Arumai Foods based in Chennai, Tamilnadu is a leading manufacturer of millet laddus, a super healthy snack, ideal for weight loss, diabetes and several other ailments.
Laddu or laddoo is a sphere-shaped sweet originating from the Indian subcontinent. Laddus are primarily made from refined wheat flour, millets, fat (ghee/butter/oil) and brown sugar. Sometimes ingredients such as chopped nuts and/or dried raisins are also added. The type of ingredients used may vary by recipe.
Types of millets used to make laddus:
- Sorghum (சோளம்)
- Finger Millet (ராகி/கேழ்வரகு)
- Pearl Millet (கம்பு)
- Foxtail Millet (தினை)
- Barnyard Millet (குதிரைவாலி)
- Kodo Millet (வரகு/வரகரிசி)
- Little Millet (சாமை/சாமை அரிசி)
- Proso Millet (பனி வரகு)
SORGHUM MILLET LADDUS
Sorghum is traditional staple food of the dry land regions of the world, a warm season crop intolerant to low temperatures, resistant to pests and diseases highly nutritious and a climate-compliant crop.
It ranks fifth in cereals produced world-wide and fourth in India. Generally, sorghum grains act as a principal source of protein, vitamins, energy and minerals for millions of people especially in the semi-arid regions playing a crucial role in the world’s food economy. It has a nutritional profile better than rice which is the staple food of majority of the human population for its rich protein, fibre thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, calcium, phosphorous, iron and β-carotene.
PEARL MILLET LADDUS
Pearl millet plant was probably domesticated as a food crop some 4000 to 5000 years ago along the southern margins of the central highlands of the Sahara. It has since become widely distributed across the semiarid tropics of Africa and Asia.
Pearl millet has traditionally been an important grain, forage, and stover crop primarily in the arid and subtropical regions of many developing countries. Pearl millet is well adapted to growing areas characterized by drought, low soil fertility, and high temperature. Because of its tolerance to difficult growing conditions, it can be grown in areas where other cereal crops, such as maize or wheat, would not survive.
This millet possesses phytochemicals that lower cholesterol. Pearl millet also contains foliate, magnesium, copper, zinc and vitamins E and B-complex. It has high energy content compared to other millets. It is also rich in calcium and unsaturated fats which are good for health.
FINGER MILLET LADDUS
It is an annual plant extensively grown as cereal in the dry areas of India, especially in the southern part. It contains high amounts of calcium, proteins with well-balanced essential amino acids along with vitamin A, vitamin B and phosphorous. Its high fibre content prevents constipation, high blood pressure and intestinal cancer.
Finger millet is commonly used in South Indian Kitchens. It is rich in calcium, about ten times that of rice or wheat. It is an important ingredient in the food of babies, as it contains plenty of calcium and iron. Protein content in finger millet is high making it an important factor in preventing malnutrition. Also making it an ideal food for diabetics as it has demonstrated ability of controlling blood glucose levels and hyperglycemia.
FOXTAIL MILLET LADDUS
Foxtail millet is one of the oldest cultivated millets. Three to four decades ago, foxtail millet was consumed as the staple food. Foxtail millet has double quantity of protein content compared to rice. It controls blood sugar and cholesterol. It increases disease resistant capacity when consumed and is considered ideal food for people suffering from diabetes and gastric problem.
Foxtail millet provides a host of nutrients, has a sweet nutty flavour and is considered to be one of the most digestible and non-allergic grains available. Foxtail millet contains fibre, protein, calcium and vitamins. It is a nutritive food for children and pregnant women. It is rich in dietary fibre and minerals such as copper and iron that keep one’s body strong and immune.
KODO MILLET LADDUS
Kodo millet was domesticated in India almost 3000 years ago. It is an annual tufted grass that grows up to 90 cm high. The grain is enclosed within hard, corneous, persistent husks that are difficult to remove. Kodo millet has the highest dietary fiber amongst all the millets.
It forms the main stay of the dietary nutritional requirements. Kodo millet has high protein content (11%), low fat (4.2%) and very high fibre content (14.3%). Kodo millet is very easy to digest, it contains a high amount of lecithin and is excellent for strengthening the nervous system. It is rich in B vitamins, especially niacin, B6 and folic acid, as well as the minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and zinc. It contains no gluten and is good for people who are gluten intolerant. Regular consumption of kodo millet is very beneficial for postmenopausal women suffering from signs of cardiovascular disease, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.
BARNYARD MILLET LADDUS
Barnyard millet is a good source of protein, which is highly digestible and is an excellent source of dietary fiber with good amount of soluble and insoluble fractions. The carbohydrate content of barnyard millet is low and slowly digestible, which makes the barnyard millet a nature’s gift for the modern mankind who is engaged in sedentary activities. In this millet the major fatty acid is linoleic acid followed by palmitic and oleic acid. It also shows a high degree of retrogradation of amylase, which facilitates the formation of higher amounts of resistant starches. Hence it can be potentially recommended for the patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Barnyard millet is most effective in reducing blood glucose and lipid levels.
