The 'empty calorie' trap: why biscuits aren't a breakfast substitute

For many of us, the day hasn't truly begun until we’ve dipped a biscuit into a steaming cup of builders' tea. It’s a comforting, time-honoured ritual, yet Dr Manan Vora, a Mumbai-based surgeon and health educator, warns that this first-thing habit might be a recipe for a "gut health disaster."

In a video shared on Saturday, the expert explained that consuming this classic duo on an empty stomach can wreak havoc on your digestive system and energy levels.

The problem lies in how tea and biscuits interact with an acidic morning stomach. Tea contains caffeine and tannins which, without food to buffer them, can irritate the stomach lining.

Dr Vora explains, “Tea contains caffeine and tannins, which irritate the stomach lining, increase acid production, and can trigger acidity, nausea, bloating, or a heavy feeling.” Pairing this with a biscuit only compounds the issue. Most biscuits are "empty calories" packed with refined flour and sugar.

According to the surgeon: “This combination causes your blood sugar levels to spike and then crash, leading to low energy and high cravings.”

You don't have to bin the kettle just yet, though. Dr Vora suggests that "timing and combination matter" more than total avoidance.

He recommends having your cuppa after a light, balanced breakfast and swapping sugary biscuits for snacks rich in protein or fibre.

Making these small adjustments ensures your morning ritual supports your wellbeing rather than burdening your gut. A little mindful change can keep the comfort of tea without the mid-morning slump.