Foods You Should Avoid Consuming with Tea (Chai)

Tea stalls are a mainstay of every busy corner in a residential or commercial area. Most Indians cannot go a day without 2 to 3 cups of tea. A standard cup of tea at the end of a long working day is usually accompanied with rusk, biscuits, namkeens, samosas, and pakoras. However, did you know that there are certain foods that must never be combined with your cup of tea because they can cause a myriad of digestive issues?

Let’s take a look at some foods that you should avoid while consuming tea.

Green Vegetables- You should avoid eating green or iron-rich vegetables with your cup of tea because standard black tea consists of certain tannins and oxalates that prohibit the absorption of iron in the body. Therefore, if you have an iron deficiency or are purposefully eating iron-rich foods, you should avoid consuming them with tea because you will not be able to reap its full benefits.

Besan or Gram Flour- All of us know that besan or gram flour isn’t the healthiest food option available, especially when most gram flour-related snacks are also deep-fried in oil. While consuming pakoras and samosas with your tea on occasion is alright, eating them every day can cause some serious digestive issues. For instance, besan products reduce our body’s ability to properly absorb nutrients from other sources.

Haldi/Turmeric- Turmeric is a superfood with many health benefits. Therefore, it might come as a surprise that consuming turmeric alongside tea has a harmful effect on our bodies. This is because the combination of tannins present in tea and the curcumin present in turmeric can cause gastric problems such as constipation and acidity.

Curd- Curd and other cold foods, in general, should not be combined with hot tea. This is because consuming one hot and one cold thing simultaneously can weaken the digestive process and make people nauseous. Most food experts usually recommend a 30-minute break between drinking hot tea and eating something cold.

Lemon Juice- Usually people squeeze half a lemon into their hot tea as a remedy for weight loss. However, combining lemon juice with tea can lead to acidity and bloating because both of them are acidic in nature. It is best to drink lemon juice with hot water or green tea.

Fruits- Most nutritionists recommend against consuming fruits along with your cup of tea. Not only are fruits cold, but they are also nutrient-rich. Having fruits with tea can lead to acidity and other digestive issues.

Healthy snacks that you can enjoy with your cup of tea

Makhana- Makhana is roasted and not fried. They have a high low glycemic index and are only 100 calories per 100 grams. They are a light savoury snack that pairs well with hot masala chai.

A mixture of nuts- Nuts, even on their own, are extremely nutritious. They are packed with antioxidants and are rich in fibre. They also have high amounts of unsaturated fats and help raise good cholesterol. Eating 10 to 15 nuts alongside your cup of tea will immensely benefit your health.

Roasted Green Peas- Roasted and salted green peas with hot tea are an excellent combination. Roasted green peas are crunchy, high in fibre, and even high in protein.

Pumpkin Seeds- Roasted and boiled pumpkin seeds are possibly the healthiest snacks to munch on while drinking a cup of tea. Pumpkin seeds are rich in minerals, antioxidants, fibre, and nutrients, and they are even tasty when they are coated in some salt and other spices.