flour is a rich source of iron and fibre. Being rich in fibre, Bajra slows down the release of glucose into the bloodstream, and in turn, slows insulin resistance.
Please Note: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among young women.
14. Can diabetics eat bajra roti?
Yes, of course! Bajra is loaded with high amounts of dietary fibre, bajra is a useful grain for a diabetic person. It is because Bajra glycemic index is 54 (moderate value), it has great nutritive content and also it is high in fibre.
15. What do you call bajra flour in Tamil?
It is called as பஜ்ரா மாவு (Pajra Mavu).
15. What do you call bajra flour in Telugu?
It is called as బజ్రా పిండి (Bajra Pindi).
16. What do you call bajra roti in Telugu?
It is called as మిల్లెట్ బ్రెడ్ (Millet Bred).
17. What do you call bajra flour in Kannada?
It is called as ಬಜ್ರಾ ಹಿಟ್ಟು (Bajra Hittu).
18. What do you call bajra roti in English?
It is called as Pearl Millet Bread.