Have you ever wondered whether Korean food is healthy or not? This is a common question for anyone who will be trying this type of food for the first time. You see, different cultures have their own ways of preparing and eating food. Certain dishes might seem strange to you at first glance but may actually be very wholesome once you understand the context in which they are consumed. Fortunately, the answer to this question is a resounding yes! In fact, Korean food can be extremely healthy if it’s made correctly. There are many complex flavors and textures that can only come from wholesome ingredients. In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Korean food and how it fits into a healthy diet plan.
Is Korean Food Healthy?
Yes, Korean food is healthy. Just like any other cuisine, Korean food has its own share of healthy and unhealthy dishes. If you go to a Korean restaurant, you can order dishes that are prepared with less oil, less salt, and less sugar. Some of the dishes that are healthy include bibimbap, naengmyun (cold noodles), dumplings, jjimdalk (steamed fish), and so on.
Why Is Korean Food Healthy?
1. Korean Food is Low in Fat
Korean food has a low-fat content compared to many other cuisines. Most of the dishes do not have much oil and are usually cooked in broth. The only sauces used are sesame oil and garlic, which are both healthy oils. In addition, there are no deep-fried foods or sides like fries or French fries that you’d see in Western meals.
2. Korean Food is Low in Sodium
Most Korean dishes do not use a lot of salt as seasoning, because it is already used as a condiment in many dishes. Instead, they use soy sauce as their main seasoning. Many Koreans go through their entire lives without ever tasting salt!
3. Korean Food Is Low in Sugar
Many of the traditional Korean side dishes such as kimchi, kongnamul (kale), and japchae (stir-fried noodles) use rice syrup or sugar instead of refined sugar for sweetness.
4. Korean Food is High in Fibre
Korean food is high in fiber because it’s made from fresh vegetables and grains that are mostly unprocessed. For example, bibimbap has rice as the main ingredient, which makes it high in fiber. In addition, there are many dishes that are made with various grains such as nokdu (white rice), legal (brown rice), and mandu (dumplings).
5. Korean Food is High in Protein
Korean food has a lot of protein because they use whole ingredients without any processing or additives to the food itself. There are no processed meats or meat substitutes used in Korean cuisine like there are in some Western cuisine.
6. Korean Food is Low in Trans Fats
Trans fats, which you may be familiar with from reading labels on packaged foods, are really bad for your health as they can cause heart disease and other diseases. To avoid trans fats, you should look for the words “hydrogenated oil” or “partially-hydrogenated oil” on the label. If you see these words, then that means that the product contains trans fats.
How To Make Healthy Korean Food At Home?
Korean Food Is Healthy And Delicious
One of the main reasons why Korean food is healthy is the fact that many Korean dishes are prepared with lots of vegetables. This means that if you’re used to eating Western food, then Korean food will be a great choice for you as it will provide you with plenty of fibrous, nutritious food. Furthermore, Korean food is also low in fat and high in fiber, which makes it perfect for people who want to lose weight. If you’re worried that Korean food might be too spicy for you, don’t worry. There are plenty of dishes in Korean cuisine that don’t have any spice at all. And if you like spicy food, there are many spicy Korean dishes that are actually quite healthy. Even the gochujang (the most popular red pepper paste in Korea) contains lots of vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants.
Eat Lots Of Vegetables
Vegetables are an essential part of any Korean meal. In fact, Koreans are often referred to as ‘gat-ba-jin, which means ‘people who eat vegetables from the mountains. As strange as this may sound, this Korean saying actually makes perfect sense because Koreans love eating their vegetables. This is why you will often see Korean dishes such as bibimbap, which is a bowl of rice topped with vegetables, or kimchi, which is a traditional Korean dish made from fermented vegetables. Korean meals usually consist of rice, soup, and a few side dishes. Side dishes are usually served in small portions, but they are usually very high in fiber and contain lots of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, which means vegetables are an essential part of any Korean meal.
Use Whole Grains
Whole grains are consumed in abundance in the Korean diet. This is because Koreans like using barley, rice, oats, and wheat to make all kinds of traditional foods, including pancakes, dumplings, and noodles. Grain is an essential part of any Korean meal, and Koreans consume it in a variety of ways. For example, you can use barley, rice, or oats to make tteokbokki, which is a Korean rice cake dish, or you can use wheat to make Korean pancakes. Even though it’s easy to use wheat to make pancakes, you should try to avoid using refined white flour. Instead, you should opt for whole-wheat flour. This is because whole-wheat flour has lots of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, while refined white flour has almost nothing to offer.
Don’t Skip The Sauce
The first thing that you should know about Korean cuisine is that almost every dish is served with gochujang. This is the most popular red pepper paste in Korea, and it is used in almost every Korean dish. You can use gochujang to make tasty marinades for roasts and other meat dishes, as well as a great sauce for kimchi. This means that if you want to make Korean food but are afraid that it will be too spicy, then you can always go for dishes that don’t have any sauce. However, if you like spicy food, then you should definitely go all out and use plenty of gochujang in your Korean dishes. Not only is gochujang a great source of vitamins and minerals. It is also highly beneficial for your cardiovascular health.
Add Some Whole Smoked Beef
If you really want to make your Korean dishes rich and saucy, then you should add some whole smoked beef to them. You can use this meat to make japchae, which is a delicious stir-fried dish. Japchae is usually served with gochujang, which is the most popular red pepper paste in Korea. This rich sauce is made from red pepper paste, which means that it contains a lot of beneficial nutrients and vitamins. However, if you are not a fan of spicy food, then you can always add some whole smoked beef to a few of your Korean dishes to make them more creamy and rich.
Add Some Tender Steamed Tofu
If you want to make your Korean dishes more nutritious and healthy, then you can always add some tender steamed tofu to them. You can use tofu to make a variety of different Korean dishes, including bibimbap, which is a bowl of rice topped with vegetables, or japchae, which is a stir-fried dish. Tofu is a great addition to any Korean dish because it is very high in protein and contains lots of minerals and vitamins. In fact, tofu is such a rich source of nutrients that it can be considered a superfood.
Add Some Dairy And Eggs
If you want to make your Korean dishes even more nutritious and delicious, then you should definitely add some dairy products and eggs. You can use dairy products such as milk, cheese, or yogurt to make yukgaejang, which is a Korean stew. You can also use eggs to make Korean pancakes or bindaetteok. In fact, pancakes are a very popular Korean dish, and they are usually served with gochujang. This rich sauce is made from red pepper paste, which means that it contains lots of beneficial vitamins and minerals. You can also add some eggs to your pancakes to make them more nutritious.
Final Words
Korean food is healthy, and it’s a great addition to any diet plan. It’s also very easy to add it to your daily life as it’s available in most restaurants and supermarkets. If you’re eager to try Korean food for the first time, here are a few suggestions.
