I realize you may feel like you read the word “no” on this blog quite a bit.

• No out-of-season fruit
• No blue light at night
• No lectins
• No processed foods

I don’t do it because I want to restrict you… I do it because I’m looking out for you. Now, I realize that sometimes the process of changing your health habits for the better can feel like a lot of limitation. That’s why it’s high time for a real YES food.

So, say yes to millet!

Turns out, millet is delicious and can offer some incredible health benefits, like supporting –

• Energy levels
• Gut health
• Respiratory health
• Heart health
• Immune function

So, What Exactly Is Millet?

While you may not have even heard of it before, there’s a chance you’ve probably bought it – it’s the key seed in birdseed. But it’s not just for the birds, believe me. Millet is a kind of seeded grass, and its many variations are actually grown all over the globe. Though it’s marketed as a grain, it’s actually a seed. It gets labeled as a grain because of the way people prepare and eat it.

And lately, millet’s growing in popularity because it’s easy to grow, and can be cultivated in some pretty dry environments. So, it’s a perfect crop for lots of different regions, like parts of Asia, India, Africa, and the Middle East.

Now, even though there are different variations of millet grown all over the place, the most popular variation is pearl millet – aka Pennisetum glaucum. Pearl millet is a warm season grass, and newer varieties of pearl millet are being used for a variety of different food products – including beer.

You’ll usually see millet take the shape of –

• Cereals
• Porridges
• Snacks
• Breads

And it’s lectin-free! Millet’s been getting a lot of attention lately because those with celiac disease have been gravitating toward it when looking for gluten-free options. Moreover, there are pretty good levels of protein and dietary fiber in millet, which of course only adds to it’s appeal as a food with significant health benefits.¹

Supports Heart Health

If you’re concerned about your heart health – and I don’t know a single adult who isn’t – millet grain is one of the best grains you can add to your meal plan.

The fact that it’s rich in magnesium and potassium means it could support health blood pressure levels already within a normal range.

Supports Gut Health

One of my favorite things about millet is that it can work wonders for your gut. It’s great for digestion, especially if you’re dealing with the following issues –

• Constipation
• Gas
• Bloating
• Cramping

Millet may also support better nutrient retention. The high content of dietary fiber in millet also works to help eliminate waste, leaving your kidneys, liver, and immune system better off.²

The Takeaway

One of the best things about millet is that it’s a great alternative to wheat – one of the big time health-wreckers.  Millet simply doesn’t have the same negative effects as lectin-filled wheat. Speaking of lectin-free, check out our interview with lectin free mama.

If you’re working on switching to a lectin-free diet, allow millet to become a new go-to ingredient for you. You can make delicious bread using millet flour, or feast on a bowl of millet cereal and coconut milk. Enjoy the nutty flavor and fragrance!

It’s just another way to stay on the right path when it comes to your health, yet still enjoy the best nature has to offer. Give it a try! And the holidays are almost here, so check out my Millet Stuffing Recipe!

Looking for plant-based alternatives to get your omegas? Check out our Gundry MD plant based omega 3 supplement.

For more from Dr. Gundry, including healthy and delicious recipes, keep reading:

Dr. G’s Amazing Chipolte Flank Steak Recipe

Okra Chip Recipe (so good, your kids will beg for more!)

Sources:

1.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1541-4337.12012/full
2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4586582/