Top 20 Whole Wheat Atta Brands In India: Which Atta Is Best For Your Health?

Best Whole Wheat Atta Brand In India

One food that a majority of India eats on a daily basis is atta. But which one do you use? Aashirwad? Fortune? Patanjali? MP Sharbati atta? Organic or multigrain? What do you think about the local chakki atta? What do the reports say when 10 leading brands of wheat flour were tested? To put it simply, which is the best whole wheat atta in the Indian market? Let us find out.

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For this blog, I not only bought and carefully reviewed the ingredients and nutritional information of wheat flour made by the most popular brands but also delved deeper into the subject by consulting various food experts. I met local flour mill owners and had the opportunity to talk to wheat-growing farmers. Some of the results were very shocking. Read this blog, you will have a clear idea about which atta you should buy. Based on my research, I have categorized all the attas available in the Indian market into five major categories.

Which Is the No. 1 Atta in India?

Top 20 Wheat Atta Brands in India Rank

Category	Brands	Wheat Seed Quality	Notes
Packaged Wheat Flour	Aashirwad, Fortune, Pillsbury, Patanjali, Nature Fresh, Shakti Bhog	Hybrid And High Pesticide Use	Mixed with maida, not truly whole wheat, high pesticide residue, use of preservatives or bleaching agents suspected. Often available at a lower price.
MP Sharbati Atta	Aashirwad, Pillsbury	Hybrid And High Pesticide Use	Marketed as superior due to water absorption for softer rotis, but has similar issues as regular hybrid wheat flour. Often more expensive than regular packaged atta.
Multigrain Atta	Aashirwad, Pillsbury, 24 Mantra Organic	Hybrid And High Pesticide Use	Contains mostly wheat with a small percentage of other grains, often processed ingredients, not supported by Ayurveda for mixing too many grains. Can be more expensive, marketed as healthier.
Organic Whole Wheat Flour	Organic Tattva, Organic Soul, 24 Mantra, Nature Land, PH Organic, MP Sharbati	Hybrid And High Pesticide Use	Grown without harmful chemical fertilizers, slightly better but still not traditional wheat, and uses hybrid seeds. Generally more expensive due to organic farming practices.
Traditional Wheat Varieties	Khapli, Bansi, Kathiya, Lokwan, Sona Moti	Traditional (Desi) And Low Pesticide Use	Ancient varieties with low glycemic index and weak gluten molecules, easier to digest, higher in protein, pricier but ethically grown. Limited availability, usually found in specialty stores or online.

India Whole Wheat Atta Categories:

Category 1: Packaged Wheat Flour Brands

Whole Wheat Flour or Maida Mix?

The first category includes packaged wheat flour by Aashirwad, Fortune, Pillsbury, Patanjali, Nature Fresh, and Shakti Bhog. The main question is whether these are truly whole wheat flour or have maida mixed in them. Although brands boast 0% maida labels on the pack and the ingredient mentioned is just wheat, it might bother you that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) doesn’t specify any requirement for how much dietary fiber atta must have. Brands can mix a little maida and get away with it.

• Nutritional Information: If you check the nutritional information of any atta brand in this category, the dietary fiber content ranges from 9-12 grams per 100 grams. This cannot be a deciding factor. While buying atta, you should check four things:

1. Wheat Seed Quality: Traditional vs. Hybrid.
2. Pesticide Use: Were harmful pesticides like urea and DAP used?
3. Grinding Method: Was the grinding done on a fast or slow chakki?
4. Freshness: Is the atta fresh or not?

