Actor Son Na-eun, formerly of the K-pop group Apink, recently revealed the strict dietary control behind her lean frame, sharing that she had never finished a single serving of instant ramyeon since her debut. Son stands 168 cm tall and weighs 46 kg.
In a video posted to the YouTube channel YouTube Ha Ji-young, titled "Manager Kim Special! Son Na-eun: 'Watching Yoon Kyung-ho, Choi Dae-hoon, and Senior So Ji-sub Act Made My Hands Shake!!'", Son visited a convenience store with host Ha Ji-young. Ha referred to the visit as a "cheat day," noting that she typically avoids refined carbohydrates like ramyeon and white rice.
Son agreed, sharing her long-standing diet rule. "To be honest, since my debut, I've never cooked a pack of ramyeon for myself and eaten it alone. I’ve never even finished a single cup ramyeon," Son admitted, surprising Ha. "My immediate thought is always that I shouldn't eat it. Even when I craved it intensely, I would only take a single bite from someone else's."
However, she revealed one recent exception. "When I was filming the SBS drama Manager Kim, it was winter, freezing cold, and the action scenes were so physically exhausting that I bought a cup ramyeon at a convenience store and ate the entire thing for the first time since my debut," Son added.
Why Instant Ramyeon Hinders Weight Management
The instant ramyeon Son strictly avoids is heavily laden with refined carbohydrates, sodium, and saturated fats, while lacking essential protein and dietary fiber. A single packet of bagged ramyeon contains roughly 450 to 550 calories, and consuming the broth causes sodium intake to surge sharply.
Because refined carbohydrates cause rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels, ramyeon provides very little lasting satiety. This rapid drop in blood sugar quickly triggers hunger again, leading to potential overeating and complicating weight management efforts.
How to Enjoy Ramyeon More Healthfully
For those managing their weight who still want to enjoy ramyeon occasionally, health experts suggest modifying how it is prepared and consumed:
Boost Protein and Fiber: Eat only half the noodles and add high-protein ingredients such as boiled eggs, chicken breast, tofu, or shrimp to increase satiety. Adding generous portions of vegetables—such as mung bean sprouts, cabbage, bok choy, spinach, mushrooms, and onions—supplies essential vitamins and dietary fiber.
Reduce Sodium and Calories: Use only half to two-thirds of the seasoning packet and leave as much of the broth behind as possible. Avoid pairing ramyeon with additional carbohydrate-heavy sides like gimbap, white rice, or dumplings.
Time Your Meals and Eat in Order: Consume ramyeon during active hours—such as lunchtime or around workouts—when energy expenditure is higher, rather than late at night. Furthermore, eating a salad or vegetables first, followed by protein, and finishing with the noodles helps blunt blood sugar spikes and prevents overeating.
