RICE , CHAPATHI OF WHEAT OR BESAN , MILLETS , GLYCEMIC INDEX, DIABETES :

In mid 1960’s India was getting aware of the rising incidence of Diabetes. We remember the doctors in the south of India , discouraged the consumption of white rice and to replace with wheat based products citing the Glycemic Index factor.
The whole promotion of the concept to Replacing / substituting for white rice to whole wheat products like phulka, Chapathi came to being as there was also shortage of Rice in the south . U.S.A. sent ship loads of wheat under PL 480 .
The “Green Revolution” the result of irrigation water from NEW Bakra Nangal Dam completion (1963) & the combined efforts of the Agricultural Scientist M.S. Swaminathan & Agri Minister C. Subramanian . The rich dividends came in the form of surplus wheat production in the northern part of India. Just then the doctors were also getting aware and alarmed of the incidence of Diabetes in India . So they had to recommend food with low carbohydrates content and Glycemic Index . White rice (mill polished rice ) and Maida was no - no for the Diabetic Patients .
Apparently 2 Problems were solved ,
* consumption pattern of Staple food in south changed partially . There was wide spread propaganda that rice produces Diabetes in the long run. So Rice in the afternoon and Wheat in the night habit prevailed . It gained more popularity in Kerala as they had very little rice cultivation .
* utility for Surplus wheat produced in India .
Glycemic Index [G.I.]of Grains.
Brown Rice : 68
WHITE RICE : 73
Whole wheat : 62
MAIDA : 89
Besan /
Chick pea : 52
The millets shown in the attachment were literally not known to the rich and the middle class as it was consumed mainly by the farm workers and the poor . Millets were cheap then. Actually Millets have much lower G.I. than the Whole wheat (from 41 - 62). more