숏컷의 아이콘 고준희가 고백한 ‘아이스크림 잔혹사’와 슬렌더 몸매의 미학 > K-wave Trends

The cause of Go Jun-hee’s rapid weight gain was none other than ‘ice cream.’ During the COVID-19 pandemic, she had a habit of consuming 2-3 pieces of Häagen-Dazs ice cream after returning home, and was so dependent on ice cream that she even had a dedicated refrigerator in her room. Ice cream, which is a combination of sugar and fat, strongly stimulates the brain's reward system, making it difficult to control intake, and the habit of eating it late at night, especially when physical activity is low, has led to the accumulation of body fat. In the end, she experienced a noticeable weight change of 6 to 7 kg, and it was only after facing a professional crisis of filming a diet commercial that she finally made the decision to dispose of the refrigerator. This is a prime example of how snacks that provide short-term pleasure can be the biggest enemy of weight management.

Recently, her eerily slim ‘bone-thin’ body and 9-head-to-body ratio are often envied by the public. Her style, represented by a black slip dress and short cut, goes beyond a simple skinny figure and creates an unrivaled aura, solidifying her title as the ‘representative slender in the entertainment industry.’ However, these unrealistic visuals do not come naturally. Based on lessons learned from past mistakes, she is currently maintaining her best condition through strict diet control and lifestyle changes. The public is crazy about her appearance, but behind that lies her fierce self-control, which started with emptying the refrigerator to cut off the wanderings of the past.

Through Go Jun-hee’s case, we also need a cool-headed analysis of the recently popular ‘low-sugar, zero-sugar ice cream.’ Choosing products with reduced sugar for your health is a wise change, but you should not overlook the fact that the label ‘low sugar’ does not guarantee ‘low calorie’. According to the results of a survey by the Korea Consumer Agency, even products with reduced sugar often have a high fat content or are similar in total calories to regular products. Additionally, caution is required as sugar alcohols contained in low-sugar products can cause abdominal distension or diarrhea if consumed excessively. In the end, increasing your intake because you are reassured by the phrase ‘low sugar’ may have the opposite effect, defeating the purpose of weight management.

Considering the eating habits of Koreans, whose consumption of ice cream in the summer exceeds the world average, the use of alternative snacks suggested by Go Jun-hee can be a very practical alternative. If you want to enjoy the soft texture and cold temperature of ice cream while also managing your weight, it is much wiser to use natural ingredients such as Greek yogurt, frozen blueberries, or frozen bananas. These substitutes not only prevent excessive intake of sugar and fat, but also supplement protein and dietary fiber to keep you feeling full for a long time. Making and eating homemade popsicles with controlled sugar content is also a great habit to keep healthy during the summer. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for a change in perception to view snacks as a part of nutrition that supplies the body with the energy it needs, rather than as a tool for pleasure.