Foxtail Millet (Kangni) Nutrition Calculator

Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica), commonly known as Kangni in Hindi, is one of the oldest cultivated cereal crops in the world. Archaeological evidence suggests it was first domesticated in northern China approximately 8,000 years ago, making it one of humanity's earliest grain crops.

It is classified as a minor millet and is widely grown across India, China, Japan, and parts of Southeast Asia. In India, it is cultivated primarily in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan. Foxtail millet is a short-duration crop (60–90 days) with exceptional drought tolerance, requiring minimal water and fertilizer inputs — making it one of the most climate-resilient cereal crops.

The grain is naturally gluten-free — it does not contain the gliadin or glutenin proteins found in wheat, barley, or rye. Foxtail millet is recognized for its notably high protein content (12.3g per 100g, 25% DV), high thiamine content (0.59mg per 100g, 49% DV), and its low glycemic index (GI 50).

Foxtail millet is known by various regional names: Kangni (Hindi), Navane (Kannada), Thinai (Tamil), and Korra (Telugu). Its scientific name is Setaria italica.

To compare Kangni with other millet varieties, use the complete Millet Nutrition Calculator. You can also browse every live calculator in Millet Nutrition Tools.

Sources: ICAR-IIMR / PMC (2024), PMC — Foxtail Millet: A Multi-Functional Crop (2023), FAO — International Year of Millets 2023.

Raw foxtail millet (Setaria italica) provides 351 kcal per 100g. This is comparable to white rice (360 kcal) and whole wheat (346 kcal). However, calorie content changes significantly with preparation method due to water absorption during cooking.

When boiled or cooked as porridge, foxtail millet absorbs approximately 2–3 times its weight in water. This reduces the calorie density to approximately 105 kcal per 100g cooked — a reduction of roughly 70%. Roti and upma preparations retain more concentrated calories since less water is involved.

For a standard serving of 1 cup cooked foxtail millet (~170g), you can expect approximately 179 kcal. If prepared as roti or upma (denser preparations), calorie retention is higher — around 250–298 kcal per 100g — because minimal water is absorbed.

Source: ICAR-IIMR / PMC (2024), USDA FoodData Central.

Per 100g of raw foxtail millet grain, the key nutritional values are:

The standout figures are thiamine at 0.59mg (49% DV) — the highest among common millets — and protein at 12.3g (25% DV). Foxtail millet contains approximately 1.9× more protein than white rice (6.4g) and over 26× more fiber (0.3g). Net carbs = 60.9g − 8g = 52.9g per 100g raw.

Source: ICAR-IIMR / PMC (2024), USDA FoodData Central.

Foxtail millet contains 12.3g of protein per 100g (25% DV) — one of the highest protein contents among common cereal grains. This is roughly 1.9 times more protein than white rice (6.4g) and comparable to whole wheat (11.8g).

Amino Acid Profile

Research indicates that foxtail millet has a relatively balanced amino acid profile compared to other cereal grains. It contains higher levels of methionine (a sulfur-containing essential amino acid) and tryptophan compared to many other millets. These amino acids are often limiting in other cereal grains, making foxtail millet a more complete plant-based protein source.

Protein in the Grain Structure

The protein in foxtail millet is distributed across the endosperm, aleurone layer, and germ. Unlike highly refined grains where the bran and germ are removed, traditional foxtail millet processing retains these protein-rich layers, preserving the overall protein content.

Comparison with Other Grains

Sources: ICAR-IIMR / PMC (2024), USDA FoodData Central, PMC — Foxtail Millet: A Multi-Functional Crop (2023).

The glycemic index (GI) of foxtail millet is approximately 50, classifying it as a low-GI food (≤55). This is substantially lower than white rice (GI ~72) and whole wheat (GI ~74).

Several factors contribute to foxtail millet's low GI value:

• High dietary fiber content (8g/100g) — among the highest for millets
• Protein–starch matrix in the endosperm that slows enzymatic access to starch
• Presence of slow-digesting starch and resistant starch fractions
• Phenolic compounds that may modulate starch digestion rates

Glycemic Load (GL)

While GI measures the quality of carbohydrate response, glycemic load accounts for the actual amount consumed. GL gives a more practical measure for a given serving.

