Bread is an integral part of every other cuisine. And what makes a good bread? The types of flour used in it.
Different kinds of flours determine how healthy your bread will be. So, let’s take a look at the flours name and benefits to decide which one you are adding to your diet.
13 Different Types of Flour With Name List
1. Whole Wheat Flour
Among the different types of atta, whole wheat flour is the most common ingredient in Indian households. It contains a good amount of gluten. Therefore, it is processed and refined to reduce it.
100g of whole wheat flour contains 13g of protein.
Benefits:
Atta is rich in bran and fibre. So, it keeps your gut as well as your digestive system healthy. Besides, the presence of carbohydrates, Selenium, Manganese, Folate, Copper, and Phosphorus makes it a very nutritious addition to your meal.
Best used for:
Whole wheat flour is suitable for making roti, puri, and parathas.
2. Gram Flour or Besan
Made from dried chickpeas, besan is another common type of atta in Indian households. It has a nutty taste and texture to add flavours to your meal.
100g of besan contains around 22g of protein.
Benefits:
Apart from its high protein content, besan is also a great source of minerals including iron, potassium, copper, zinc, phosphorus, folate, vitamin B6 etc. Besan is often used in nourishing skin and hair.
Best used for:
From making “besan ke ladoo” to savory curry pakora, besan has a variety of uses in Indian cuisine. Sometimes, besan is quite helpful in non-culinary purposes such as making face or hair masks as well.
3. Rice Flour
Rice flour is a great choice of atta for people with gluten intolerance. A staple in South India, this atta is made by grinding broken rice grains.
100 gm of rice flour provides around 6 gm of protein.
Benefits:
Being one of the most easily digestible flours, it is often used in preparing baby foods and cereals. Loaded with Fibers, Proteins, Carbohydrates, and minerals like Magnesium, Copper, Thiamin etc, rice flour is a good source of nutrition.
Best used for:
You can prepare a number of South Indian delicacies such as Idli, Dosa etc. Rice flour is also useful in making snacks or fritter crispier.
4. All-Purpose Flour or Maida
The most widely used type of flour across the world, maida is a top choice for many. It is known for its usage in a variety of cuisines.
100 gm of maida delivers around 11 gm of protein.
Benefits:
Although this flour is a favourite to many, it’s not considered healthy. It is high in gluten that is difficult to digest and harmful for your digestive health as well. Moreover, this refined flour is a good source of protein and some vital minerals including Iron, Thiamin, Niacin and Folic acid.
Best used for:
It is largely used in baking as well as in making pasta sauce for its light texture. In India, it is used in making paratha, puri, momo etc.
5. Multigrain Atta
This is another varieties of flour very rich in nutrients. Multigrain Atta is made by mixing different varieties of whole cereals for providing better nourishment.
100 gm of multigrain atta generally offers 8.8 gm of protein. Depending on the grains used, the value can change.
Benefits:
Made by mixing Jowar, bajra, wheat and ragi, Multigrain Atta contains high fibres and a low Glycemic Index. So, you can always have it even if you are diabetic.
Best used for:
Multigrain atta is generally used in making Indian bread, cookies, etc.
6. Pearl Millet Flour or Bajra Atta
Bajra Atta is one of the famous in flours name list, it is also known as Pearl Millet, is commonly found in areas with high temperatures. This healthy atta is known as a powerhouse of essential vitamins and minerals.
100 gm of Bajra roti offers around 11.92 gm of protein.
Benefits:
Bajra Atta is rich in protein, fibre and minerals like magnesium, iron, and phosphorus. It is also a rich source of vitamin E and B complex. This nutritious atta keeps the heart healthy by controlling cholesterol levels.
Best used for:
This atta is used in making chapatis, roti as well as in multigrain atta.
Also Read: Bajra Benefits
7. Soybean Flour
Made from milled soybeans, this is a very healthy variety of atta. It contains a good amount of protein as well as iron to benefit your health.
100 gm of soy flour provides about 47 gm of protein.
Benefits:
Due to its high iron content, this is beneficial for women to tackle the side effects of menopause. However, avoid using soybean atta if you have thyroid issues or high uric acid.
Best used for:
Soybean atta is a great thickening agent to use in homemade sauces. As a wheat flour substitute, it is also useful in making quick bread and cookies. You can try it in frying batter or dough to reduce fat absorption as well.
8. Ragi flour
Ragi, also known as finger millet, is a rich source of protein. With calcium, iron, niacin, thiamine, amino acids present in it, ragi flour is a powerhouse of nutrients.
100 gm of ragi flour delivers about 13 gm of protein.
Benefits:
This flour is a favourite among gym-goers for its contribution to weight management. Foods containing ragi flour can reduce weight by preventing hunger pangs. In addition to that, it can control diabetes, anaemia as well.
Best used for:
With ragi flour prepare some filling Roti, Chila, cookies, and biscuits. It is often mixed with whole wheat flour to bring out the taste of regular rotis.
Also Read: Ragi Nutrition Facts
9. Maize Flour or Makkai Atta
With an extended shelf life, maize flour or cornmeal is quite popular in North India. It is a great source of healthy carbs, fibres, proteins and several minerals including phosphorus and magnesium.
100 gm of cornmeal provides 7 gm of protein.
Benefits:
Makkai atta is a diabetic-friendly ingredient and good for eye health as well. But due to its high fibre content, too much of this atta could be hard to digest.
Best used for:
Generally, you can use this type of atta in making cornbread, rotis, parathas and chila. Sometimes it is used as a coating for fritters as well.
10. Jowar Flour Or Sorghum
Being a gluten-free flour, Jowar is a very nutritious choice for many. It’s rich in fibre as well as several vitamins and minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, vitamin B12, Vitamin A, Zinc, iron etc.
100 gm of jowar offers 11g of protein.
Benefits:
The high-fibre content in jowar atta helps in regulating the blood flow. It also makes the atta good for both diabetes and digestion.
Best used for:
You can make some porridge, roti, chapatis, and parathas with the help of Jowar atta.
11. Oats Flour
A rich source of dietary fibre, also known as beta-glucan, oats offers a long list of nutritional benefits. It is also perfectly suitable for people with gluten intolerance.
100 gm of oats atta contains 14.9 gm of protein.
Benefits:
Being high-fibre atta, it is ideal for diabetic patients, weight watchers as well as heart patients. By lowering down LDL or bad cholesterol, it reduces the risk of heart diseases.
Best used for:
This flour is suitable for making gluten-free bread, cookies and snacks.
12. Almond Flour
Made from blanched almonds, this atta offers a great nutty taste in your meals. It contains unsaturated fats to help you live a healthy life.
100 gm of almond flour contains 21.8 gm of protein.
Benefits:
Being low in carbohydrates and high in protein, this atta is a great choice for weight management. It is rich in vitamin E and other antioxidants to reduce the risk of severe health conditions like stroke, and heart disease.
Best used for:
Almond flour is good for preparing baked goods and dessert filling for extra moisture and a nutty taste. It is not a replacement of flour in yeast or quick bread.
13. Buckwheat Flour (Kuttu Atta)
Made from buckwheat, this atta is major in all flours name list, it is generally added with other flours for a hearty, grassy flavour and colour. If the flavour is too strong for you, then you can use white buckwheat flour instead.
100 gm of raw buckwheat offers 13.3 gm of protein.
Benefits:
It is a highly nutritious flour often considered a superfood. Buckwheat provides an array of health benefits such as promoting weight loss, improving heart health and managing diabetes. It’s a very good source of energy.
Best used for:
Buckwheat atta is a good choice for making fresh pasta and pancakes.
Now you are all set to choose the types of flour best suited for your health! Enjoy healthy eating.
