Introduction to Nutri-Cereals

The changes in dietary habits, population growth, and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources exist a deficiency in the capacity to provide adequate and nutritious sustenance for all individuals within the present circumstances. Concurrently, the rapid depletion of natural plant resources underscores the urgency to investigate and develop alternative solutions. Numerous underutilized crops, in addition to the staples wheat and rice, are consumed today and have the potential to completely replace the staples. They possess higher amount of essential micronutrients such as minerals and B-complex vitamins, thereby presenting important role in addressing food security and nutritional well-being within developing countries. Given the growing recognition of millets’ significance, the current chapter focuses on the potential contribution that millets might make to promote dietary diversity and balanced diets. It also offers recommendations for using millets to address food and nutrition security issues worldwide. Utilizing millets in conjunction with other major food crops to create food substitutes is a growing area for the food industry. Millets can also enhance immunity and health, which will aid in the fight against childhood and adolescent malnutrition. Through the process of bio-fortification of staple crops, it can be effectively employed to mitigate the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies. To add proteins and the aforementioned micronutrients, millets might be incorporated into bread, pastries, cakes, biscuits, and cookies. This could turn contemporary foods into functional foods.