Cup of tea in the morning alternative

[mumofatoddlerhelp]

Every morning the first thing I consume (after a glass of water) is a cup of tea but I have A LOT of sugar in it. I've just had a telling off from the dentist about my sugar intake and I need to cut back a lot. I do have a massive sweet tooth. Should I stop having my tea in the morning or continue as a little sugary treat? If I should go cold turkey, any alternative?

Could you use a sweetener? I'm sure my dentist said stevia or similar is a type of sweetener is a type that's a good substitute as it doesn't feed the acid attack!

Brush your teeth right after your tea?

Or have the tea but wean yourself off the sugar.

Can you gradually reduce the sugar in your tea over a period of 2 or 3 months? Just a bit less each week and see if you can get down to none.

@NuffSaidSam I'm sorry but that's not good advice - you're meant to wait at least half an hour otherwise you're brushing the sugar into your teeth essentially which does damage.

Just gradually put less sugar in your tea.
Maybe reduce the amount by half a teaspoon each month.
I used to have sugar in my tea, but don't have any in it now. I prefer the taste without sugar now.

Use sweetener. I think they are an acquired taste if you don't like them at first persevere and you'll probs start to like it.

How about the toast and jam flavour tea if you're not into sweeter?

I weaned my husband off sugary tea within a few weeks. Now he says that sugary tea is repulsive and drink gallons of non-sugar tea every day, despite still liking other sweet stuff. It can be done!

You are addicted. Sugar is like a drug. For really good evolutionary reasons. You need to either wean off gradually or go cold turkey. I favour the latter as it's painful but quick. After a week the cravings will subside.

How much sugar?

It can be done, as PPs said. I used to drink my tea with two sugars in it but gradually weaned myself off. I went to 1.5tsps, then after a few weeks to 1tsp, then half etc.

Now I have no sugar in my tea and genuinely love it and I'd have never thought I'd be saying that!

Try coffee. It's easier without sugar in my view

Canderel sugarly is a pretty convincing sweetener!

I drink breakfast tea with one sugar out herbal lemon and ginger - no sugar. I cannot, however, enjoy breakfast tea with acting kids than one sugar 😂 maybe try some herbal alternatives? Someone's I just drink hot water, it's so much nicer than unsweetened tea!

Really? It was years after I drank tea sugarless that I managed to do the same for coffee.

I weaned myself off sugar in tea - I drink tea black - and it can easily been done.

it takes a while, depending how much sugar you take but reduce it bit by bit.

I personally hate artifical sweetner in tea, so never went that route.

Artificial sweetener is disgusting especially in team IMO.

The best approach here as others have said is to gradually reduce the amount of sugar you're using. You will adapt quickly. And believe it or not, you will reach a stage where you no longer need or want any sugar at all.

Separately, are there other major sources of sugar in your diet?

Have you tried chai tea ?(teabags not the chai latte powder) I can't enjoy regular tea without sugar, but chai is fine with no sugar just milk for me.

Just don't put sugar in your tea.

There are some lovely teas with fruity/berry flavour, if you need some sweetness.

Then again, you write: "I do have a massive sweet tooth".

Is the sugar in the tea your biggest problem? Perhaps there's other sugary stuff you eat or drink during the day that could be worse.
Only you can know this.

Good Luck!

Use erythritol instead, tastes like sugar, is natural and not bad for you like artificial sugars.

You can change your tastes by reducing over time as pp said. It's not easy but you can do it. I use sweeteners but also worry a bit about long term side effects health-wise. I think it's better to make your taste buds adapt.

Get really good loose leaf tea that would be spoilt by adding sugar.

Sweeteners. Try a few, you’ll prefer some over others, I like the Silver Spoon ones best.

I second gradually reducing the sugar. How much do you have in your tea? I used to have 2 teaspoons and have cut that down by using a smaller spoon, the type used with espresso cups.

I started off by having a less heaped teaspoon, level teaspoon then onto the smaller spoon.