India, Aug. 17 -- For most Indian households, tea isn't just a beverage; it's a ritual. Be it a morning bed tea, an afternoon pick-me-up, or that comforting evening cup, chai punctuates the day like clockwork. But alongside the comfort, there's a quiet culprit: sugar. Stirred generously into each cup, it seems harmless, yet it adds up faster than you think. Nutritionist Juhi Arora recently broke it down in an Instagram post, revealing how your daily sugar habit in tea could be silently stacking empty calories. "Ek teaspoon sugar ke andar hota hai 16 plus empty calorie aur agar aap do se teen teaspoon sugar lete ho, that means aapki body thousand plus empty calories leti hai in a month," she explained. In simple terms, just two to three teaspoons a day translates to more than 1,000 extra calories every month without a single nutrient to show for it. That number may not shock in the moment, but over time, the build-up could mean weight gain, sugar spikes and the health concerns that follow. After all, tea isn't a once-a-day indulgence. When multiple cups multiply across the day, so does your intake. So, how do you keep your chai indulgent without the guilt? Arora recommends smart swaps that sweeten while adding value. The first is jaggery, naturally rich in iron, with a pleasant sweetness, and far more nourishing than refined sugar. The second suggestion is cinnamon powder, a naturally sweet spice that not only enhances flavour but also helps control blood sugar. Both options lower the glycemic index of your tea (the measure of how quickly food raises blood sugar), making it a healthier sip....