‘13kg Weight Loss’ Lee Young-ji Confesses “Gained 11kg Back”... The Cause of Yo-Yo Effect is ‘This’?

Singer Lee Young-ji confessed to her weight changes.

Lee Young-ji recently posted on her SNS, "Every time I update my profile, articles say I lost 13kg, and I was going to pretend I didn’t see it, but I feel a bit sorry, so I’ll say it. I’ve regained about 11kg from the 13kg I lost," she honestly revealed.

Previously, Lee Young-ji's agency Mainstream Winter released her new profile picture. In the photo, Lee Young-ji showcased a striking fashion that revealed her slim shoulder line and leg beauty, which became a hot topic.

“I blend cabbage, tomato, and banana and drink it whenever I’m hungry”

On the YouTube channel ‘Vogue Korea’, Lee Young-ji, who said she lost 13kg, revealed her secret, explaining, “I stopped ordering delivery food and blended cabbage, tomato, and banana to drink whenever I was hungry while dieting.”

Making smoothies with vegetables and fruits like Lee Young-ji and drinking them often is a good way to curb hunger while dieting. Especially, cabbage, tomato, and banana are foods that have a large volume relative to their calories and are rich in water and dietary fiber, quickly creating a feeling of fullness.

Therefore, if used intermittently to curb hunger between snacks or meals, it can play a positive role in preventing overeating. However, there are limitations and risks as a long-term dieting method.

If consumed as a meal replacement, it can lead to protein deficiency and muscle loss

If you only drink smoothies as a meal replacement whenever you’re hungry, you may lack protein and fat intake, and even if you lose weight, there is a high possibility that the muscles needed to maintain your basal metabolic rate will be quickly consumed. This can lead to the yo-yo phenomenon where weight quickly increases when returning to regular meals after weight loss, as the body changes its metabolic structure to store more fat when it judges that energy is lacking.

To prevent this, it is advisable to add protein elements to the smoothies. Adding unsweetened Greek yogurt, protein powder, tofu, or beans can increase satiety and help maintain muscle mass. Especially, regularly consuming a balanced low-calorie diet while having smoothies as snacks is the desirable form of meals.