Myth or fact: For those trying to lose weight, chai may not be the ideal beverage - The Indian Express

That everything we eat or drink has an effect on our health is a well-known fact. Does that mean that in addition to highly processed foods, sugar, and other fried items, beverages like coffee and tea can also hamper our health and fitness journey? Now, that is a scary thought as many of us just cannot imagine a single day without sipping on them. So, let’s uncover the truth by sifting fiction from fact.

According to Mac Singh, a dietitian, tea can indeed prevent weight loss if not consumed sensibly, something he reasoned on Instagram. “Tea contains high levels of compounds that help to reduce the amount of fat absorbed by the gut and can cut cholesterol, but the proteins present in milk hinder the fat absorbing capabilities of tea,” Singh informed, as she listed some more resons.

Sugar

A cup of tea is often loaded with sugar, which isn’t ideal for weight loss. “If you are having 4-5 cups of tea with sugar in a day, it can be equivalent to the main course,” said Singh.

Paired with snacks

For most people, a cup of tea is incomplete without cookies or namkeen, which makes this an extremely unhealthy benevrage to go for, said Singh.

Lacks nutrition

We don’t get any health benefit from milk protein. “Therefore, it is always advised to take tea without milk,” said Singh.

Do you pair your tea with snacks? (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

So, should we stop consuming tea?

According to Singh, one can still have a cup of tea — but without sugar, only a little milk, and various seasonings like ginger, cinnamon, or cardamom to increase the nutritive value of your cup. “Avoid consuming snacks like biscuits and namkeen and have some nutritious snacks like almonds, walnuts, etc. instead,” Singh said.

Other things to keep in mind

– Chai is acidic, which causes acidity, acid reflux, and bloating. So it should be consumed in moderation.
– Also drinking tea close to bedtime causes insomnia.
– Overcooking chai in milk can cause increased fat storage, Singh said.

However, according to Garima Goyal, a registered dietitian, having a cup or two of tea will do no harm as moderation is the key. But she suggested considering the following pointers:

Acidity and bloating – Don’t consume tea on an empty stomach. Also, avoid drinking tea in high amounts as it can make you feel gassy and bloated due to its high caffeine content. On top of it, the addition of milk to the tea also leads to gas production.

High in sugar content – Try having sugar-free tea, or limit the addition of sugar as if you consume 3-4 cups a day, you would end up consuming roughly 35-40 grams of sugar, equivalent to 7-8 teaspoons.

Constipation – Tea contains a chemical compound known as theophylline which, if consumed in excess, dries out the body and dehydrates it, triggering constipation. Also caffeine content in tea is dehydrating.

Unhealthy munching – Most people munch on unhealthy calorie-dense snacks such as namkeen or cookies with tea, which equates to extra unwanted calories.

What is the best way to have tea?

According to Yogita Chavan, dietitian, Godrej Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, tea in itself does not have any major effect on weight if it is consumed as a small cup, 1-2 times a day, with 50 ml milk and 1/2 – 1 teaspoon of sugar. “However frequent consumption of tea throughout the day can hamper the process of weight gain and weight loss, especially if taken with high-calorie snacks such as fried foods, bakery items etc. So, always have tea with low-calorie healthy snacks such as kurmura, chana, makhana etc,” reiterated Chavan.

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