Sugar Watchers Millet Low GI Instant Idli Mix Review – Mishry

A plate of steaming hot idlis with some sambar and chutney- that’s a complete meal, nutrition-wise. You get your carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and fiber too. But why do nutritionists advise against relishing this treat? That’s because idlis are primarily made of rice. Rice, as we know, is a form of simple carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates spike blood sugars and insulin instantly, resulting in an equally quick energy crash later. 

Sugar Watchers, a celebrity nutritionist-recommended brand, has been making the headlines lately. They offer a Low GI idli mix that claims to taste like regular rice-based idli but also helps manage sugar levels and weight. 

While we cannot corroborate the ‘weight management’ claim, Mishry set out to review its cooking method, ingredient list and nutritional label. We also check how close does this come to the OG counterpart in terms of texture and taste. For more details, read our Sugar Watchers Millet Low GI Instant Idli mix review. 

More on Sugar Watchers Millet Low GI Instant Idli mix’s taste, texture, packaging, price and shelf life in this section. 

1. Packaging

The millet mix is offered in a transparent pouch that is not resealable. 

2. Main Ingredients

Little millet fine semolina ( सामा/कुटकी ), Roasted black gram flour, Baking soda, Citric acid, and Salt are the ingredients used. 

3. Taste

Primarily, the idlis prepared with this mix had an earthy, very millet-like taste. There was a prominent nuttiness too. 

Goes without saying, this is very different from our usual rice or suji based idlis, in terms of taste. 

4. Texture

Texture-wise, regular idlis and these millet idlis were comparable. These millet idlis are spongy and super soft. They must therefore be served carefully as they are prone to breakage. 

5. Aroma

In the dry stage, the powder did not really have a bold aroma. However, as the mix was converted to a batter and once the idlis were cooked, the nutty aroma intensified. 

6. Appearance

The idlis didn’t have the signature white appearance. They were slightly on the browner side.

Once cooked, the idlis looked fluffy. 

7. Price

A 200-gram pack is priced at Rs 149/-.

8. Shelf Life

This Low GI millet mix has a shelf life of five months. 

9. Nutritional Facts

Per 100 grams, Sugar Watchers Idli mix offers 363.38 Kcal, of which 68.56 grams is carbohydrates, 15.76 grams is protein, 2.9 grams of fat, and  7.87 grams of fiber.

Additionally, there is 7.67 mg of calcium, 6.03 mg of iron, and 3.35 mg of zinc. 

When compared to rice-based idlis, they offer 345 Kcal with 71 grams of carbohydrates, 11 grams of protein, and 1.9 grams of fat.

Sugar Watchers Millet Low GI Instant Idli mix comes in a transparent pouch that is not resealable. 

As instructed, we added equal portions of the idli mix, curd, and water, and mixed well until a lump-free batter was achieved. The recommended ratios were spot-on, no adjustments were needed. We did not add any salt.

Once the batter was ready, we greased the molds and added less than a ladle-full of the batter. In 15 minutes, the batter had risen and our idlis looked well-cooked. We performed the toothpick test to ensure the idlis were fully cooked.

What is the toothpick test, you ask? Turn off the flame only when the pierced toothpick comes out clean.

These millet idlis are VERY soft, almost fragile. The aroma and taste felt fairly nutty and earthy. Taste-wise, the salt is perfect, it requires no adjustments. The characteristic nutty taste of millets is a bit too much for us. 

We served our idlis with some turmeric-amla chutney (you can eat it with a tomato-peanut or coconut chutney as well) and found the taste to be elevated. The chutney tones down the nuttiness quite a bit. Regardless, these millet idlis are palatable with or without the dip. 

Features

• A 200-gram pack is priced at Rs 149/-.
• It has a shelf life of five months.
• Main Ingredients- Little millet fine semolina, Roasted black gram flour, Baking soda, Citric acid and Salt 

Pros

• This is a convenient way to incorporate millets to your diet. 
• This instant idli mix makes for a beginner-friendly product.
• The proportions and cooking instructions provided are spot-on.
• You just need one ingredient from your kitchen. 
• This is nutrient-dense and preservative-free. 
• The texture almost matches that of the rice-based counterpart.
• Full marks for balanced salt levels.
• We LOVED the clean ingredient list.
• Compared to a rice idli, these are lower in carbs, higher in protein and fibre content.
• Made primarily using millets, this has a low glycemic index. This is beneficial for diabetics.

Cons

• The nuttiness was slightly overwhelming for us. But for those who enjoy a bold millet flavor, might like it. 

Best Suited For

Looking for a super convenient way to add millets to your diet? We recommend trying Sugar Watchers Millet Low GI Instant Idli mix. 

Here are some interesting FAQs on Sugar Watchers Millet Low GI Instant Idli mix.

1. Is this idli mix really diabetic-friendly?

The brand has a certificate from the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute that shows the GI comparison between this millet idli mix and glucose.

The lower the GI, the better for individuals with diabetes or borderline diabetes. 

2. What is the glycemic index of this idli mix?

The In-vitro glycemic index is 38 of Sugar Watchers Millet Low GI instant idli mix. 

3. Does this idli mix contain preservatives? 

No, this is a preservative-free mix. 

4. Can idli be consumed every day for breakfast?

Yes, this millet mix is a good source of micronutrients like minerals and vitamins that are beneficial for overall wellness. 

5. Is this idli mix gluten-free?

Yes, this is a gluten-free idli mix. 

Sugar Watchers Millet Low GI Instant Idli mix is high on nutrients. The relatively lower glycemic index and clean ingredient list are remarkable. Texture-wise, this is almost like regular steamed idlis.

The earthy and nutty flavors were a little too much for us, but when paired with a chutney it lowers substantially. 

Does your diet include millets? If yes, in what form? Let us know!

Our reviews are unbiased and all samples used during the reviews were paid for by us. Read our entire ethics statement here.