Covid-19 is changing the way city millennials eat

Hyderabad: Young millennials in Hyderabad are increasingly choosing healthy, nutritious foods over high-calorie junk foods. Nutritionists in the city attribute this paradigm shift to Covid-19, which they believe has undeniably changed millennial eating habits.

According to nutrition experts, these health-conscious millennials have recognised the importance of rethinking their lifestyles and incorporating healthy habits. Consequently, millets have become a popular choice among young people due to the health benefits of regular consumption.

According to Dr Hemalatha R., director of the National Institute of Nutrition, "Nutrition and balanced diets along with physical activity and lifestyle adjustments can foster mental and physical wellbeing. They can reduce both communicable and non-communicable diseases.”

Millets, according to experts, are nutritious and low in acidity, making them easy to digest. They recommend that millets be included in the daily diet because high polished rice and wheat may not provide adequate nutrients and fibre. "The highly polished form of rice and wheat is not able to provide micro nutrients and fibre, '' said Dr Janaki Srinath, associate professor (nutrition) at Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University and national executive member of Nutrition Society of India.

According to nutritionists, millets can increase immunity, improve longevity, help with weight loss, and eliminate hunger pangs.  No wonder several Hyderabad restaurants have incorporated millets into their menus. For instance, a café in Musheerabad serves a variety of dishes made of millets.

“We serve millet-based foods such as ragi idli, sajjela bonda, korval upma, ragulu and dosa along with authentic coconut, tomato and ginger chutneys at a fixed rate of Rs 30 a plate. We also serve millet-based gruel for Rs 10 a glass of 200 ml,” said Renuka, the owner of Millet Café.

Many hostellers that frequent the café claim to eat millet-based food for breakfast because it keeps them alert in class, as opposed to oily food, which makes them drowsy. “We are gradually adjusting to millets, but it will take some time. Our willpower is being tested because our taste buds are so conditioned to spicy food," said a student.

The number of organic shops in Hyderabad has grown dramatically in recent years, with millets being the most popular products. As people grow increasingly conscious of the value of a healthy diet, millet appears to have made its way onto the menus of a substantial number of homes.

According to retail food stores managements, more people are purchasing millets. "Not just senior citizens, but a lot of youngsters are purchasing nutritious foods like millets because of the awareness created by the media," says Babu Rao S., proprietor of Vijaya Enterprises, a small business outlet at RTC crossroads.