'Davichi' Singer Kang Min-kyung's Diet Plan: Benefits and Precautions of Konjac Rice

Singer Kang Min-kyung is gaining attention for her diet that allows her to enjoy delicious food without starving.

Kang Min-kyung recently showcased her cooking on her YouTube channel, making and eating 'Perilla Oil Pork Belly Kimchi Stew'. She praised it, saying, "It's really easy to make and so delicious."

In fact, kimchi stew can be high in salt, which can negatively affect weight management. However, Kang Min-kyung, who has been practicing one meal a day for a long time for management, shows that she eats 'properly' for at least one meal. Pork can supplement the protein that tends to be lacking during a diet.

Kang Min-kyung also ate 'konjac rice' with it. Let's take a look at the nutritional value and precautions of the perilla oil pork belly kimchi stew and konjac rice that Kang Min-kyung chose for her meal.

Pork Belly Kimchi Stew Rich in Protein, Watch Out for Salt

Pork belly is rich in protein and vitamin B1. This means it can provide both protein and energy. Kimchi, a fermented food, is rich in dietary fiber and probiotics. Perilla oil, which is good to sprinkle at the end of cooking, is rich in a plant-based omega-3 called 'alpha-linolenic acid'. The unsaturated fats in perilla oil can positively affect vascular health.

However, pork belly is one of the fattier and higher-calorie parts of pork, so eating too much is not advisable. Additionally, dishes that use a lot of kimchi can significantly increase sodium intake. Since boiling kimchi for a long time does not reduce its salt content, it is recommended to add other vegetables or avoid consuming the broth.

Low-Calorie Konjac... Avoid Excessive Long-Term Intake

Konjac is a plant belonging to the taro family, which is made into powder and used in dishes as noodles or jelly. The calorie content of konjac made in a square plate form is only 6 kcal per 100g. Since 96.7% of konjac is made up of water, it is considered a good ingredient for dieting.

It is also good for preventing constipation. The soluble dietary fiber 'glucomannan' in konjac helps increase beneficial bacteria in the intestines and improve bowel movements. In particular, 'glucomannan' has the property of absorbing water and expanding, so even a small amount can make you feel full.

However, it is important to avoid consuming too much konjac rice for a long time. The main component of konjac, 'glucomannan', can interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K, and minerals such as iron, calcium, and zinc.

A paper published in ≪The Journal of Nutrition≫ titled 'The Effect of Dietary Fiber on Human Mineral Bioavailability' points out that viscous soluble dietary fibers can bind with calcium, iron, and zinc in the stomach, hindering their absorption into the body. Therefore, it is advisable to take calcium supplements containing fat-soluble vitamins at least 1-2 hours apart from konjac.