Is Chai With Biscuits Bad For Your Health? 5 Healthy Tea-Time Snacks You’ll Love

For many Indians, chai is an integral part of daily life, enjoyed at morning, noon and night. However, this comforting ritual often comes with a calorie-laden price, courtesy of the snacks paired with it. Biscuits, in particular, have become an indispensable accompaniment to tea in Indian culture. From glucose biscuits to jeera biscuits, the options are endless as all are easy to overindulge in. But have you ever stopped to think about the health implications of your daily chai-biscuit ritual?

While this comforting combination may seem harmless, regular consumption can have a significant impact on your overall health. Here's all you need to know about the potential side-effects of this popular pairing.

Is Chai-Biscuit Really Bad For Your Health?

High Sugar-Content

Biscuits, rich in refined sugar cause a spike in blood sugar levels when consumed with tea. This leads to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, weight gain and energy crashes. The subsequent crash leaves you feeling tired, craving more sugar and stuck in a vicious cycle.

Empty Calories

Biscuits are 'empty calories' devoid of vitamins, minerals and fibre, leading to weight gain without nutritional benefits. Regularly consuming biscuits with tea encourages overeating as they fail to satisfy hunger. This habit can result in inappropriate weight gain and related health issues over time.

Trans Fats

Store-bought biscuits often contain trans fats and hydrogenated oils, posing a significant threat to heart health. These unhealthy fats have a devastating impact on cardiovascular health, elevating LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while simultaneously decreasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

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Digestive Problems

Tea's tannins increase stomach acidity which can worsen digestive issues like acid reflux, bloating and indigestion when paired with sugary, refined biscuits. This combo can lead to stomach acid imbalances, making digestion more difficult and causing discomfort, aches and pains in the digestive system.

Mindless Snacking

The pairing of tea and biscuits can trigger mindless munching. As a result, people tend to grab biscuits without tracking their intake, leading to overconsumption. Since biscuits lack satiety, this can result in excessive calorie, sugar and unhealthy fat intake.

Is your chai and bisucit habit harming your health? (Image Credits: Canva)

Poor Oral Health

Biscuits' sticky nature and sugar content combined with sugary tea, create a perfect storm for tooth decay and dental issues. Together, they trigger a chain reaction of decay, resulting in the formation of plaque, cavities and gum disease.

Healthy Tea-Time Snacks

Makhana

Makhana or fox nuts are a nutritious and crunchy snack perfect for tea time. It helps to regulate cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

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Roasted Chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas are a satisfying and healthy snack that pairs perfectly with tea.

Poha

Poha or flattened rice, is a wholesome snack that's easy to digest. Rich in iron, fibre and carbohydrates, poha can help lower cholesterol and support healthy blood sugar levels.

Murmura

Murmura or puffed rice, low in calories and high in fibre is another healthy choice Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, murmura can help support healthy digestion and blood sugar levels.

Dhokla

Dhokla, a beloved Indian snack is crafted from fermented rice and lentils, offers a potent blend of protein, fibre and vitamins that promote healthy digestion and weight balance.

Disclaimer: This content, including suggestions and advice, provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information before making any drastic changes in your lifestyle.