@dougmiller5849
After visitng the Korean countryside, I noticed no fast food, less bread, more fresh fruits like peaches, less sugary snacks. Also, the people were more active. Seeing a woman in her 70s perform hand stances in the park really was impressive, all her friends were cheering her on, so physical activity is increased. Elders climbing mountains was impressive too. Walking is a must and Korea has lots of steep hills.
@texasburbs4380
I had a Korean exchange student for 9 months. She gained about 15 lbs. even though we tried to eat a lot of Korean food. Like you said, in the US we tend to eat a lot more unhealthy food and huge portion sizes. She lost the weight as soon as she was back in Korea and it isn't like she is starving herself, the girl can eat! It is just healthier.
@vanbeuthen3701
Fun fact: I lost over 15 kg in my 2 months in Seoul just because of eating only Korean food like Gimbap there. I was quite (positive) shocked, because I just changed my eating style and not much more. Since I'm back home I mostly cook korean food, care more about sports and already lost 25 kg before my time there. Friends couldn't believe that because I'm like a new person. Awesome! :)
@Xiaxue978
Your observations are spot on. 100% correct. Personally, I don’t think the portions in Korea are that small but I find Korean food very filling and full of natural ingredients without the heaviness of butter, cream, etc. When I lived there, one day a school girl was going home and said she was so excited. I asked why and she replied that she was going to eat an orange! I cannot imagine an American child being as thrilled to go home because there were oranges there.
@eunsihae
I eat MUCH more when I visit Korea, yet bec of the walking, dragging luggage, climbing hills & stairs.. i always come home lighter than when i just arrived. The unintentional "exercise" is what affects my weight and calorie intake. totally agree with you, Anna. I've visited at least 5x, and each time has been the case with weight loss.
@Letsdivein_1
Simple, Short, On point, Just as I needed. I like this video, thanks alot
@ubiquitousinfluence
loved that she got straight to the point instead of an annoying little intro in the beginning. idk why youtubers think we have endless hours in the day to be listening to their little rambles at the start of every video. anyway this was very informative so thank u ma'am
@Dazarabia522
I livedd in Korea for 7 years, I ate only Korean food and I slimmed down without trying from 63 kilos to 53 kilos. I ate 3 meals a day and my diet was heavenly
@Off_the_clock_astrophysicist
I changed my diet when I married into a Korean family. There was no drastic change in my weight because I come from another slim country, France. But the Korean diet still worked wonders for my health. Rice repaced bread. My intake of vegetables went way up. I don't kow why western countries can't figure out yummy vegetable dishes. The variety and flavor of the vegetable side dishes on a Korean table is out of this world. The fresh produce section at a Korean grocery store is glorious. I used to have a lot of digestive issues in my youth and early adulthood. That's gone. My intake of dairy went down (also partly because having immigrated to the US, I can't find good, affordable cheese anymore).
@gillianomeagher1221
Every Korean and Chinese female friend I have is utterly obsessed with their weight. Their families will constantly point out they are bloated or have put on weight (like, a kilo!) and the fat shaming is extreme. Young women's weight is way more monitored by family, friends, lovers, and society in general. Being slim/physical appearance is included in competitive conservative culture, like income etc.
@DeathfireD
When I visited Korea for a week, I came back home 10lbs lighter. Between the walking every day and how meals are broken up into side dishes instead of one large plate, really makes a huge difference. The quality of the food is also a lot better. Not a lot of added ingredients or chemicals compared to American foods.
@bnmimi4ever
Wow. Thanks so much. This is a great video. It explains the topic so well. It makes so much sense. You are the best.
@jasminekim4283
it’s not just diet and healthy food culture, but HUGE social pressure. I now live in California and people consider me skinny and fit, (i do love active lifestyle and delicious “real” food) and I have almost zero pressure on my weight. but back in Korea growing up I constantly heard (almost weekly basis) to “lose weight” “you are big” “why did you gain weight” “you better lose that extra puffiness” from acquaintances, friends family and even strangers. Not just weight but same for skin and just general appearance. Idk why Koreans care SO MUCH about it. yes it matters but only to the extent you are taking good care of yourself. Honestly I cannot be happier now that I left Korean living in Cali as a young woman just having less pressure in my daily life about appearances. Now I have way less stress and pressure on that part. The main difference I felt is Koreans think “smaller” is prettier and that’s something you “should” strive to get it, no matter what you do. But here at least in Cali, it’s about you “look” healthy than just being small. And it matters if you use your physical body as your job, but if your job is mainly using brainpower, who cares?
@aaiscya9388
Not only are you intelligent, bubbly and fun…you’re honest! I think this is what I appreciate the most about your input! Keep being transparent and your awesome self👏🏾
@Steph3333able
I absolutely LOVED this video. I was born in the US and live in the US. I've struggled with obesity my entire life. Literally since I was 13 years old. When I began having health issues in my early 30's, I started looking into what I was eating and my activity. We Americans have horrible diets. That has been the most difficult thing to overcome. It's not necessarily my own mentality. I want to eat healthy and be active. However, everyone around me thinks I'm crazy for eating the way that I do. The other factor is that so many think that just because it's on the shelf it's okay to eat. I'm hoping that one day this changes. Whole foods are the way to go in my opinion. Perhaps I should adopt a Korean diet.
@VxiceheartxV
its funny you mention the baking, for me personally I never used the oven, BUT learning to use the oven for roasting vegetables has been a huge help in lowering my waistline! It's so easy to toss veggies in a lot of seasonings an throw them in the oven to roast. I hate to cook but since it's easy, now I eat so many more types of veggies, carrots, broccoli, squash, brussels sprouts, and more since I learned to use the oven.
@thejojojo1111
When I lived in Korea, I witnessed professional people walking sooo much. It was sooo hard for me to keep up with tje Koreans bc I drove everywhere in the states. I imagine that the average working Korean walks 3 to 5 miles a day just walking up and down the stairs to go through the subway, and to go to work. Now that I have returned to the US, I do the same. I walk everywhere and that is my "gym" time. Picking up that lifestyle has been a wonderful change in my life.
@Off_the_clock_astrophysicist
My Korean husband uses our oven to store pots and pans. I don't use our oven often, but being of French origin, I like to bake a good cake or bread once in a while. I have to empty out the oven first.
@RiRi-Riah
A weird thing about certain places in the US is that a lot of people will shame others for healthy habits. I live in Florida, if you see someone walking to a grocery store or using public transportation people will look down on them because they think youre poor. Having a car is a status symbol in a lot of places in the US. If you eat healthy out a restaurant with friends people will sometimes look at you weird for having a salad or choosing veggies instead of fries. You look like youre trying to be better than everyone else when you choose to eat healthy or say no to dessert. 99% of my friends are like this, it sucks because it does not make you want to live healthy, it makes you want to live like the people around you so you don’t get judged :-/ i’m 26 by the way i’m not sure if older Americans experience the same thing.
@anna.lee_jy