Winter snacks and diet

Popular winter snacks such as hot fish cake soup can ruin your diet plan.
/ Korea Times file

By Yoon Ja-young

Losing weight is a New Year's resolution for many, but the temptation of delicious winter snacks can put an end to all our best intentions.

The Korea Health Promotion Foundation warns that those wanting to lose weight should take note that eating just a couple of winter snacks can provide more calories than a bowl of rice.

Tteokbokki, or stir-fried rice cake in pepper paste sauce, accompanied by hot fish cake soup is favorite street snack for many. However, according to the foundation, eating just eight pieces of Tteokbokki adds 300 calories to your daily diet, equivalent to a bowl of rice. Having a skewer of fish cake will add 95 calories on that.

Bungeobbang, fish-shaped pastries sold on the street contain sweet red beans. These may look small, but contain as many as 213 calories. A baked sweet potato, which also stimulates your appetite, may sound healthy, but don't forget that this delight contains 248 calories.

The foundation acknowledges that it is unrealistic idea to try to avoid all winter snacks. "It is better to enjoy those snacks appropriately, accompanied by exercise and activities. The key here is to take adequate exercise equivalent to the calories intake," the foundation said in the "tips on winter snacks."

It added that fruit, vegetables and milk, abundant in vitamins and minerals, will make better snacks than rice cake or breads, which mostly contain carbohydrates and fats. Mandarin oranges, for instance, adds only 38 kcal, while containing plenty of vitamin C to help prevent colds. "Mandarin oranges will make up for the loss of liquid as well as offering vitamin C, helping maintaining firm skin," the foundation explained, recommending buying a box of the fruit for everybody in the office to enjoy.

It also recommends drinking milk, abundant in diverse nutrients such as protein, calcium, vitamins A, C and E, zinc, iron, phosphorus and potassium.

"Between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. is the critical moment when you get most tempted to have a snack. If you falter there and add a plentiful dinner to the snacks, your New Year's diet pledge will collapse," the foundation added.

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