(Image source from: Times Food - Times of India)

If you are from the north of India, you may be familiar with sattu, a simple dish traditionally made from roasted gram flour.

It can be either eaten as a porridge or stuffed into paranthas. But most commonly, it is had as a drink mixed in water and spiced with various ingredients. In many parts of the country, sattu drink is recommended to children from poor families who can’t afford proteinaceous foods like eggs or milk.

This food has been around in the subcontinent for ages.

A hundred grams of sattu flour has around 403 calories, 60gm carbs, 8gm fats and 21gm proteins. It also contains minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, and magnesium. Many traditional Indian bodybuilders from the rural hinterlands also consume sattu as a nutritional supplement, which helps them in adding bulk and muscle.

It is a treasure trove of nutrition. From weight loss to heart health, here are some amazing health benefits of sattu.

1. Lets Body Cool Down

A quick drink of sattu, water, and some jaggery or honey is all you need for an instant pick me up. No need to buy expensive sports drinks that can harm your body in the long run. You can also flavor it with cardamom, fennel and other spices of your choice.

2. Helps in Digestion

Sattu is also gentle on the digestive system. Gram flour is full of insoluble fiber, which improves your digestive health. It fixes problems like bloating, flatulence and acidity.

3. Acts as Meal Replacement

If you are on the go and have no time for breakfast, fret not. Gulp down a tablespoon of sattu in a glass of hot milk or water and jaggery as your nutritious morning meal. It will keep you full, give you energy and save your time.

4. Treats Diabetes

If you have high blood sugar, chances are, your food choices are limited. But diabetics can have sattu with their meals. Endocrinologists recommend eating sattu for diabetes due to its favorable glycaemic index.

By Sowmya Sangam