The Talk: Millets and Gluten-Free Nutrition
Ambika Nair spoke about recent advances on millets in a gluten-free diet at the launch of Bajra and Jowar Flakes products by Skyroots, held at Hotel Crown Plaza, Pune.
Key Topics Covered
Foods to Include and Avoid on a Gluten-Free Diet
The audience received a comprehensive breakdown of which foods can be safely included in a gluten-free diet (millets, rice, corn, quinoa, legumes) and which must be excluded (wheat, barley, rye, and cross-contaminated products).
Understanding the Spectrum
A detailed differentiation was presented on:
• Celiac disease — an autoimmune response to gluten causing intestinal damage
• Gluten intolerance — broader sensitivity without the autoimmune mechanism
• Gluten sensitivity — non-celiac, non-allergic reaction
• Wheat allergy — IgE-mediated immune response to wheat proteins
• Pre-celiac disease — early-stage markers before full celiac develops
Diagnostic tests for each condition were also discussed, helping attendees understand when and why testing is relevant.
The Power of Millets
All major varieties of millets — bajra (pearl millet), jowar (sorghum), ragi (finger millet), foxtail millet, kodo millet, little millet — were discussed in terms of:
• Nutritional profiles (high fibre, iron, calcium, and B vitamins)
• Benefits in lifestyle diseases including diabetes, PCOD, obesity, and anaemia
• Evidence from recent research studies
Why Millets for Gluten-Free?
Millets are naturally gluten-free, highly nutritious, and deeply rooted in Indian food culture — making them an ideal alternative for people managing gluten-related conditions. The 2023 International Year of Millets brought renewed global attention to their potential.