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Which bhakri is good in the rainy season? A seasonal guide

3 min read

According to Ayurveda, the body's digestive fire, or Agni, is weaker during the monsoon season, making it harder to digest heavy foods. Therefore, choosing a light and easily digestible bhakri is key to maintaining good health during this period.

Quick Summary

This guide explores the best bhakri options for the rainy season, focusing on those that are light, easily digestible, and immunity-boosting. The article provides a comparison of different millets like jowar, ragi, and barnyard millet, highlighting their seasonal benefits and nutritional profiles for maintaining digestive health during monsoon.

Key Points

  • Jowar (Sorghum) Bhakri: Rich in fiber and gluten-free, Jowar is excellent for maintaining healthy digestion and boosting immunity during monsoon.

  • Ragi (Finger Millet) Bhakri: Known for its high calcium and iron content, Ragi is light on the stomach, prevents acidity, and supports bone health.

  • Barnyard Millet (Sanwa) Bhakri: Easily digestible and low in calories, this millet helps avoid bloating and provides sustained energy, perfect for a sluggish monsoon metabolism.

  • Avoid Heavy Grains: Lighter, quicker-digesting flours are preferable to heavy grains like bajra, which is a warming grain better suited for winter.

  • Enhance with Spices and Ferments: Adding cumin or carom seeds and pairing with curd or buttermilk can further aid digestion during the rainy season.

  • Listen to Your Body: While some millets have seasonal recommendations, pay attention to how your body responds and choose the bhakri that feels best for your digestive system.

  • Seasonal Eating: Aligning your diet with the season, as per Ayurvedic principles, is crucial for good health, and millets offer a perfect way to do this.

In This Article

The Importance of Seasonal Eating in Monsoon

Eating seasonally, a principle in Ayurveda, is particularly relevant during the rainy season. High humidity and cooler temperatures can slow metabolism and weaken the digestive system. Lighter, digestible foods are recommended to prevent discomfort. Bhakris offer a way to incorporate this wisdom by using appropriate millet flours.

Jowar Bhakri: The Gut-Friendly Choice

Jowar (sorghum) is a nutritious, gluten-free option for rainy season bhakri. Its high fiber content supports digestive health when it's often sluggish. Jowar also provides magnesium, iron, and antioxidants to boost the immune system.

Ragi Bhakri: A Calcium-Rich Immunity Booster

Ragi (finger millet) is another excellent monsoon bhakri choice, known for its high calcium content. It is easily digestible, helps prevent acidity, and its iron and minerals support immunity.

Comparing Monsoon-Friendly Bhakris

Here's a comparison of three good bhakri options for the rainy season:

Feature Jowar Bhakri Ragi Bhakri Barnyard Millet Bhakri
Digestion Excellent; high fiber aids gut health. Good; light on the stomach, prevents acidity. Excellent; easily digestible and light.
Nutrient Highlights Fiber, iron, magnesium, antioxidants. High calcium, iron, antioxidants. Fiber, complex carbs.
Ayurvedic Profile Cooling effect; balances pitta. All-season grain; especially good in rains. Light, warming, balances Vata.
Best For Overall digestive health, immunity boosting. Strong bones, acidity prevention. Avoiding bloating and sluggishness.
Texture Soft and easy to chew when hot. Slightly more rustic texture. Light and fluffy texture.

Barnyard Millet Bhakri: Light and Digestible

Barnyard millet (sanwa) is a very light and easily digestible option. Its high fiber and low glycemic index provide steady energy without heaviness, and its warming quality is comforting on cool rainy days.

How to Enhance Your Monsoon Bhakri

Improve your bhakri with these tips:

  • Add Seasonal Greens: Incorporate finely chopped spinach or fenugreek (methi) for nutrients and flavor.
  • Include Spices: Cumin (jeera), carom seeds (ajwain), and turmeric aid digestion.
  • Serve with Fermented Foods: Pair with curd or buttermilk (chaas) for probiotics.
  • Serve with Thecha: A spicy thecha can aid digestion and add flavor.

The Traditional Way of Eating Bhakri

Traditional preparation and consumption enhance bhakri's monsoon benefits. Pairing jowar bhakri with simple curries creates a balanced meal. Serving bhakri fresh and hot with ghee improves its nutrition and taste.

Conclusion

Jowar and ragi are good bhakri choices for the rainy season, supporting digestion and immunity. Barnyard millet is a lighter option. Bajra is generally considered better for winter. For more on millet benefits and Ayurvedic eating, consult {Link: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rakhisrasoi/posts/-types-of-monsoon-friendly-grains-monsoon-digestion-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%8F-%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C-%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%BC%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%B2/1119275773557653/}. Jowar is gluten-free and its high fiber aids digestion, prevents constipation, and supports weight management. It also contains antioxidants for immunity, complex carbs for energy, and has a low glycemic index. Ragi is high in calcium for bones, iron for preventing anemia, and is easily digestible. It is also nutrient-dense. Best practices for monsoon bhakri include using coarse flour, kneading with warm water, cooking thoroughly, adding ghee, and serving hot with seasonal vegetables or protein. Jowar, ragi, and barnyard millet are all suitable choices, with barnyard being best for digestion, ragi for calcium and immunity, and jowar a balanced option. Rotating millets offers variety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bajra, being a warming grain, is traditionally considered better for the winter season and can sometimes be heavy for the weaker monsoon digestion. While rich in fiber, lighter millets like jowar or ragi are often preferred during monsoon to avoid sluggishness.

During the rainy season, the body's digestive fire is weaker, and humidity is high. Choosing light, easily digestible bhakris, such as those made from jowar or ragi, helps prevent indigestion, bloating, and supports better gut health.

Jowar bhakri is one of the best for digestion during monsoon due to its high fiber content and prebiotic properties, which promote good gut bacteria. Barnyard millet is also an excellent, easily digestible option.

Yes, you can mix millets. Combining millets like jowar and ragi can provide a wider range of nutrients and improve the overall digestibility and flavor of your bhakri. Always ensure you're using seasonally appropriate millets.

Pairing bhakri with simple, seasonal accompaniments is best. Curd, buttermilk (chaas), fresh chutneys, and light vegetable curries (sabzis) are excellent choices that aid digestion and complement the meal.

Yes, both jowar (sorghum) and ragi (finger millet) are naturally gluten-free. This makes them suitable alternatives for individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

To make bhakri easier to digest, use warm water to knead the dough, add digestive spices like carom seeds (ajwain), and serve it with probiotic-rich foods like curd. Ensuring the flour is fresh and cooked thoroughly also helps.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.