Nourish your immunity: Millet and veggies for speedy recovery
When you're hit with a cough, runny nose, and general weakness, supporting yourself with a good diet is essential. It's hard to muster the energy to cook complex meals when feeling under the weather. Luckily, this simple meal provides the nourishment you need and quickly prepares it—it takes less than half an hour. It's straightforward, quick, and very nutritious.
During illness, every meal counts. A well-chosen diet can help you manage the infection and its symptoms more efficiently, but it's important to know what to emphasize.
The best idea
Millet is the first food to consider when you're feeling weak. It's highly nutritious and rich in B vitamins, including B1, B2, B6, and folic acid. Additionally, it is an excellent source of protein. Millet contains essential minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and silicon, all supporting the immune system. Moreover, millet has warming properties that help the body combat colds, particularly those accompanied by a runny nose. It aids in drying out the respiratory tract and reducing nasal secretions.
Add vegetables
While millet has a gentle, slightly nutty flavour, it’s enhanced when paired with vegetables, which provide additional vitamins. Consider incorporating pumpkin due to its high potassium, vitamin E, and beta-carotene content. Carrots are another great choice, offering beta-carotene and vitamins A and K. Beets, rich in fibre, folic acid, magnesium, and sweet potatoes with beta-carotene, alongside red bell peppers, are highly recommended.
Simply arrange the selected vegetables on a large baking tray, generously drizzle with olive oil, and season with turmeric, cayenne pepper, sweet paprika, salt, and pepper. Feel free to add your favourite herbs and garlic too. Bake these for about 25 minutes or until they turn soft. Millet paired with these vegetables makes an excellent meal when facing an illness.
Perfectly cooked
You can enjoy millet with vegetables several times daily when battling a cold. Preparing a batch for the entire day is advisable in one go. Begin by rinsing the millet. The best method involves placing the millet in a sieve and rinsing it several times under running cold water. Next, roast the millet on a dry pan for a few minutes until it releases a slightly nutty aroma, which enhances its flavour. Proceed by cooking it with two cups of water for each cup of millet. Allow it to simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes until it absorbs all the water. After cooking, let it sit covered for a few minutes to achieve a fluffier texture.
