If you are from the north of India, you may be familiar with sattu. Said to have originated in Bihar, sattu is a simple dish traditionally made from roasted gram flour. The dry, powdered food is consumed in many ways. It’s 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. Sattu is not only versatile, but also extremely nutritious and cheap. 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. Sattu recipes are dime a dozen. But while it’s inexpensive, sattu is also a treasure trove of nutrition. From weight loss to heart health, here are some amazing health benefits of sattu.

What is Sattu?

Sattu is a dish made of roasted, powdered gram or chana. It can also be fortified using other cereals and pulses. The dry flour or sattu ka atta can be used in many ways. In states like Bihar, it is had as a drink. In other parts of northern India, sattu is flavoured with spices or used as a stuffing for parathas. It’s also mixed with jaggery and water for a refreshing, hydrating drink.

Sattu Nutrition

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.

Cools the Body Down

Sattu is consumed in the hot summer months as a drink to cool the body down. It is also a great hydrator when your body loses electrolytes through sweat. Mix a few teaspoons with cooled water and consume it during the hot months. Health Benefits of Quinoa: Why this High-Protein Superfood is Important for Vegans & Vegetarians.

Gives Instant Energy Drink

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 flavour it with cardamom, fennel and other spices of your choice.

Improves Digestion

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

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.

Is Diabetic Friendly

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 favourable glycaemic index.

Sattu is testimony to our ancient food wisdom. This food has been around in the subcontinent for ages. But it is only recently that people have acknowledged sattu’s benefits. This gram flour powder is a treasure trove of nutrients and is quite inexpensive. If this doesn’t convince you to stock up your pantry with sattu, nothing will!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 03, 2019 02:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).