• Seed Quality and Pesticide Use: The wheat seed used in this category is not traditional but a hybrid variant. During the Green Revolution of the 1960s, traditional wheat seeds were tempered to produce high-yielding varieties. While these hybrid seeds increased production, they are believed to be a major reason for the rise in diabetes and digestive problems since the 1970s. Atta made from hybrid seeds has hard gluten molecules, which the body finds difficult to digest.
• Pesticide Residue: Pesticide use in wheat cultivation is rampant. From disinfecting the wheat seeds with harmful chemicals to using high amounts of Urea, DAP, and other chemical fertilizers, these practices are regularly done to get more produce with less effort. An independent authority tested 10 popular brands in an NABL-accredited lab, and pesticide residue was found in every atta brand.
• Grinding and Preservatives: Big atta companies claim to use the traditional stone grinding method, but it’s the speed of the stone that matters. Their atta is sent to cooling chambers, suggesting fast stone chakkis. Some food experts suspect that commercially produced atta uses preservatives or bleaching agents to extend shelf life, but due to weak FSSAI guidelines, we can only speculate. Clearly, the wheat flour in Category 1 fails in almost every parameter and should be avoided.
• Packaging and Storage: Another important factor to consider is packaging and storage. Packaged atta is often stored in warehouses for extended periods before reaching the consumer, which can affect its freshness and nutritional quality. Always check the manufacturing date on the package to ensure you’re getting the freshest product possible.

Category 2: MP Sharbati Flour

1. Marketing vs. Reality: This category includes MP Sharbati atta by various brands like Aashirwad and Pillsbury. This atta is marketed as superior because Sharbati quality wheat naturally absorbs more water, making the rotis softer. However, this atta is also from a hybrid seed of the 1960s. The same issues of pesticide use, fast grinding, and lack of freshness apply here as well. The golden color of Sharbati wheat grains might be appealing, but it doesn’t guarantee better health.
2. Nutritional Information: MP Sharbati atta generally has a higher protein content compared to other hybrid wheat flours. It is known for its high gluten content, which contributes to the softness of rotis. However, the high gluten may not be suitable for people with gluten sensitivity or digestive issues.
3. Cultivation Practices: While MP Sharbati wheat is often touted for its superior quality, it’s important to note that the cultivation practices used for this wheat are similar to those used for other hybrid varieties. This means that the same level of pesticide and chemical fertilizer use can be expected, raising concerns about the overall health benefits of this atta.
4. Price and Availability: MP Sharbati atta is typically more expensive than regular wheat flour due to its perceived superior quality and marketing. However, the higher price does not necessarily correlate with better health benefits, especially when considering the similar issues with pesticide use and grinding methods.

Category 3: Multigrain Atta: multigrain Flour for weight loss?

1. Misleading Labels: Brands like Aashirwad, Pillsbury, and 24 Mantra Organic offer multigrain atta. While it sounds healthy, it’s far from the truth. For example, Aashirwad multigrain atta contains 89.9% wheat flour, with the remaining 10.1% including processed and low-nutrient ingredients like defatted soya flour, oat flour, psyllium husk powder, degermed corn flour, and Bengal gram flour. Ayurveda doesn’t endorse mixing too many grains. It’s better to add one or two same-season grains than to add many in small quantities.
2. DIY Multigrain Atta: The best way to use multigrain atta is to make it at home. Mix 100 grams of barley and 100 grams of black chana in 1 kg of wheat or 100 grams of black chana and 100 grams of wheat bran in 1 kg of wheat. In winter, you can add 100 grams of bajra and 100 grams of maize to 1 kg of wheat. This homemade approach is healthier and more cost-effective.
3. Nutritional Information: Multigrain atta is marketed for its high nutritional value, claiming benefits like increased dietary fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals. However, the actual nutritional benefit depends on the proportions and quality of the additional grains used. It’s important to scrutinize the ingredients list and nutritional information on the packaging.
4. Health Considerations: While multigrain atta may offer a broader spectrum of nutrients, it can also pose challenges for people with specific dietary needs or sensitivities. For instance, individuals with gluten intolerance should be cautious as multigrain atta still primarily consists of wheat. Moreover, certain grains might cause digestive issues for some people, so it’s essential to understand your body’s response to different grains.
5. Cost and Availability: Multigrain atta is often more expensive than regular wheat flour due to the inclusion of multiple grains. However, the cost might not always justify the health benefits, especially if the proportions of additional grains are minimal. Making your own multigrain atta at home can be a more economical and healthier alternative.

