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The Ulitimate Tea Diet

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I wouldn’t feel that the series on new habits in the new year was an accurate representation of the changes that people are trying to make if it didn’t include a diet book. That said, over the last several years I have focused on health over weight loss. Fortunately, when I am making healthy food choices, my weight stays down.

I have been a lifelong tea drinker. Freshly brewed unsweetened iced tea is my beverage of choice. At times I’ve felt like I should cut back on the tea, mostly out of concern for the caffeine, about which there have been several negative reports. So I gladly read The Ultimate Tea Diet , and was happy to see that the author focuses on the benefits of a healthy diet, a lifestyle that includes exercise, and the consumption of tea–lots of tea: hot, iced, loose-leaf or in a bag. The book begins by outlining the benefits of tea. Mark “Dr. Tea” Ukra claims that tea will “help us lose weight, reduce our cravings for sweets, suppress our appetite, increase our insulin’s effectiveness, lower our cholesterol, and stimulate thermogenesis, which helps the body burn fat for energy.” These claims are not backed up with evidence, but most of us are aware of the high level of antioxidants in tea, which are touted by many as a key to good health.

Also, the use of stimulants to lose weight is also a pretty universal claim. Caffeine is a stimulant. However, what I found most interesting was the evidence another key ingredient contained in tea, L-theanine, actually counteracts the harmful effects of the caffeine in tea (which is already much lower than coffee and soda). This information is backed up bytea-diet.jpg evidence from clinical studies.

The diet itself is a basic lower fat, high fiber, lower carb type diet. The 14-day meal plan is helpful for people who like to be given specific recipes and menus to follow, but they are provided only as a guideline. If you need a pep talk about losing weight and changing other lifestyle choices as a way to take better control of your health, this book provides that for you. Throughout the book are the personal stories of people who were in the test group of the Ultimate Tea Diet.

If you are a tea-drinker, you will enjoy this book. Author Mark Ukra is the owner of the Tea Garden in California, and his family has been in the tea business for years. He explains the simple art of making a good cup of tea, and shares his knowledge of the different types of tea available. The book is also sprinkled with quotes about tea, including my very favorite by C.S. Lewis: “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.”

Reader Interactions


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483 Comments

  1. My European family seems to drink more tea than my parents up in Maine do. Am I imagining things? Love the Earth, love the internet, love big achievements, love a strong imagination. That’s a poem. Haha, it doesn’t matter what I write. Love everyone.

    Reply

  3. My fiance and I just started substituting tea for our coffee several weeks ago. We are are both trying to lose 20-30lb before our May 23 wedding. This book would be great reading!!!!

    Reply

  4. I own a tea room and we have this book available for our customers to browse through while they drink their tea. They love it! I personally learned so much from this book.
    There are even great recipes with tea as an ingredient!

    Reply

  5. I was recently told by my doctor that I had to lose 50-100 lbs because they needed to do surgery on my breasts. I was told that tea would help me shed the pounds, but I was concerned because I always thought that tea was rather disgusting. So I force down two cups every day, and the weight is starting to drop. However, I would love to find some new ways to drink/use tea in my every day diet…so I would love to get a copy of the book. Please enter me in the draw.

    Reply

  7. I need this book, I am going through memopause, love tea and love good recipes. I am hoping to drop 20 pounds in the next year and need help despartely.

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  15. I just wish I could get your graphic code to work!

    Thank you for this. I am a tea lover. No day is complete without its warm sweetness.

    Check out my blog for a really great craft giveaway! I’d love to reciprocate to you in kind.

    Reply

  30. I love tea, but I tend to choose soda when I’m rushed because its quick! This book makes me want to stop and brew some tea! What a good habit to start for the new year!

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  36. I strongly believe in the medicinal uses from tea! My father who is 78 years old drinks ALOT of iced tea everyday since he has been old enough! He has survived 4 strokes, a heart attack and 4 aneurysm within his brain that are inoperable. They told him at the age of 50 he might not live much longer!
    I would love this book for myself and to share with him!

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  37. I’ve been drinking tea since I stopped drinking milk out of the bottle. I’d like to see it help in my weight loss efforts. Hook me up.

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  40. This would be great as (like everyone else) I need to lose some weight & I’m a HUGE tea drinker.

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  73. A friend recommended chamomile tea to me to drink about an hour before bedtime; I was told that it would make me sleepy, and that there was no caffeine in it. I love the chamomile and have now branched out into other flavors which I drink during the day. However I would still like to learn more about different teas and I am sure that I would enjoy the book.

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  74. Slimming down with tea sounds like more fun than working out!!

    You have the best contests for moms!!

    Thanks.

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  75. Losing weight in 08 is a must…if this material can jump start my metabolism…count me in to win.

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  76. Hey i am a 21yo male and i work for the Dr. Tea’s! It is the best place to learn about the wounders of tea.I drink over 30 cups of green and Rooibos teas a week! This book is wounderful with the key to loose weight

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  82. This tea diet book looks like something that would certainly benefit me. I have been trying to drink more tea, eat healthier, and drop a few pounds sensibly. Thank you for this giveaway. Please enter me to win!

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  83. I love tea and am currently trying different ways of boosting my metabolism! Thanks for having a contest that is right up my alley!

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  86. Oh, I’d love to win this one! I love tea and would love to learn how it might actually do me some good to drink as much as I do! lol

    Fingers crossed!!

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  93. i just came back to work from a 3 week vacation and i put on a few pounds. i love to drink tea and would like to read this book to find out how to lose the extra weight. have a blessed day.

    Reply

  97. I love tea. This sounds great. (Of course, i’m sure not all styles of tea will be included.I refer, of course, to Southern style Sweet tea! I grew up in the South, and sweet tea could be considered a dessert!)

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  109. My company has free tea in addition to free coffee, so I would be able to implement this diet without cost. I would love to win this book for that reason.

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  111. Wow I drink tea all the time. I need to read this book to find out how to lose weight while drinking my favorite thing.

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  121. Jennifer:

    WOW! What a fabulous review!!!

    I am so pleased you took the time reach out to the Mom’s. I know how tough it is for all moms to raise and take care of a family and keep the weight off.

    The Ultimate Tea Diet is easy, and will not only bring about weight loss but a change of life as it did for me and countless others who have been on a the diet inclusive of my control group study of 18 persons who lost an average of 18 pounds and 14 inches in 8 weeks. I have included their testimonials in my book.

    To all of your readers, this book gives us all hope and the answer is right in your cupboard! If you need any teas I have created some fabulous craving teas to satisfy your sweet tooth. Candy bar black tea, peppermint patty green tea, blueberry pie white tea and many others.

    Please, email me any questions: [email protected]

    dr. tea
    http://www.ultimateteadiet.com

    Reply

  123. I had just heard about this book on a gift idea show on tv. I love tea and my daughter loves it even more!

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  129. I like tea, have a friend who has lost a lot of weight drinking a diet tea. Please enter me. Thanks!

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  138. I’ve been trying to drink more tea. Maybe reading this would help motivate me to drink more and the best kinds for me.

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  151. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. Tea is my drink and I am always looking for more ways to cook with it even. I hope I win.

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  152. I love tea, and drink a lot to take care of my cravings for sweets or a snack at night. I would love to read more suggestions for using it in a healthy diet since I have recently started my journey to lost 42 pounds.

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  166. I have to have this book! I LOVE tea of any kind..hot tea, iced tea, long island… 🙂
    dansan826 at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  167. Hmm, very interesting. My husband drinks brewed unsweetened ice tea and my daughter and I drink hot tea. I would like to read more about this.

    Reply

  175. I am absolutely intriqued with the idea behind this book and would love to read what it has to offer! Thank you for offering such an awesome book!

    Reply

  178. Wow. I’d love to know which teas to drink and when. I love tea and know that some are better than others, but don’t know much more. This would be great to read and refer back to as a reference tool.

    Reply

  191. I love all kinds of tea. I have even collected tea pots and tea cups since I was 8 years old. Many are antiques from my grandmothers home. The Tea diet is a perfect one for me.

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  199. I’m intrigued by the idea and would love to read about drinking more of my favorite beverage! Thanks for the giveaway.

    Reply

  202. As a tea lover for many years, I would find this book very interesting to read. In addition, I could use any help with dieting I can get. My problem is that I love shortbread cookies with my tea!

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  217. I added this to my blog – I have never heard of this diet but would love to read this book. Even if I don’t win I plan to buy it and read more about tea since I am such a caffeine-addict 🙂

    Reply

  226. I drink so much tea that the doctor told me on my last visit to drink one cup of tea and one cup of water as it was beginning to dehydrate me. So be sure you drink water also.

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  228. It would be interesting to read. As an avid tea drinker I know that many do have additional benefits. I drink a few cups of Oolong each day as it’s shown to help in weight loss. GLTA

    Reply

  273. This would be a great win for me. I have been trying to lose weight and am having trouble. I hope i win so i can win a new me!!!

    Reply

  277. I’ve got 4 children and not having any more, but if I don’t “suck it in” I still look pregnant. I just want clothes to fit me again!!! Tea time!

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  294. This would be perfect for my husband, who recently gave up coffee in favor of tea – in the hope of losing weight (he’s gained 40 pounds since he developed Hypo-Thyroid disease. This tea diet sound very sensible, safe and healthy.

    Reply

  300. Well from looking at Christmas pictures, I could definately lose a few more pounds. Count me in please!

    Reply

  310. Tea – hot or cold – and assistance to lose a little weight…what more could you ask for?

    I’m sipping my morning Earl Grey as I type this!

    Reply

  316. My husband drinks a 32oz cup of tea, no sweeteners, each morning along with his oatmeal. He has been doing this for around 20 years and he is healthy as an ox!!!
    He would be so thrilled to read and have ‘me’ read this terrific book for ‘me’ to finally see and believe the wonderful advantages beginning each new day with a cup of tea!!
    Thank you for sharing this book. I would benefit greatly from winning it because I turn 40 in April (my husband 50 in June!) and my goal for this year is to be as healthy as I possibly can. I need to lose a tremendous amount of weight that I have “found” over the past 4yrs and begin to “live” again! My goal is to run (9-miles use to be my long run-now I can’t run down the street!)in a marathon in Dec’08!
    I would love to be a witness for this book and it’s advantages!!! Thank you for the opportunity! 🙂

    Reply

  317. The optimal word here is diet and I sure could use one that works, anything that will help, I’ll drink gallons!

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  335. Amazing to hear how many of “our sisters” have hypothyroidism (metabolism completely shut down)!
    I too am on medicationnn for it, but this book would be wonderful! I love all kinds of tea, and would like to learn more about the “art” of it!

    Reply

  337. I drink tea for the sheer enjoyment of it, so it would be great to read about the health benefits too.

    Reply

  340. Wow, I hadn’t heard about this book. I’d love to win it as I really need to get a jump start losing weight.

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  349. I take green tea capsules every single day and drink tea when I really need to unwind. I truly believe that tea is one of the two wonder foods around today.

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  353. Tea is a reminder to me of all the things I hold most dear: family, friends, and home.

    My whole family drinks tea constantly, most especially my own mother. Every cup is either a relaxing moment alone, taking a well-deserved break from the day, or a moment spent with family after a meal shared together. The warmth of the tea just does something to settle and relax us, just like the warmth of a family’s love. In addition, I’m in my first year of college, and I live away from home. Tea continues to cement the bonds I have with my friends at school, as we just hang out watching movies and talking, mugs of tea in hand.

    And to me, there’s nothing a cup of tea can’t cure! This would be a great thing for me to share with family and friends.

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  361. I agree with C.S. Lewis: “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.”

    Tea I have; a book to go with it, I can always use.

    Reply

  363. At 5’2″ and 205 pounds, I need a kickstart on my metabolism. My doctor is going to start me on Thyroid medication on the 25th, after I get over bronchitis and sinusitis, but I think the tea information would really be helpful too.

    Reply

  364. I’ve lost weight drinking green tea before. Hmmm. Maybe that will help me melt off the first 5 of the 15 I’d like to ditch.

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  396. I’ve moved the tree back out and put the weight bench back in. I’ve jumped right back in to working out. I went down 4 sizes before the holidays, but still have 3 to go. I don’t like dieting, I just cut back. This tea just might help.
    thank you

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  400. Tea is my favorite beverage and everything you mentioned rings true. Many times when I’m craving a sugary snack, a cup of hot tea makes a satisfying substitute! By the way, Macaroni Grill makes a fresh brew blackberry mint tea that I am still trying to duplicate….it is fabulous!

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  406. I gain five pounds just looking at food, I hate exercising, and my job has me sitting in a soft chair for 8 hours making me soft. I love tea. I could drink it at work or at home. please please count me in.

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  409. I just got a kettle for Christmas, therby making my (herbal, non-caffinated) tea-drinking more efficient (and enjoyable!). Would love to check out this book. Thanks!

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  417. I was just talking with some friends who really believe in the ‘power of tea’. I would LOVE to have this book so I can read more about it.

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  422. What an interesting idea. I drink tea but probably not enough. I’d love to read this and see how to incorporate it into a healthy lifestyle.

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  438. I need to win this for me. I have problems with diabetes and I’m constantly fighting to lose weight.

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  441. I love tea. I drink it anytime of day or night throughout the entire year. White, Green, Red, Black, and Orange. Straight, fruit flavored, herb enhanced and everything I may have missed.

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  443. I am a huge tea drinker and I always have at least ten kinds on hand. I am also trying to be more health-conscious than I have been, so I would love this book.

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  461. I’m a big tea drinker.
    Hot tea in the morning, iced tea in the afternoon.
    Sweet of course. 🙂
    I’d love to win!

    Reply

  469. My midwife had me on a tea diet when I was pregnant with my second son to try and reduce my high risk for hemoraging. I would love to read this book to continue working on my lifestyle changes which include adding more tea to my diet.
    Thank you!

    Reply

  476. This looks like an interesting book. All the women in my family are tea drinkers & we would all enjoy reading it!

    Reply

  480. To me, tea is can be a wonder drug. My friend has survived insurmountable breast cancer and she drinks only a specific type of tea. Please enter me in your contest. All is appreciated…..Cindi

    Reply