Almost any kind of cereal to one degree or another has a positive effect on the human body, the main thing is to be able to cook the dish correctly. Millet is not an exception in this matter, but in order to minimize any negative effect on the functioning of internal organs, it is necessary to take into account the state of the body and the presence / absence of problems in its work before use. Why millet porridge is useful and how to use it correctly for constipation and diarrhea - more on this later.
Is it possible to eat millet porridge
For a healthy person, millet porridge is not only possible, but also necessary to eat, as it contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals useful for the body. However, with stomach problems, the usual digestion of food is disturbed, so any, even the most ordinary product can adversely affect the general well-being of a person. Given this fact, it is worthwhile to carefully study the possibility of consuming boiled millet in each of the following conditions.
For constipation
The composition of millet contains dietary fiber, which, when ingested, irritates its walls. With constipation, such an effect will only contribute to the act of defecation, so if there is such a problem, you can safely eat millet. Moreover, it is easily overgraded and for a long time provides a feeling of satiety, which is another advantage of this particular cereal (this ability is highly appreciated when developing different diets).
Important! In order to calmly eat porridge and not worry about constipation, do not add oil or any other fatty foods to it. Most likely they will have a negative effect on the body, and the cereal itself has nothing to do with it.
With diarrhea
There is no consensus on the possibility of eating millet porridge during diarrhea, and while some people do not advise eating it because of the irritating effect on the already inflamed intestinal surface, others allow this possibility, but only during the recovery period. Compared to buckwheat and rice, millet is indeed coarser and more difficult to absorb by the body, so with diarrhea it is better to temporarily exclude it from your diet.
The use of millet groats for the intestines
Millet porridge contains a large amount of vitamins (for example, A, E, F of group B), as well as such important minerals as potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, molybdenum, phosphorus. However, it is fiber that has the most positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. She significantly improves intestinal motility, gently removes toxins from the body, and also improves the general condition with dysbiosis and constipation.
Did you know? Millet helps to slow down the external manifestations of the aging of the body, which is explained by the presence of copper in its composition. This mineral gives elasticity to all tissues, thereby preventing wrinkles.
The list of "special" abilities of millet porridge also includes the reduction of "bad" cholesterol, which not only prevents the development of cardiovascular problems, but also acts as a good prevention of disorders in the work of the gallbladder and digestive system organs. A certain part of cholesterol is also produced in the stomach itself, but so that the body can fully cope with the burden placed on it, it is worth monitoring its health.
Millet porridge will always be useful for children, athletes and losing weight, as boiled cereal saturates the body for a long time and dulls the feeling of hunger, and this at 88 kcal per 100 g.
How to choose upon purchase
The first thing you should pay attention to when buying millet groats is its appearance. A high-quality product always has a uniform, bright yellow or slightly brownish color and is devoid of any debris, lumps and mold between grains (this can be verified only with transparent packaging). To the touch, the groats should be dry and crumbly, without sticky or moist areas. When buying a product in closed packaging, be sure to check the tightness of the container and the expiration date on it.
Important! To prepare the most delicious porridge from millet, before using the cereal, rinse it several times in clean water, and then soak it for several hours in water, which will help remove the bitterness from gluten.
The most delicious is usually the millet purchased shortly after its planned harvesting., which falls approximately in October, the truth is also necessary to consider what kind of variety you are dealing with. For example, the "dranets" is always presented in the form of whole grains of millet, from which the top husk has only recently been removed. Such millet has a peculiar luster and is characterized by a bitter taste, therefore, for preparing porridge it is better to choose a polished version that has undergone complete purification from any plant impurities (it is much better absorbed by the body).
Another option for millet groats is crushed millet, which is essentially a by-product of millet processing. Slices of whole grains really cook much faster, but it’s better to cook viscous cereals and meatballs from them.
Terms of use
Since millet porridge is usually recommended for constipation, it is in this case that it is so important to consider all the rules for its use. For example, it is best if it is a friable dish, with the possible addition of fresh vegetables and fruits.
In addition, the implementation of some other recommendations regarding the preparation and use of such porridge will also contribute to the laxative effect:
- Groats must be peeled, without husks and other foreign inclusions.
- Do not forget to rinse the raw materials several times and soak in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
- Pouring millet with water, adhere to the recommended proportions: 3 parts of water are taken for 1 part of cereal.
- Boil the porridge for no longer than 10 minutes on low heat, and then wrap the pan in a warm towel and let it brew for another hour. This cooking method allows you to get the most crumbly dish.
- If desired, add a little milk to the porridge at the end of cooking, but only if it is about constipation, not diarrhea.
- Strengthen the laxative effect by adding vegetable oil, which replaces the cream product.
In the case of eating millet porridge with moderate diarrhea, it is better to cook it in water with the addition of carrots or turnips during cooking (in this form, it can strengthen the intestines). Fully refuse millet in the diet will have people suffering from gastritis with low acidity and those who are currently engaged in the treatment of hypothyroidism (there is an opinion that millet grains do not allow the body to fully absorb iodine-containing drugs).
Thanks to the easy digestion of millet porridge, it can be included in the diet of children immediately after classic rice, buckwheat and oatmeal. If the baby has started constipation, first of all, it is worth identifying the possible culprit by reviewing the child’s menu in recent days. It is likely that they will be the same millet porridge, especially if mom tried to feed the whole portion at a time.
With proper preparation, millet porridge will indeed become a tasty and very useful product that perfectly saturates both children and adults with energy.
To avoid the unpleasant consequences of introducing a child’s body to new food, you should adhere to the recommendations:
- introduce millet porridge closer to the year in the diet;
- at the beginning, confine yourself to a few teaspoons, at least until you understand the reaction of the child's body to new food;
- boil millet only on water;
- give the child more to drink;
- if the baby is prone to constipation, add finely chopped dried apricots or prunes to the porridge.
Did you know? Despite similar names, millet has nothing to do with wheat. It is obtained after processing by grinding millet, and for the first time this culture began to be grown back in the III century BC. e. on the territory of modern Mongolia and China.
How to cook for the treatment and prevention of constipation
There are many recipes for preparing millet porridge, but not all of them can be used for constipation.
In this case, the following options have proven their effectiveness:
- Millet porridge with pumpkin. For 600 g of fresh, peeled and grated pumpkin, one cup of washed millet and 3 cups of pure water should be added (sometimes another 1 cup of milk is added). After mixing all the ingredients, they are transferred to a pan, salted, pepper to taste and boiled over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring regularly and removing the foam. Toward the end of cooking, you can add a spoonful of honey or a small amount of vegetable oil to the porridge to improve the taste.
- Millet porridge with apples and pumpkin. For 500 g of chopped pumpkin in this case, take the same number of sliced sweet and sour apples. Together they are baked in the oven for about half an hour, and then transferred to a pot, add a peeled glass of millet, a little cinnamon and warm water. Having closed the pot with a lid, it must be left in the oven for another hour, after setting the temperature in the oven to +180 degrees.
It is useful to add prunes and raisins to the prepared millet porridge in order to enhance the laxative effect of such nutrition. If constipation often recurs, the dish can be consumed daily, preparing it for breakfast or dinner. However, do not forget about the mandatory consumption of a large amount of fluid, which also contributes to the effective functioning of the intestine.
Millet porridge is a valuable product that can effectively weaken the intestines and normalize stool. However, with diarrhea, even if it is accompanied by mild diarrhea, such food can cause additional problems. Therefore, in any case, always be careful about your body, watching for the slightest changes in well-being.