Find the Right Flour

Wholewheat has B vitamins;minerals such as potassium,zinc,magnesium,phosphorus and selenium;fibre;and proteins.But its glycaemic index is not among the besta fact that becomes important if you have diabetes.Wheat contains a protein called gluten,which can cause a reaction in the body.A severe form is coeliac disease in which intestines become bald,losing their absorptive capacity.A less severe form is gluten allergy,where a person develops skin rashes;the commonest form is gluten sensitivity.

Wheat allergy

These patients have symptoms of indigestion,migraines,general weakness,muscular and bone pains,and can develop schizophrenia.Gluten sensitivity is more in older people.It is precipitated by aspirin and anti-inflammatory painkillers.Gluten is also present in grains such as barley,rye and oats.


The right flour

So,what is the right flour Here is a list,with glycaemic indexes listed alongside.Rural India has been eating multigrain flour sattu,a combination of seven flours such as makai,barley,chana,arahar,matar,khesari or Lathyrus Sativus (now banned as it can lead to a type of paralysis) and horsegram.It could combine combine cereals,pulses and millets.People make chapatis of sattu and eat them with green chilliesit keeps them slim and gives them enough stamina to work untiringly through the day.

Combine to make your own sattu:

Soya (25) is high on protein,omega-3 fats,phosphorus,calcium,iron,potassium,Vitamin C and B complex.Besan (30) or chickpea flour has high protein,MUFA,PUFA (good fats),very high iron content,calcium and fibre.Indian corn (35) has magnesium,phosphorus and potassium.Mexican quinoa (35) has folate,magnesium & phosphate.Pearl barley (36) is like wheat.Oats (40) has protein,fibre,iron and calcium.Brown basmati (45) has selenium,vitamin B-1,omega-3,Vitamin E and fibre.Wholewheat (58) has B vitamins,minerals such as potassium,zinc,magnesium,phosphorus,selenium,fibre and proteins.Bajra (58) has pearl millet,calcium,phosphorus,iron,(lower sugar content than jowar).Ragi (86) or nachni,finger millet has proteins,calcium & fibre.Dried peas,rajma and arhar are also good.When you combine different cereals,legumes,millets and pulses as flour,you get all the nutrition you need.Refer