How Your Tea and Biscuit Habit May Be Harming Your Health and Smarter Alternatives

Tea and biscuits may seem like a comforting and enjoyable combination, but indulging in this habit regularly, especially morning and evening, can have some negative impacts on your health. Here’s how:

1. High Sugar Content in Biscuits

• Most biscuits are loaded with refined sugar, which can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels, followed by a crash, leaving you feeling tired and hungry again.
• Regular consumption of sugary biscuits increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

2. Refined Flour in Biscuits

• Biscuits are usually made from refined flour (maida), which lacks fiber and essential nutrients.
• This can cause digestive issues and contribute to weight gain as it provides empty calories.

3. Unhealthy Fats

• Many biscuits contain trans fats or hydrogenated oils, which are harmful to your heart health and can increase cholesterol levels.

4. Acidity and Digestion Issues from Tea

• Drinking tea on an empty stomach, or too frequently, can cause acidity, bloating, and indigestion due to its caffeine content.
• Combining tea with biscuits can further slow down digestion, as they are heavy to break down.

5. Addiction to Sugar and Caffeine

• Tea and biscuits together create a cycle of sugar and caffeine dependency, where you crave them regularly, increasing the risk of overconsumption.

6. Displacement of Nutritious Foods

• Relying on tea and biscuits as your go-to snack means you’re missing out on healthier alternatives like fruits, nuts, or protein-rich snacks, which could provide essential nutrients.

7. Impact on Oral Health

• The sugar in biscuits, when consumed frequently, can lead to tooth decay and other oral health issues.

How to Make This Habit Healthier

If you enjoy your tea-time ritual, here are some healthier adjustments:

1. Switch to Whole-Grain or Low-Sugar Biscuits: Opt for biscuits made with whole grains and minimal sugar.
2. Pair Tea with Nuts or Fruits: Replace biscuits with healthier options like almonds, walnuts, or fresh fruits.
3. Add Jaggery Instead of Sugar to Tea: Since you’re considering including jaggery in your diet, this could be a healthier sweetener option.
4. Choose Herbal or Green Tea: These are lighter on digestion and provide antioxidants without caffeine overload.
5. Limit Quantity: Keep your biscuit intake occasional or reduce the portion size.

Would you like tips for some healthy tea-time recipes?