Nallammal, a spirited 90-year-old woman from Tirupur district, credits her remarkable health and longevity to a diet rich in traditional millets. As she reflects on her life, she shares the simple yet profound secret behind her well-being.
Back in the 1940s, our region had very little water. Growing water-intensive crops like rice was difficult, so we focused on cultivating different types of millets like ragi, kambu, sorghum, and samai (little millet).”
She fondly recalls that rice was a rare luxury during her childhood. “Rice was like a treasure to us,” she reminisces. “We only had it during special occasions, like festivals or weddings. Our daily meals were made from millet.”
As time passed and the economy improved, dietary habits in Nallammal's village began to change. Nallammal quoted that,
Despite these changes, Nallammal stayed true to her roots and continued to include millets like kambu, ragi, and sorghum in her diet. She especially enjoyed them during the hot summer months for their cooling effect.
“Even now, I make sure to eat ragi,” she says proudly. “My granddaughter understands the importance of our traditional foods and often buys millets for me. It keeps me connected to my past and brings me great joy.”
Nallammal is pleased to see a growing interest in millet-rich diets. “I hear that people are starting to eat millets again, and I think that’s a wonderful decision,” she says. “Millets are not only nutritious but also sustainable. They’re good for our health and for the environment.” Know more about why it is a high time to include millets in your diet?
Nallammal’s story highlights the lasting value of traditional dietary practices and their profound impact on health. Enriched by the simplicity and nourishment of millets, her life is a powerful reminder of the wisdom in returning to age-old food traditions by choosing what is good for you.
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