Minami, a member of the K-pop group RESCENE, recently revealed the key meal behind her diet routine: homemade carrot rapée wraps.
Appearing on the YouTube channel 117 for "Sana’s Fridge Interview," Minami gave viewers a look inside her refrigerator and expressed her love for carrot rapée—a French-style salad made by tossing shredded carrots with salt, olive oil, vinegar, and whole-grain mustard.
"I put napa cabbage or regular cabbage in rice paper, add carrot rapée, and put in a little meat to taste to make a wrap," Minami explained. "I used to make these wraps and carry them with me to music shows. When I was feeling hungry but didn't want a heavy meal, I worked really hard to lose weight by eating these healthy wraps."
Fiber and Lean Protein Deliver Lasting Satiety
Minami’s wraps offer a balanced combination for weight management. The principal benefit comes from pairing high-fiber vegetables with protein inside a low-calorie wrapper.
Carrots, cabbage, and napa cabbage contain abundant dietary fiber, which absorbs water in the stomach and expands to promote a feeling of fullness. Fiber also slows glucose absorption, preventing sharp spikes in blood sugar following a meal. Rapid blood sugar surges trigger the release of insulin, a hormone that converts excess glucose into stored fat. By stabilizing blood sugar, high-fiber foods help create favorable conditions for weight loss.
Adding protein—such as chicken breast, lean beef, tofu, or shrimp—further enhances satiety. Protein intake suppresses hunger hormones and reduces cravings more effectively than carbohydrates alone. Meanwhile, single sheets of rice paper contain roughly 15 to 20 calories, offering a lighter alternative to flour tortillas or bread while allowing individuals to eat a satisfying volume of bulky vegetables. Wrapping the ingredients also encourages a slower eating pace, which naturally prevents overeating.
Watch Out for Excessive Oils, Sauces, and Rice Paper
While these wraps are nutrient-dense, certain preparation choices can quietly elevate the total calorie count. Rice paper is primarily composed of rice starch; stacking multiple sheets or consuming excessive wraps increases carbohydrate load. To maximize diet benefits, wraps should be filled with additional vegetables and lean protein rather than extra rice paper.
Portion control also applies to the olive oil used in carrot rapée. Although olive oil is a healthy plant-based fat low in saturated fatty acids, it remains calorie-dense. Health guidelines, including those from Harvard University, emphasize using plant-based oils in moderation.
Finally, heavy dipping sauces such as mayonnaise, sweet chili, or sugar-laden dressings can diminish the diet benefits. Light seasonings like vinegar, lemon juice, or whole-grain mustard are preferable options. Above all, these health wraps support weight management only when consumed in place of higher-calorie meals or snacks, rather than added on top of a standard daily diet.
