Actress Han Chae-a (43) continued her exercise even while traveling.
Recently, Han Chae-a posted a video on her YouTube channel of her trip to a ski resort with her daughter.
In the video, after taking care of the kids, Han Chae-a had cup noodles for a late lunch. She said, "I usually don’t eat ramen much," adding, "Why is it so hard to resist ramen when traveling? I compromise with myself under the excuse of 'it's a trip.' Just this once. Let’s eat and then exercise."
That day, after skiing at night, Han Chae-a went to the gym in her accommodation early the next morning and got on the treadmill. She stated, "The gym is something I always check before going on a trip. Running outside is better, but when that’s not possible, there’s no place better than here," and she ran diligently.
Having married Cha Se-jji, the son of Cha Bum-kun, in 2018 and having a daughter, Han Chae-a maintains a solid and slim figure at 165cm tall and weighing 46-47kg. She manages her weight by eating good food and supplements, checking her weight morning and night, and said, "I’m healthier now managing my weight than when I was younger."
However, Han Chae-a avoids ramen. Let’s take a look at why it’s not good for dieting.
More Delicious Cup Noodles at the Ski Resort... The Enemy of Dieting?
Like Han Chae-a, a warm cup of noodles at a winter ski resort is a treat. However, ramen can cause a spike in blood sugar and nutritional imbalance during dieting, promoting fat accumulation. It’s okay to eat occasionally like actress Han Chae-a, but frequent consumption can lead to a short feeling of fullness, resulting in overeating.
A single cup noodle, which is more convenient than bagged ramen, averages 400-500kcal, which is high in calories, and the ratio of carbohydrates and saturated fats is excessive, causing a rapid increase in blood sugar and stimulating insulin secretion. The sodium content also exceeds the daily recommended amount (2000mg), leading to temporary weight gain due to water retention, and the lack of fiber and protein causes the feeling of fullness to disappear quickly. This promotes fat storage rather than muscle maintenance and harms metabolic health in the long run.
It’s best to avoid it during dieting, but if you do eat it occasionally, reduce the sodium by using only half the soup and add eggs, tofu, vegetables, and mushrooms to boost protein and fiber. Eating during the day and exercising right after can help stabilize blood sugar. Limit it to about once a week, drink more than 2L of water, and include potassium-rich foods like bananas and potatoes to prevent swelling.
One Bowl of Cup Noodles, How to Burn Calories Through Exercise
If you enjoyed a delicious cup of noodles after a long time, wait about 30 minutes after eating and then do moderate-intensity aerobic exercise to burn calories. To burn 400-500kcal from cup noodles, running for 1 hour or brisk walking for 2 hours is effective for someone weighing 60kg. Running at a speed of about 8km/h, which allows for conversation, can burn 500-600kcal in an hour, offsetting most of the calories from the noodles. It’s also fine to substitute with a treadmill at the gym.
Additionally, doing strength exercises like jumping rope, planks, and squats for 20-30 minutes can burn over 300kcal and reduce post-meal digestive burden. Biking or climbing stairs for 30-60 minutes can burn 300-500kcal and is easier on the joints. The next day, exercising on an empty stomach can maximize fat burning.
