As the seasons change, so do our body's nutritional requirements. In India, the onset of autumn signifies a time for moving towards heartier food, which not only warms up the body but also nourishes it. With winters approaching, our bodies call for foods that not only satisfy our hunger but also enhance our immunity and help us maintain warmth. Indeed, though wheat remains a staple in most households, there is an array of other flours that can be added to your diet to prepare nutritious and warming rotis. These flours are full of essential nutrients and will keep you warm during the coming cold months. Let's explore these traditional flours that add flavour to your chapatis and also provide you with key nutrients that will help to keep your body warm and healthy as winter sets in.
Jowar Flour
The ancient grain, jowar or sorghum, has gained attention lately for it impressive health benefits. Being gluten-free, it is quite liked by people who are sensitive to gluten or diagnosed with celiac disease. Jowar flour content is rich in dietary fibre, thus helping in digestion and regulating the blood sugar levels. For many who want to manage weight can include jowar since it keeps you fuller and away from hunger pangs.
Rich in antioxidants, jowar also fights inflammation and improves heart health. In addition, it is a source of important vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, and B vitamins that help facilitate energy while maintaining health during the freezing winter. When added to rotis, jowar flour gives a soft, slightly sweet flatbread ideal to pair with dals and curries and makes for an excellent inclusion in the diet for the winter season.
Makka Flour
Makka or Maize is a staple ingredient during winter. It is a staple ingredient in the Northern India, traditionally used to prepare makki ki roti, which is loved with sarson ka saag. Maize flour is rich in carbs and an excellent source of energy, more importantly, one that keeps you going during the cold months.
What makes makka flour great during the winter season is its high amount of dietary fibre, thus providing healthy digestion and avoiding constipation, which remains a common problem during cold weather. Additionally, it’s a good source of essential nutrients like vitamin A, which supports immune function and eye health, and magnesium, which is important for bone health.
Bajra Flour
Bajra is a great flour for the winter season. Bajra or pearl millet is widely consumed in Rajasthan and Gujarat primarily, where it is mainly used as a source of protein by vegetarians. Rich in magnesium, it is heart healthy, and contains high levels of iron that works well for winter fatigue maintaining high energy levels.
Bajra is gluten-free, so it's a breeze for people who cannot tolerate gluten. The high fibre also aids in digestion, blood sugar control, and cholesterol levels. Dense and nutty in flavour, bajra rotis are an excellent accompaniment with gravies, curries, or even ghee and jaggery as a simple yet healthy winter meal.
Ragi Flour
Ragi, or finger millet, is a nutritional powerhouse, particularly noted for its high calcium content. Winter is the time when the body needs more nourishment for bone strength, and ragi flour is a fantastic ingredient. It is also chock-full of iron and antioxidants, so it prevents anaemia and boosts the immune system, all this is essential during the winter months when when the risk of illness increases.
Ragi is also one of the best options for controlling blood sugar and, therefore, a perfect choice for patients with diabetes. Its richness in fibre helps in digestion and thus aids weight control. Rotis prepared from ragi flour have a slight earthy flavour and need some spiced vegetables or a hot dal for a fullfilling winter meal.
Bejad Flour
Bejad flour is a muligrain, a mix of wheat, jowar, and chana. It is loved for its well-balanced nutrient profile consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, and necessary vitamins. Wheat gives energy; jowar provides fibre and important minerals; and chana flour provides protein, making bejad an ideal option for anyone who wants a multi-dimensional nutritious roti.
All the components of this multigrain aid in digestion, control fluctuating blood sugar levels, and provide energy for longer periods, proving to be marvelous for the winter when the body requires more warmth and nourishment. Bejad flour chapatis are slightly drier chapatis and can be little dense with a taste not same as the wheat rotis. However, they taste perfect with an added layer of ghee and pair well with most of the Indian dishes .