Figure skating legend Kim Yuna’s husband reveals her favorite midnight snack
Singer Ko Woo-rim appears on the JTBC show "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator," Sunday. Captured from YouTube
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Korean crossover male vocal quartet Forestella member Ko Woo-rim has revealed that his wife Kim Yuna, the 2010 figure skating Olympic champion, absolutely loves instant noodles as a late-night snack.
Appearing on JTBC’s "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator" on Sunday, Ko said, “I introduced Yuna to the world of late-night snacks. During her athletic career, she couldn’t freely eat things like that, so the whole concept of ‘night snacks’ was unfamiliar to her.”
He added that instant noodles are Kim’s favorite comfort food, especially black bean sauce instant noodles. “She says she still feels deprived because she couldn’t eat instant noodles while competing. Even if she’s already full, if instant noodles are cooked, she’ll still have some.”
Why do athletes and people managing their physique often avoid instant noodles?
A single pack of instant noodles typically contains around 465-540 calories and 75-90 grams of carbohydrates. Compared with balanced meals containing protein, vegetables, and whole foods, instant noodles are heavy in refined carbohydrates, fat and sodium, while offering relatively short-lasting fullness.
Because the noodles are made from refined flour, they digest quickly and can spike blood sugar levels, often leading to hunger again soon after eating. Fried noodles also increase fat and saturated fat intake. Since fat contains 9 calories per gram — more than carbohydrates or protein — calorie intake can rise quickly even with seemingly small portions.
Things become even more problematic when ramen is paired with rice, dumplings, soda or salty side dishes, increasing total daily calorie intake and potentially leading to body fat gain.
Sodium itself doesn’t turn into fat, but salty foods can trigger cravings for sugary drinks or additional foods. Excess sodium can also cause temporary water retention, making the face and body feel swollen the next day.
Black bean sauce instant noodles / gettyimagesbank
Eating instant noodles late at night may be especially unfavorable for body management because physical activity afterward is minimal, making it harder to burn the consumed calories. Salty broth may also worsen bloating, thirst and sleep quality.
If avoiding instant ramen entirely feels unrealistic, there are ways to reduce the nutritional burden: Use only half to two-thirds of the soup base; leave as much broth as possible uneaten; and add vegetables such as onions, cabbage, bean sprouts, mushrooms or green onions for extra fiber and fullness.
For black bean sauce instant noodles, using less powder seasoning and oil sauce can help lower sodium and fat intake. Reducing the noodle portion and adding vegetables or eggs may also make the meal more balanced.
Experts also recommend avoiding eating instant noodles immediately before bed. Going to sleep with a full stomach can burden digestion overnight. People with hypertension, diabetes, obesity or acid reflux are advised to limit both the frequency and portion size of ramen consumption.
This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.