Korean Job Discussion Forums

[taobenli]

I know this topic has been covered, but you all know the deal with the search function...links to other threads are also appreciated.

I have about a month left in Korea before heading back for my second year of grad school. Since I'm living with a Korean family and often have dinner at home with them, I think I'm eating better than my last stay in Korea. I also joined a gym for the summer and work-out most days, for 1-2 hours each time, alternating weights and cardio (I like my gym because it's not that uncommon to see women doing the free weights too).

I don't think I've gained or lost weight, in terms of actual numbers. I'm not that overweight but could stand to lose about 10 pounds or 5 kilos at least (over time, of course, I don't expect to accomplish this in one month). My clothes do fit better, so I think I've gotten leaner and more toned, and have replaced some fat with muscle.

Since I'm exercising, my question is about food. Dinners are generally healthy, but I'm sure I could eat better for breakfast and lunch. I need some people who know about nutrition better than me to advise...For breakfast I think I have been eating badly sometimes, since I have a long and early commute and tend to just buy something on the way to school- usually some drinking yogurt (for the acidopholus) and a convenience store bread (not healthy at all, I know). Sometimes I have yogurt and one of those Soyjoy bars. If fruit looks in season then I have that too. Any other advice?

For lunch I usually have a simple lunch out near school- I try to stick to jigae or soups because they seem healthier, and avoid Chinese fast-food or greasy meat dishes. Sometimes if I crave dolsot bibimbap I have that. What common Korean dishes are best for weight loss and high in nutrition?

[newintown]

try & cut out rice if you can. i've lost 5 kilos in the last 3 months just by eliminating rice. i don't actually like rice that much, and was eating it out of habit, and cos it made me feel full.
oh & of course OD on kimchi. it cures/solves everything.

[Harpeau]

Eating Quaker Oatmeal most mornings is a very good habit to get into. Other nutritious cereals are great as well. (BTW, where can I buy Alpen?!)

For lunch, Dol soet beepimbab is very good. I usually ask for a couple of cooked eggs with it. In addition, tuna kimbap is awesome, but make sure you ask them to take out the ham and add more veggies. Fish is also excellent. Drink lots of water and take vitamin C and Omega 3. Also, Jasmine tea is very good.

Try not to focus on the scale, but rather your waist line. Remember, muscle is heavier than fat. Keep it up!

[in_seoul_2003]

[Apple]

Damn.. I have gained about 15 kg in just three months.. korean food is plain krap! I dont think they will be winning any awards for thier food..

[jindodog]

i lost about 20 pounds (about 10kgs) in the first 3-4months of living in korea (i am overweight)....of course that was mostly because i dont really eat meat and everything freaked me out/was disgusting.

of course, i was getting all these bruises and stuff from being malnourished...that said i've kept off the weight and have found plenty of things that are edible (especially after moving from the middle of nowhere to an actual city).

i would like to lose an aditional 30-40 pounds. It seems to me though that dolsat bimbimbap has a lot of oil in it....someone from daves posted the calories and it was quite a bit...also i think tuna gimbap is a lot more caloric than people think (you can ask for no mayo as well)

[keseki]

this site has a good list of the caloric content in lots of popular korean dishes.

http://kitty.zaccari.us/site/pages/korea/korean-food-calories.php

[The Perfect Cup of Coffee]

[shaunew]

Thanks for the site. I booked market it. Some of the dishes I eat I will be cutting out for now on.

[keseki]

yeah i never thought kimbap was so high in calories!

same with jajangmyeon...i was gonna order some for lunch, but after i found that site...no thanks

[cwaddell]

In my first year i seriously lost around 5 stone, or 70 pounds. Not sure what that is in Kg, so who knows if I qualify for that televisual treat, The Biggest Loser.....

I ate kimchi/dwaenjang jjigae or dolsot bibimbap for lunch every day, the occasional mandu or kimbab, and a big feast of meat at the weekends.

Oh and I still couldn't help gorging on pizza and McDs on "Hangover Sunday".

So, actually, I can't explain it. Must have been all that kimchi. OK, I should also mention I was recovering from a knee injury before coming over, and was able to start running for the first time in about 3 years. Plus, 10 hour hikes seemed to strip me of about 7 or 8 pounds each time, though obviously some of that reappeared soon after the initial drop.

Also, I am a sucker for those damn Crunky's.