Background: Millets are recognized as “smart foods” due to their high nutritional value and benefits for human health, environmental sustainability, and farmer livelihoods. Despite their role in preventing lifestyle-related diseases, millet consumption has declined due to changing dietary habits.

Objectives: To assess awareness levels, consumption patterns, and factors influencing millet intake among female teachers in selected colleges of Lucknow.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 116 female teachers from Isabella Thoburn College and Navyug Kanya Mahavidyalaya. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire on awareness, consumption practices, sources of information, perceived health benefits, and barriers. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, and the Chi-square test assessed the association between awareness and consumption.

Results: Most participants were aged 36–45 years (22.28%). Awareness of millets was high (98%), but regular consumption was reported by only 38.8%, while 51.7% consumed millets occasionally. Preference for other foods (47.6%) was the primary barrier, followed by long cooking time (19%) and limited availability (10.5%). Friends and family were the main sources of information (39.7%). Health benefits motivated consumption in 65.5% of participants, though knowledge of specific benefits was limited. Indian breads (50%) and breakfast items (46.6%) were the most preferred millet-based foods. A significant association was observed between awareness and consumption (χ² = 96.174, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Despite high awareness, regular millet consumption remained limited. Strengthening nutrition education and government initiatives promoting millet farming, processing, and availability can enhance consumption and support healthier, sustainable diets.