Category 4: Organic Whole Wheat atta

1. Better but Not Perfect: This category includes organic whole wheat flour by Organic Tattva, Organic Soul, 24 Mantra, Nature Land, and PH Organic MP Sharbati atta. These are better than the previous categories as the wheat is grown without harmful chemical fertilizers like Urea and DAP. However, these are still hybrid seeds, and the grinding is not slow. Despite their higher price, they are one step ahead.
2. Nutritional and Health Benefits: Organic whole wheat flour is richer in nutrients compared to conventional hybrid wheat flour. The absence of harmful chemicals means fewer toxins entering your body. Organic farming practices improve soil health, resulting in more nutritious wheat.
3. Environmental Impact: By choosing organic whole wheat flour, you’re also supporting sustainable farming practices that reduce environmental pollution. Organic farming helps maintain biodiversity and promotes ecological balance.
4. Certification and Authenticity: When purchasing organic wheat flour, it’s crucial to check for credible certifications like USDA Organic, India Organic, or other recognized organic labels. These certifications ensure that the wheat is grown and processed according to strict organic standards. However, be cautious of false claims and verify the authenticity of the certification.
5. Price and Availability: Organic whole wheat flour is generally more expensive than conventional flour due to the higher cost of organic farming practices. However, the health and environmental benefits often justify the extra cost. Organic atta is becoming more widely available in supermarkets and online stores, making it easier for consumers to make healthier choices.

Category 5: Traditional The Best Whole Wheat Atta Varieties

1. The Best Choice: This category includes Khapli, Bansi, Kathiya, Lokwan, and Sona Moti whole wheat flour. These traditional wheat varieties have been consumed for thousands of years without digestive problems or diabetes. They have low glycemic indexes and weak gluten molecules, making them easier for the body to digest. Khapli wheat, in particular, is renowned for its low glycemic index and is often prescribed for diabetic patients.
2. Nutritional and Health Benefits: These traditional varieties are higher in protein content and are grown by farmers using ethical practices. They are pricier due to limited production but are worth the investment for their health benefits. The atta in this category checks three out of four boxes: desi seeds, no pesticides, and freshness.
3. Preservation of Heritage: Choosing traditional wheat varieties supports the preservation of agricultural heritage. These ancient grains have not been genetically modified, and their cultivation practices are passed down through generations, maintaining cultural and agricultural diversity.
4. Nutritional Profile: Traditional wheat varieties are known for their superior nutritional profile. They are rich in essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, which contribute to better overall health. The low glycemic index of these grains helps in managing blood sugar levels, making them an excellent choice for people with diabetes.
5. Cultivation Practices: Farmers growing traditional wheat varieties often follow more sustainable and ethical farming practices. These practices not only enhance soil health but also ensure that the wheat retains its natural nutritional properties. Supporting these farmers helps in promoting sustainable agriculture and reducing the dependency on chemically intensive farming methods.

Conclusion: Choosing The Best Whole Wheat Atta

If you want good quality atta on a budget, search for a local flour mill and ask them to grind the atta with bran. Buy only as much as you will consume in one month to ensure freshness. For those battling digestive issues, gluten intolerance, inflammatory problems, diabetes, or simply wanting the best quality food, switch to desi wheat grain. Check the manufacturing date if buying packaged atta. For the ultimate choice, buy desi wheat grain and get it freshly ground.

Practical Tips: How To Choose The Best Whole Wheat Flour?

• Storage: Store your atta in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to maintain freshness and prevent pest infestation.
• Consumption: Consume atta within a month of purchase to ensure you get the maximum nutritional benefits.
• Mixing: If you prefer mixing grains, do it at home to control the proportions and ensure quality.

Top 20 Whole Wheat Atta Brands in India