Ever dipped a biscuit into your chai and thought, “Is this tasty combo good for me or secretly unhealthy?” You’re not alone! That warm, crunchy bite is a favourite for many, but it’s worth knowing what’s really in it. One biscuit might seem harmless, but it can pack nearly 90 calories- and three of them with your tea add up to about 270 calories- almost a mini-meal! Surprised?
Moreover, WHO advises limiting processed foods (like cookies, biscuits, wafers) since they’re high in calories and low in nutrients.
With biscuits being a daily staple in most Indian homes, it’s time to question: are biscuits healthy snacks or an unsuspecting health trap?
Let’s see if your chai biscuit time-out is a sugar buddy or an underhanded enemy of your health.
What Exactly is the Chai Biscuit Made Of?
Most chai biscuits are made from a mix of refined wheat flour (maida), sugar, palm oil or butter, leavening agents like baking soda, and flavour enhancers such as milk solids, salt, or vanilla.
Many of the cookies consist of the following:
- Dairy solids (sometimes) or milk powder.
- Maida (refined wheat flour)
- Shortenings or edible fats
- Sugar
- Powdered tea or tea flavouring
- Salt and leavening agents.
Since these cookies are made from sugar and refined flour, the calories in chai biscuits are high, along with moderate fat content. The tea flavour helps in adding aroma, but it does not provide much nutrition.
Pros and Cons: The Health Balance
If you want to know, is chai biscuit healthy or not, you will be surprised to learn that it has both pros and cons. Here is some brief information on the benefits and drawbacks of consuming chai biscuits.
The Pros
Below are some of the advantages of consuming these cookies:
- Shelf Life and Convenience: These cookies are easy to consume and store. Due to such reasons, they are viewed as a much better option than deep-fried food items.
- Appetite Control and Pleasure: Having a biscuit with chai will help satisfy the sweet craving. In return, it will help you avoid overeating later on.
- Instant energy: The carbohydrates in these cookies can provide quick energy. These can be considered healthy snacks if you’re lightly hungry before a meal.
- Mood uplifter: This combo can trigger dopamine release- a quick feel-good moment!
Cons
Although many people view chai biscuits as healthy snacks, these cookies also come with certain drawbacks:
- High Calorie Density: These biscuits have a high calorie density. For instance, consuming around 100 grams of these chai biscuits offers 525 kcal, with 57.6 grams of carbs and 30.8 grams of fats.
- Saturated Fat and High Fat: Most fat is added to these cookies through shortening or added fats; some might be saturated. Studies on commercial biscuits have shown that the sweet biscuits usually have much more saturated fat than other savoury ones.
- Hidden Sugars: A lot of sugar does add up. These cookies usually have numerous forms of sugar (invert sugar, glucose syrup), which increases the overall sugar load.
- Low Fibre and Refined Carbs: They don’t have much fibre compared to the snacks made from whole-grain products.
Occasionally, chai with a couple of low-fat biscuits is fine, but turning it into a daily ritual can quietly add up calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
How Chai Biscuits Measure Against Health Goals?
Let’s examine how these tea-time snacks stack up against the primary health objectives.
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Weight & Calorie Control
These biscuits are calorie-dense. If done often, eating several pieces can push you past your daily energy limit, leading to weight gain. So, next time if anyone asks you, can biscuits cause weight gain if consumed regularly, with no doubt, say yes!
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Blood Sugar
Since they are made using refined flour and added sugar, chai biscuits can cause a quick rise in blood sugar. You cannot consume them in the form of healthy evening snacks when you have diabetes or insulin resistance.
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Heart Health
Many commercial biscuits portray themselves as healthy snacks, but they contain high saturated fat (5.1 to 18.7 grams per 100 grams) and sometimes trans fat, which may raise LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Tips to Follow If You Consume Chai Biscuits
When you eat chai biscuits as healthy snacks, you should follow these benefits:
- You should limit the portion. Consume 1 or 2 pieces and not the entire packet.
- Pick brands with low sugar and fat levels, if available.
- Switch from the flour version and go for multigrain or whole wheat chai biscuits.
- Blend with fibre/protein, for instance, consume these cookies with a small amount of nuts to slow down the digestion.
- Avoid consuming biscuits too frequently. You should reserve them for occasional treats only.
- Also, try to avoid sugar in your tea if you are eating cookies or biscuits along with it.
Conclusion
Chai biscuits can become a part of your day, but if you treat them as a treat and not as healthy snacks. They can provide instant energy and enjoyment, but the fats, sugar, and refined flour can lead to certain risks if they’re overconsumed. Mixing them with nutrient-rich and wholesome snacks can keep your health in great condition.
The key lies in mindful moderation- switch to whole-grain, low-sugar biscuits or pair your chai with nuts, fruits, or roasted snacks for a healthier twist.
Because a cup of chai should lift your mood, not your calorie count.
