tea for weight managementJanuary 22nd, 2009No Comments »
while there are some crazy health claims out there with regard to tea, we find it to be a healthy and enjoyable alternative to many other beverages out there. as the new york times recently noted, more and more people are finding health (and weight management success) by focusing not on eating less of “bad” foods and drinks, but eating and drinking more healthy ones. studies show that when you focus on the positive (”i’m going to eat more of this yummy fresh fruit”) than the negative (”i shouldn’t eat that bad-for-me ice cream”), you’re more likely to enjoy what you’re eating (even if it isn’t your favorite junk food) and stick to a healthy lifestyle.
we think of this approach as being tied in to the slow food lifestyle — taking the time and focus to enjoy your meals and those you share them with. it only makes sense that the slow food movement recently adopted tea as an important part of their philosophy, despite their usual focus on local foods. so, if you’re making the switch from coffee, sodas or sugary drinks (or trying to replace sugary snacks) this year, it’s important to find healthy alternatives (like tea) that you truly enjoy. once you’ve found them, it’s also important to actually enjoy them! sip instead of chug. be in the moment. it’s all about the zen tea mindset.
sounds great, but how do you start? we suggest thinking about the attributes that you enjoy in foods and drinks and tasting similar teas. for example:
if you love the chocolaty flavor of a mocha latte, try chocolate & strawberries black tea or chocolate spice rooibos.
if you prefer the caffeine boost in colas, try yerba maté. if it’s the bold flavor you prefer, try a hearty masala chai or assam black tea.
if you lean toward citrusy drinks, check out one of our citrusy blends like radiance, nirvana, blood orange or (our favorite) unity.
if you’re trying to replace sugary snacks with tea, our most popular options are almond cookies, vanilla cream and white pearl, but there are lots of others to choose from. (see our post “sweet like candy” for more sweet tips.)
focus on the unique flavor of each tea you try. what do you like about it? perhaps the complexity or the clean flavor? what does it remind you of? it can be a food, a smell or even a time and place. really focus on the sensations the tea or tisane provides: the aroma, the color, the flavor, the warmth and the calm focus. and then? repeat. in no time, you’ll find that you’re craving your next cup of tea instead of your next unhealthy snack or drink.
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