In today’s scenario of increased diabetes mellitus, this millet could becomes an ideal food. It is also an appropriate food for patients intolerant to gluten which causes celiac disease.
PROSO MILLET LADDUS
Proso millet is a short season crop that grows in low rainfall areas. This millet can be cultivated along with red gram, maize and sorghum. it releases energy over a longer period of time after consumption allowing one to work from morning to evening without getting tired. The same is not true with rice. This has much protein, crude fiber, minerals and calcium.
Health benefits of proso millet comes from its unique properties. Proso millet is completely gluten free and has significant amounts of carbohydrate and fatty acids. This millet is a cheaper source of manganese as compared to other conventional sources like spices and nuts. It contains high amounts of calcium which is essential for bone growth and maintenance. It has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels and also reduce the risk of heart diseases. It also prevents breast cancer among other diseases.
LITTLE MILLET LADDUS
Little millet is grown throughout India and is one of the traditional crops. It is mostly mix cropped with other millets, pulses and oilseeds. It is generally consumed as rice and any recipe that demands staple rice can be prepared using little millet. This species of cereal is similar in habit to the proso millet except that it is smaller. It is an annual herbaceous plant, which grows straight or with folded blades to a height of 30 cm to 1 m. The leaves are linear, sometimes with hairy lamina and membranous hairy ligules.
Little millet is reported to have 37% to 38% of dietary fiber, termed as a nutraceutical and highest among cereals. Thus, it is a complete food ingredient suitable for large scale utilization as processed products, snacks, baby foods etc., and also plays a major role in propagating food security among under developed and developing countries.
Nutritional and Health Benefits of Millets:
Millets are nutri cereals comprising of sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet (major millets) foxtail, little, kodo, proso and barnyard millet (minor millets). These are one of the oldest foods known to humanity. These are one of the several species of coarse cereal grasses in the family Poaceae, cultivated for their small edible seeds. They are highly nutritious, non-glutinous and notacid forming foods. Hence, they are soothing and easy to digest.
They contain high amounts of dietary fibre, B-complex vitamins, essential amino and fatty acids and vitamin E. They are particularly high in minerals, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and release lesser percentage of glucose over a longer period of time causing satiety which lowers the risk of diabetes. These grains are high in carbohydrates, with protein content varying from6 to11 percent and fat varying from1.5 to5 percent.
Celiac Disease:
Millets are gluten free grains hence, used for celiac disease patients.
Anti-diabetic Properties:
Millets consumption lower blood glucose response and glycosylated hemoglobin, thus rendering glycemic index, helps in reducing the risk of diabetes mellitus.
Reduction of Oxidative stress:
Free radicals, are removed by the phenolic compounds present in millet grains which reduces oxidative stress.
Anti-cancer properties:
Millet extracts have anti-prolific effects on cancer cell line, inhibit DNA damage and induce the production of phase-2 detoxifying enzymes.
Anti-hypertensive:
Millets prevent the oxidation of low density lipoproteins reducing lipase activity which reduces the occurence of hypertension.
Obesity:
Intake of high dietary fiber (present in millets) provides hunger satisfaction and increases satiety; hence decreases incidence of obesity.
Coronary Heart Disease(CHD):
Regular consumption of whole millet grains(40g/day) reduces the risk of CVD and thus reduces the risk of CHD by 20%.
Beneficial in treating stomach ulcers and gall stones:
Free radicals, are removed by the phenolic compounds present in millet grains which reduces oxidative stress.
For anemic control:
Finger millet is very good source of natural iron; its consumption helps in keeping conditions of anaemic, malnutrition, degenerative diseases, liver disorders and asthma at bay.
Beneficial in preventing allergic reactions:
Pearl millet especially has a low probability of causing allergic reactions due to the hype-allergic property.
Millets Nutritional Value Chart
| Millets/Cereals | Carbo-hydrates(g) | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Energy (Kcal) | Crude fibre (g) | Mineral matter (g) | Ca (mg) | P (mg) | Fe (mg) |
| Sorghum | 72.6 | 10.4 | 1.9 | 349 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 25 | 222 | 4.1 |
| Pearl Millet | 67.5 | 11.6 | 5 | 361 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 42 | 296 | 8 |
| Finger Millet | 72 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 328 | 3.6 | 2.7 | 344 | 283 | 3.9 |
| Foxtail Millet | 60.9 | 12.3 | 4.3 | 331 | 8 | 3.3 | 31 | 290 | 2.8 |
| Proso Millet | 70.4 | 12.5 | 1.1 | 341 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 14 | 206 | 0.8 |
| Kodo Millet | 65.9 | 8.3 | 1.4 | 309 | 9 | 2.6 | 27 | 188 | 0.5 |
| Little Millet | 67 | 7.7 | 4.7 | 341 | 7.6 | 1.5 | 17 | 220 | 9.3 |
| Barnyard Millet | 65.5 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 307 | 9.8 | 4.4 | 20 | 280 | 5 |
| Rice (raw, milled) | 78.2 | 6.8 | 0.5 | 345 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 10 | 160 | 0.7 |
| Wheat (whole) | 71.2 | 11.8 | 1.5 | 346 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 41 | 306 | 5.3 |
| Cereals/Millets | Mg | Na | K | Cu | Mn | Mb | Zn | Cr | Si | Cl |
| Foxtail millet | 81 | 4.6 | 250 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.07 | 2.4 | 0.03 | 171 | 37 |
| Proso Millet | 153 | 8.2 | 113 | 1.6 | 0.6 | – | 1.4 | 0.02 | 157 | 19 |
| Finger millet | 137 | 11 | 408 | 0.47 | 5.49 | 0.102 | 2.3 | 0.028 | 160 | 44 |
| Little millet | 133 | 8.1 | 129 | 1 | 0.68 | 0.016 | 3.7 | 0.18 | 149 | 13 |
| Barnyard millet | 82 | – | – | 0.6 | 0.96 | – | 3 | 0.09 | – | – |
| Kodo millet | 147 | 4.6 | 144 | 1.6 | 1.1 | – | 0.7 | 0.02 | 136 | 11 |
| Sorghum | 171 | 7.3 | 131 | 0.46 | 0.78 | 0.039 | 1.6 | 0.008 | 54 | 44 |
| Pearl Millet | 137 | 10.9 | 307 | 1.06 | 1.15 | 0.069 | 3.1 | 0.023 | 147 | 39 |
| Rice | 90 | – | – | 0.14 | 0.59 | 0.058 | 1.4 | 0.004 | – | – |
| Wheat | 138 | 17.1 | 284 | 0.68 | 2.29 | 0.051 | 2.7 | 0.012 | 128 | 47 |
| Millets | Thiamin (mg) | Niacin (mg) | Riboflavin | Vitamin A (carotene) (mg/100g) | Vit B6 (mg/100g) | Folic Acid (mg/100g) | Vit B5 (mg/100g) | Vit E (mg/100g) |
| Foxtail millet | 0.59 | 3.2 | 0.11 | 32 | – | 15 | 0.82 | 31 |
| Proso millet | 0.41 | 4.5 | 0.28 | 0 | – | – | 1.2 | – |
| Finger millet | 0.42 | 1.1 | 0.19 | 42 | – | 18.3 | – | 22 |
| Little millet | 0.3 | 3.2 | 0.09 | 0 | – | 9 | – | – |
| Barnyard mille | 0.33 | 4.2 | 0.1 | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| Kodo millet | 0.15 | 2 | 0.09 | 0 | – | 23.1 | – | – |
| Sorghum | 0.38 | 4.3 | 0.15 | 47 | 0.21 | 20 | 1.25 | 12 |
| Pearl millet | 0.38 | 2.8 | 0.21 | 132 | – | 45.5 | 1.09 | 19 |
| Rice | 0.41 | 4.3 | 0.04 | 0 | – | 8 | – | – |
| Wheat | 0.41 | 5.1 | 0.1 | 64 | 0.57 | 36.6 | – | – |
Which millet is good for weight loss?
Sorghum is rich in potassium, phosphorus and calcium with sufficient amounts of iron, zinc and sodium. Due to this, it is being targeted as a means to reduce malnutrition globally. It helps to control heart problems, obesity and arthritis.
Which millet is best for babies?
Foxtail millet provides a host of nutrients, has a sweet nutty flavour and is considered to be one of the most digestible and non-allergic grains available. Foxtail millet contains fibre, protein, calcium and vitamins. It is a nutritive food for children and pregnant women. It is rich in dietary fibre and minerals such as co iron that keep one’s body strong and immune.
Which millet is best for diabetics?
Finger millet is an ideal food for diabetics as it has demonstrated the ability of controlling blood glucose levels and hyperglycemia.
Which millet is good for constipation?
Finger millet has high fibre content which prevents constipation, high blood pressure and intestinal cancer.
Which millet is good for coeliac disease?
All millets in its natural form are gluten-free. Barnyard millet in particular is an appropriate food for patients intolerant to gluten which causes celiac disease.
Reference: https://millets.res.in/
Arumai Foods
No: 8, Umayalpuram,
Chrompet,
Chennai 600 044.
Tamilnadu, India
+91 98407 42419 / 79047 13722
selva.sooty@gmail.com
You may also be interested in this manufacturer:
One thought on “Arumai Foods”