Indulging in a steaming cup of tea, commonly known in India as chai, holds more than just a comforting flavour. Loved for its rich taste and rejuvenating effects, c good cup of masala tea bursts with aromatic spices such as ginger and cardamom and is low-calorie provided you don’t add too much sugar or full cream milk. But when it comes to weight loss, people try to limit or stop tea consumption. Recently, a nutritionist revealed that for weight loss, you don’t need to skip tea but instead just make some changes.
In a recent Instagram post, nutritionist Leema Mahajan shared why tea can make people fat, and also recommended a few tips on how to drink tea for weight loss.
Is your regular tea making you fat?
Since tea is a low-calorie beverage, it does not cause weight gain directly. However, certain factors related to tea consumption or the ingredients added to tea may contribute to weight gain in some cases. Here are 3 reasons why tea maybe making you gain weight:
1. Full cream milk
Firstly, adding full cream milk to tea increases its calorie content. Milk contains fat, and this is linked to weight gain when consumed in excess. Leema Mahajan shares, “One cup of tea has 33-66 calories, depending on the fat percentage of the milk. To reduce your daily calorie intake in tea, you can use skimmed milk instead of full cream.”
2. Added sugar
“There are only 19 calories of sugar in 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon has 48 calories. While 20 calories per cup will not make much of a difference but if you are someone who has many cups of tea with sugar throughout the day, keep in mind that this can lead to weight gain,” shares the nutritionist..
3. Unhealthy snacks
If tea is accompanied by unhealthy snacking, such as high-calorie rusks, biscuits and namkeen, it can contribute to weight gain. Replace them with a healthy breakfast.
How to drink tea for weight loss?
Here are 7 tips on how to drink tea to lose weight effectively:
1. Limit your tea consumption to 2 cups a day
When it comes to weight loss, moderation is key. Excessive tea consumption may lead to an intake of excessive caffeine and other compounds that can have adverse effects. Leema Mahajan says, “Limiting your tea intake to two cups per day strikes a balance, allowing you to enjoy the benefits without overdoing it.”
2. Maintain a gap between tea and mealtime
Drinking tea immediately before or after a meal may interfere with proper digestion and nutrient absorption. To optimize your weight loss efforts, it is recommended to maintain a gap of at least 30 minutes between consuming tea and your meals. This practice allows your body to absorb the nutrients from your food effectively.
3. Avoid tea close to bedtime
Tea can interfere with sleep patterns and digestion if consumed too close to bedtime. Adequate sleep is essential for weight management as it helps regulate hormones and promotes overall well-being. To ensure a good night’s rest, avoid drinking tea within a few hours of your bedtime.
Check out her Instagram post here:
4. Do not drink tea on an empty stomach
Drinking tea on an empty stomach can increase the acidity in your digestive system, potentially leading to digestive discomfort. It is advisable to consume tea after having a light meal or healthy snack to prevent any adverse effects on your stomach.
5. Drink water 30 minutes before and after tea
Hydration is vital for overall health and weight management. “To reduce the side effects of tea, drink a glass of water approximately 30 minutes before and after consuming it,” suggests Leema Mahajan. This practice helps to maintain proper hydration levels and aids in digestion.
6. Use skimmed milk only in tea
If you prefer to add milk to your tea, opt for skimmed milk or low-fat alternatives. These options are lower in calories and fat compared to whole milk or cream. By making this simple switch, you can significantly reduce your overall calorie intake while still enjoying the creamy texture of your tea.
7. Add less sugar
Sugar is a common ingredient added to tea, but it can significantly contribute to weight gain and negatively impact your health. To promote weight loss, gradually reduce the amount of sugar you add to your tea until you can enjoy it without any sweeteners. Alternatively, you can use natural sweeteners such as honey or desi khand in moderation.
So ladies, make your cup of tea a healthy beverage to help you lose weight by keeping these tips in mind!
