What is the difference between Pulses and Millets

What is the difference between Pulses and Millets

Difference between pulses and millets

First on pulses, Confidently we can say without pulses Indian cuisines does not exist. Across north to south of India pulses are a major ingredient in food preparation.

What are pulses

Pulses are the edible seeds of plants in the legume family. Primarily grown for human and animal consumption. Pulses grow in pods and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Commonly used pulses are chickpea (chana), soya bean, green peas, red lentils, cowpea, mung bean to name a few of them.
Pulses are high in protein content and low in carbohydrates and energy content. while rice and millets are the staple diet, pulses form the integral part of curry eaten along with rice and millets. Some pulses like brown chana dal is consumed as snack too.

Millets are no more a lost and forgotten grain. Thanks to the noise made through social media. Though millets are back, we still have basic questions to be clarified. Few of us do mistake it with pulses and other commonly used ingredients.

Millets are grains and pulses are legumes.

What are Millets

Millets are a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder, bird food and human food.

Millets are small grained (smaller than rice and wheat which are bigger that millets). Millets are highly tolerant to extreme weather conditions. Common millet varities are Finger millet, Pearl millet, Jowar (Sorghum), Foxtail, Little Millets, Kodo Millets, Proso Milletsand Barnyard Millets.

Why Millets are popular

Millet gained its popularity after raise in diabetes and life style disease which was side effect of eating large portions of rice and wheat. World is now moving to a different problem of malnutrition to over nutrition. With advancement in technology and pesticides we are able to grow more grains like rice, wheat and maida. When it comes to taste bigger grains are lot better and wins the race but smaller grains are the unsung heros. They are low in phytic acid and are rich in dietary fiber, iron, calcium, and B vitamins. Moreover, these millets release sugar slowly in the blood and also diminish the glucose absorption. These properties of the minor millets has made the present consumers attracted to the consumption of millet.

We are different - Millets and Pulses

There is no direct or indirect commonality between pulses and millets. Pulses and millets are two different ingredient which are used together to make some healthy and delicious recipes. Both pulses and millets brings nutritional benefits but caution to be taken in consuming them in higher quantity.