We all love bubble tea right? Those sweet delicious drinks with the pearls that are so chewy. You just can’t resist biting into them.
The tapioca pearls are like tiny little stress balls for your mouth. And the tea doesn’t just taste like your regular teh ‘C’ – it’s like Heaven in a Cup.
[instagram handle: @moodoodles]
The sad truth that we all must come to terms with is that bubble tea is bad for you. As in really, really bad.
But honestly, it was when I started feeling sluggish and tired all the time, that I figured enough was enough.
So I decided to quit bubble tea. The withdrawal was worse than when Game of Thrones ended, but looking back on it now, I feel like I’ve achieved a milestone.
Here are the top 4 reasons I don’t drink bubble tea anymore:
1. It’s Full Of Sugar
You knew this was on the list the moment you clicked on the link to this article. It’s no secret that bubble tea is basically 1500% sugar.
Sugar. That single weakness that every Malaysian shares. If you are truly Malaysian, your bloodstream is not filled with blood, it’s filled with Teh Tarik and Sirap Bandung.
Bubble tea is full of sugar. You’ve seen the scare-articles. I’m sure you’ve also heard about how tapioca balls causes cancer (I’ll save you a click – it’s actually the preservatives).
Not convinced? Here’s a comparison chart of the sugar levels in each popular type of boba:
[image source: channelnewsasia.com]
2. It’s Pretty Expensive
Sure, it’s no Mocha Frappe with extra whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles, but bubble tea still makes my wallet cry everytime.
Can you imagine how much you save if you didn’t drink bubble tea?
Let’s do the math:
One bubble tea drink: RM7.50
Number of times I would drink bubble tea in a week: 1-3 times.
Number of times I would drink bubble tea in a month: Around 9 times.
Number of times I would drink bubble tea in a year: 108 times.
How much I would spend on bubble tea if I drank it for a year straight: RM 7.50 x 108 bubble teas = RM810.
In one year, I’d save up enough to buy a new phone.
And that’s just for casual bubble tea addicts. Imagine if you drank 4-6 bubble teas a week?
In one year, you’d save RM1620. It all adds up!
I know, I probably sound like that millionaire who told all those millennials to stop eating avocado toast if they want to buy a house.
But while I don’t think I’ll be affording a place in Kuala Lumpur any time soon, I know I’d rather put that money aside for a rainy day. You never know when your car will break down next.
3. It’s Making Me Fat
To be honest, the biggest reason I’ve quit bubble tea for good is my ever-expanding waistline.
I used to be a skinny kid. This is me at 18:
Now I have a dad bod and I’m not even a dad! Some of my friends have beer guts; I have a boba gut.
So after feeling sorry for myself for a bit, I decided to do something about it.
I cut down, not just on boba tea, but on my overall sugar intake, and immediately felt an improvement in my mood and energy levels.
Instead of feeling that post-lunch food coma, I’m now more alert at work.
Apparently, according to this study, too much sugar in your diet makes you feel less energetic, not more. That’s because sugar makes us tired, while protein makes us more alert.
Huh. The more you know.
4. It’s no longer a guilty pleasure
[image source: japantimes.co.jp]
I relished the thrill of guilty pleasure when I popped the plastic cover with the comically large straw, took my first sip of the Nectar Of The Gods, and injected my bloodstream with pure distilled happiness.
But after I started ordering bubble tea after every lunch break, funnily enough, I stopped enjoying it as much.
It no longer felt like a rare treat, but a day-to-day routine. Like sucking up the last pearl in the cup, I’d sucked the joy out of bubble tea.
So, after much anguish and gnashing of teeth, I finally broke off my love affair with bubble tea.
At first, it was hard. I had sugar cravings and I got really irritated at small things that never used to bother me before.
Realising this was a game-changer for me. I saw for the first time how I’d been so used to certain luxuries that I couldn’t even handle my stress without thinking of ways to alleviate it with a bit of sugar.
But I got over it, and I feel a lot better, mentally, physically, and even spiritually.
Having cast aside all earthly boba tea desires, I have achieved my personal Nirvana.
I have found my inner peace.
…Until the next bubble tea craze.
For more articles on Malaysians’ love affair with sugar, read I Skipped Sugary Drinks For One Week, And Guess What Happened? and Getting Through The Day: What It’s Like Living With Diabetes.
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