Breaking Free from My Childhood Tea Habit: A Personal Journey

Growing up in an Indian Muslim family, there were certain traditions that were woven into the fabric of my everyday life. One of those traditions was the comforting, warm embrace of Indian milk tea. From a young age, my family made tea a ritual—a drink that brought us together in the mornings, in the afternoons, and as the day wound down. We gathered around, sipping our tea, sharing stories, and simply enjoying each other’s company. Tea wasn’t just a beverage; it was a symbol of comfort, of connection, and of warmth.

But as I got older, I began to notice something that wasn’t so comforting—this childhood habit of drinking tea had become a challenge in my journey toward better health. It wasn’t just the caffeine or the routine; it was the sugar and milk. Those added calories began to take their toll, and slowly, I found myself struggling with weight loss despite my best efforts.

The Unlikely Hero: Indian Tea

In India, tea is more than just a drink—it’s an institution. The rich aroma of masala chai, brewing in every home, street corner, and office, is something that binds us together as a nation. Tea became a part of my identity, and I’m sure for many of you, it’s a daily tradition you can’t imagine living without. Tea in India isn’t just served in fancy mugs; it’s served in small cups, in stainless-steel glasses, or even in earthen pots—wherever you are, there’s a warm cup of chai waiting for you.

This humble drink entered every Indian home, including mine. My family introduced me to tea when I was a child, and from there, it became my companion through the years. My mornings started with tea, afternoons were incomplete without it, and evenings, especially, felt like a gathering to share cups of tea with my loved ones.

But as I moved into adulthood, something changed. I wanted to focus more on my health, my fitness, and my weight loss journey. Yet, the habit of drinking milk tea with sugar every single day started to weigh me down—literally.

The Struggle to Let Go

For someone who’s been drinking tea for as long as I can remember, it felt almost impossible to imagine life without it. Tea wasn’t just a drink; it was comfort. It was tradition. And yet, I knew that my love for it was standing in the way of my weight loss goals.

The problem wasn’t the tea itself, but the sugar, milk, and the habit of drinking it multiple times a day. I found myself drinking tea out of routine—without even thinking about the impact it was having on my health. The sugar in each cup added empty calories, and the milk made it a creamy, comforting indulgence that I couldn’t seem to break free from.

So, I decided to take a hard look at this habit. I knew I had to make a change, but it was easier said than done. After all, I had been drinking tea this way for most of my life. How could I possibly give it up?

The Journey to Change

Breaking free from a habit like this isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible. It started with awareness. I had to admit to myself that tea—especially the way I drank it—was hindering my progress. But that’s the first step, right? Acknowledging that a change is necessary.

So, I started by reducing the amount of sugar in my tea. It wasn’t easy at first, and I found it hard to enjoy the taste without the sweetness I was used to. But with each cup, I reduced it just a little bit more until I was drinking tea with minimal sugar, sometimes even none at all. It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress.

The next step was cutting back on the milk. I began drinking tea with less milk, then eventually switched to drinking it black or with just a splash of milk. I wasn’t ready to completely give up tea—I wasn’t sure I ever could—but I knew I had to find a healthier way to drink it.

To be honest, this was a slow process. But gradually, I noticed some positive changes. I was losing weight, feeling less sluggish, and more in control of my choices. Slowly, I was replacing my regular tea with herbal teas and even green tea, which still gave me the warmth I craved but without the added calories. I learned to appreciate the subtle flavors of ginger, peppermint, and chamomile, which felt refreshing and soothing in their own way.

Finding Balance

As the weeks went by, I started to feel a shift—not just physically, but emotionally, too. I wasn’t giving up tea, but I was redefining my relationship with it. Tea had always been a part of my life, and I didn’t want to lose that connection. But I realized that I could still enjoy tea without letting it control me.

I also started to embrace healthier alternatives. I replaced my daily tea with lemon-infused water or homemade iced teas. These drinks were light, refreshing, and didn’t derail my progress. Eventually, I began to reduce my tea consumption even further, drinking it only occasionally, and when I did, it was a mindful choice rather than an automatic one.

The Power of Support

I was also lucky to have the support of my family. They understood my desire to make healthier choices, and together, we explored ways to adapt our tea-time traditions. We swapped our regular sugar-laden tea for healthier versions, and instead of several cups a day, we started enjoying tea together in a more balanced way.

A Healthier Me, One Sip at a Time

Today, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I haven’t completely given up on tea, but I’ve learned to enjoy it in moderation. My health journey isn’t about perfection; it’s about finding balance. And, more importantly, it’s about honoring the traditions that matter to me while making choices that support my goals.

If you’re struggling with a similar habit, I want to share this with you: breaking a long-held tradition is tough, but it’s possible. Start small. Reduce the sugar, switch to healthier alternatives, and be kind to yourself. You don’t have to give up the things you love, but you do have to find a way to make them work for your health.

For me, this journey has been about reclaiming my health and redefining what tea means to me. It’s no longer just about drinking it out of habit or tradition. It’s about enjoying it on my own terms—mindfully, healthily, and with a deeper appreciation for every sip.

Farin Khatoon