Effect of Preparation on Glycemic Response

Preparation method significantly affects the glycemic response. Cooling cooked foxtail millet before consumption may increase resistant starch content, further lowering the glycemic response. Roti preparations tend to have a slightly different glycemic profile than porridge due to the dry-cooking process affecting starch gelatinization. Adding protein-rich accompaniments (dal, curd) can further moderate the glycemic response of the meal.

Sources: ICAR-IIMR / PMC (2024), PMC — Foxtail Millet: A Multi-Functional Crop (2023).

Foxtail millet and white rice are both widely consumed cereal grains, but they differ in several key nutritional aspects. Here is a factual, side-by-side comparison per 100g of raw grain:

Key Differences

• Protein: Foxtail millet provides 12.3g protein per 100g — nearly double that of white rice (6.4g). This makes kangni one of the most protein-dense cereal grains.
• Fiber: Foxtail millet has 8g fiber per 100g — over 26 times more than white rice (0.3g). This high fiber content contributes to its lower glycemic index.
• Glycemic Index: Foxtail millet (GI 50) has a substantially lower glycemic index than white rice (GI 72), a difference of 22 GI points, placing it in the low-GI category vs. rice's high-GI classification.
• Iron: Foxtail millet contains 2.8mg iron — approximately 4.7 times more than white rice (0.6mg).
• Thiamine: Foxtail millet provides 0.59mg thiamine compared to rice's 0.40mg — approximately 48% more.

Sources: ICAR-IIMR / PMC (2024), USDA FoodData Central.

Foxtail millet contains 0.59mg of thiamine (Vitamin B1) per 100g — approximately 49% of the Daily Value (1.2mg). This is the highest thiamine content among common millets and cereal grains, making foxtail millet a standout source of this essential B-vitamin.

What Is Thiamine?

Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a critical role in energy metabolism — specifically in converting carbohydrates into usable energy (ATP). It is also essential for proper nervous system function and is involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters. The body does not store thiamine in large quantities, so regular dietary intake is important.

Comparison with Other Grains

Foxtail millet provides 2.3× more thiamine than sorghum (0.26mg) and 2.5× more than whole wheat (0.24mg). Even compared to white rice (0.40mg, often enriched), foxtail millet delivers approximately 48% more thiamine from its natural grain composition.

Sources: ICAR-IIMR / PMC (2024), USDA FoodData Central, PMC — Foxtail Millet: A Multi-Functional Crop (2023).

Our calculator provides comprehensive nutrition data for foxtail millet (kangni). Here is how to interpret the key values:

% Daily Value (%DV)

The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet based on FDA 2020+ reference amounts for a 2,000 calorie diet. A general guide: 5% DV or less is considered low; 20% DV or more is considered high.

Net Carbs

Net carbs are calculated as Total Carbohydrates minus Dietary Fiber. For foxtail millet: 60.9g − 8g = 52.9g net carbs per 100g raw. Net carbs represent the carbohydrates that are digested and absorbed by the body. This value is relevant for those tracking total digestible carbohydrate intake.

Calorie Breakdown

The macro donut chart shows what percentage of total calories comes from each macronutrient. For raw foxtail millet: approximately 14% from protein, 69% from carbohydrates, and 11% from fat. Foxtail millet has a higher fat and protein proportion than most other millets, which contributes to its lower carbohydrate share. This ratio shifts when accompaniments are added.

Glycemic Load vs. Glycemic Index

GI is a fixed property of the food (50 for foxtail millet). GL adjusts for the actual serving size. A smaller serving will have a lower GL, even though the GI stays the same. Use GL as the more practical indicator for your specific portion.

Energy Density

Energy density (kcal/g) indicates how calorie-dense the prepared food is. Raw foxtail millet has 3.51 kcal/g, but cooking reduces this to approximately 1.05 kcal/g. Lower energy density means you can eat a larger volume of food for the same calorie count.

For a deeper comparison across all 12+ millet varieties, visit our complete Millet Nutrition Calculator.