There is a lot of talk about the keto diet these days, and for good reason. It is an effective way to lose weight and improve your health. But keto can also be very restrictive.
It's important to find a meal plan that works for you and is also keto-friendly. It can be hard to find food that suits your taste buds and contains fewer carbs, more protein, and more fat.
You may struggle to find the right morning beverage that is also keto friendly. It may be helpful to substitute ingredients in your recipes with keto-approved alternatives like MCT oil instead of coconut oil, almond flour instead of wheat flour, or pure stevia extract instead of sugar.
This way, you can keep your diet healthy and still eat delicious food! So is chai tea keto friendly, or do you need to switch up your favorite chai recipe? The answer is mostly yes!
What is Chai Tea?
Chai tea is a hot beverage made with a combination of black tea and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, peppercorns, fennel seeds, and nutmeg.
It's a spicy and sweet drink that is usually served over ice or with milk and honey. The drink is often served in India and other parts of Asia as a breakfast drink or as a pick-me-up in the afternoon. But how can you make keto chai?
Well, there are a few simple changes you can make to your original recipe to make it keto friendly.
Chai is traditionally made using a mix of black tea, spices, and sugar. The ingredients are simmered together in a pot on the stove until the mixture reaches a foamy consistency.
Milk is added along with sweetener, and the tea is allowed to simmer until it has reached the desired thickness. The spices and tea leaves are usually brewed in boiling water first and then steeped in milk.
This allows the maximum release of flavor from the black tea and spices. Spices can be skipped, but they really add to the flavor and aroma. In India, black tea is often sweetened with jaggery or brown sugar instead of honey or sugar.
Although chai contains sugar and tea, it is generally considered a healthy beverage. It has been associated with a reduced risk of diabetes and obesity.
It is also packed with antioxidants that promote good health and prevent disease. When made with high-quality ingredients, it can be a delicious way to start your day and boost your overall health.
Chai is also known to prevent certain forms of cancer. It can reduce inflammation in the body, improve heart health, and reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. It can also make you feel more relaxed and satisfied after a meal.
It's easy to prepare, so you can easily make it at home whenever you need a warm beverage. There are many delicious flavors to choose from, so it can be fun to try different varieties to find out what you like best.
Is Chai Tea Keto Friendly?
If you are trying to stick to a keto diet, you may be wondering if you can still enjoy your cup of chai tea. The good news is that it is keto-friendly as long as you are careful about the ingredients you use.
Here are some tips that can help you make a tasty keto chai tea that won't derail your weight loss efforts:
- Use less sugar and use a natural sweetener instead.
- Choose a plain chai tea blend that has no extra flavorings added.
- Stick to keto-approved tea ingredients.
- Avoid flavored creamers and milk alternatives.
Chai Tea: Nutritional Profile
Chai is made from a blend of herbs and spices that have been cultivated over centuries in India and other Asian countries.
The mixture typically includes ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, nutmeg, peppercorns, and vanilla. It also includes several types of black tea.
Each ingredient is rich in vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients. These include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6, vitamin K, magnesium, zinc, copper, potassium, manganese, selenium, folic acid, calcium, and iron.
All of these components are beneficial for health and well-being. They can help prevent diseases such as heart disease and cancer. They can also improve your energy levels and promote better digestion.
One cup of chai contains about 37 calories. It also has 5.9 grams of carbohydrates, 1.1 grams of protein, and 1.1 grams of fat. It contains a moderate amount of sodium (15 mg) and very low levels of cholesterol (3.5 mg).
A cup of chai tea also contains small amounts of fiber and sugar (5.3 g). It does not contain any trans fats and has 0.7 grams of saturated fats.
How to make Keto Friendly Chai Tea?
Here is a simple, keto-friendly recipe for chai tea that you can make every day at home:
Ingredients:
Organic black tea leaves (in bags or loose leaf), cinnamon, ginger root powder, cloves, coconut oil, stevia or monk fruit sweetener, almond milk, and ice cubes (optional)
Instructions:
Brew a batch of black tea using a stovetop kettle or a Keurig machine.
Add all the ingredients to a saucepan and stir thoroughly.
Heat the mixture on medium-low until the spices have infused the tea for a couple of minutes.
Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes before pouring it into mugs and serving it with ice cubes, if desired.
How to order a Keto Friendly Chai Tea Latte?
If you really like the taste of coffee but would like to try something healthier, then the Keto friendly chai tea is a perfect choice for you!
There are many keto-friendly coffee shops that offer chai tea lattes, but the best way to get the most out of your latte is to do it yourself at home!
You can follow the quick recipe above, or you can order keto-friendly chai tea from Amazon. A few products we recommend are:
Oregon Chai Sugar-Free Chai Tea Latte
Big Train Spiced Chai Tea Latte Instant Powdered Mix
You can also order a chai tea latte from Starbucks by requesting a “skinny vanilla chai” or a “skinny mocha.”
However, these options still contain sugar and artificial sweeteners, so they are not truly keto-friendly. Instead, you can also order a tall, brewed chai tea from Starbucks.
Get two pumps of sugar-free cinnamon syrup and change the standard tea bag size to however strong you want your chai to be.
You can also request a double shot of black, unsweetened coffee in your beverage. This is keto-friendly since it does not add sugar or sweeteners to the drink.
Benefits of drinking Chai Tea
Chai contains a variety of vitamins and minerals and provides numerous health benefits.
These include improved cognitive function, stronger immunity against disease, healthier bones and teeth, and better skin and muscle tone.
In addition, it may help to control blood pressure and prevent premature aging. It also promotes weight loss by keeping you full and reducing hunger cravings.
In addition, chai contains several compounds that have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are compounds that help to neutralize free radicals in your body.
Free radicals occur naturally in the body and are harmful because they can damage cells and lead to chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Regular consumption of antioxidants can help prevent these disorders.
Chai contains caffeine, making it a great morning beverage. It is rich in antimicrobial compounds that can prevent the spread of colds and other infections. It also promotes healthy digestion and helps relieve digestive problems like constipation.
Wrapping Up
Chai is one of the most popular teas in the world. It’s enjoyed by people of all ages, cultures, and religions.
So, is chai tea keto friendly? Luckily, yes! In fact, chai is a great choice for keto dieters because it’s loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that help promote a healthy metabolism.
It’s also very low in carbs and sugar – which makes it perfect for people who are following the keto diet. It contains only trace amounts of carbohydrates and is low in sugar compared to other drinks like smoothies, soda, beer, or coffee.
However, not all chai are keto friendly. Some versions of chai are made with whole milk and sugar, and contain very little actual tea. Others contain lots of artificial sweeteners and other additives that can kick you out of ketosis.
While following the keto diet, make sure you check the nutrition label before you buy anything. You should always look for products made with all-natural ingredients that are free from preservatives, artificial flavorings, and added sugars.
That way, you can be sure that what you’re drinking is safe and will not interfere with your weight-loss efforts.
As far as chai goes, the most popular brands on the market make keto-friendly versions that are loaded with vitamins and minerals and are completely free of sugar.
If you want to get creative and make a batch of your own at home, you can use the recipe above for the perfect chai tea that will rival any store-bought brand.
Click on one of the links below to learn more about keto friendly foods: