5 Korean Eating Habits to Stay Fit, Have Great Skin and Age Less
Korean women are known for their beauty, and from Korean skincare we have also learned a lot. But they are also famous for always being fit. According to OECD data, the obese population in South Korea is only 5 percent, compared with, for example, 40 percent of people in the United States of America. Much is owed to the culture of Asian countries, which starts first and foremost at the dinner table. In fact, Korean women follow some very good eating habits that enable them to stay in shape while also benefiting their skin from within. These are principles rooted in Korean culture that we can borrow as well, supporting the well-being of our bodies. Here are 5 eating habits of Korean women that help keep them fit.
#1 - They eat fermented foods such as kimchi
Fermented foods are the staple of the Asian diet. In particular, kimchi, fermented cabbage with spices, is popular in Korea. It is a food rich in probiotics, fiber and vitamins, which is good for gut health and improves digestion, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, plus improves fat metabolism, supporting weight control. Not surprisingly, kimchi is among the world's healthiest foods.
#2 - Drink barley tea
Barley tea cannot be missing from the diet of Korean women. It is roasted barley tea, usually drunk hot, which is called Boricha in Korea. It has a mild taste reminiscent of nuts and hazelnuts. The benefits of Korean barley tea are many: it has a satiating effect, regulates blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, and improves weight loss. Korean women drink it throughout the day, often even in place of water.
#3 - They drink fermented rice water
Another traditional Korean drink is fermented rice water. In the West we are mostly familiar with the use of rice water on the hair or face, but it is actually also a drink with many beneficial properties. It is called Sikhye and is consumed in summer to cool off, although it was once intended only for special occasions. Today in Korea it is easily found commercially ready-made (and also by us in specialty stores) and is drunk year-round. Or you can prepare it at home by boiling and fermenting powdered barley malt and rice. A rice cooker is very useful for cooking it, but you can also do it with a pot. The benefits of drinking fermented rice water range from weight control due to its satiating power to improving digestion and gut health.
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
#4 - Eat slowly and with chopsticks
In addition to the habit of eating small portions and interrupting the meal when one is not completely full - like the Japanese tradition of Hara Hachi Bu - Korean women follow two other rules typical of their country that help promote greater satiety: they eat slowly and do so with chopsticks. This method slows down the pace at which they eat, promoting slower digestion and greater satiety.
#5 - They choose light sources of protein
The Korean diet is rich in fish, tofu, eggs and legumes. By eating little red meat, they take in lighter protein sources and less fat and calories. Lean protein promotes satiety, supports metabolism and the maintenance of muscle mass.
Article originally published on Vogue Italia.
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