BTS member Jung Kook has revealed that he is currently on a diet and strictly follows a one-meal-a-day routine.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone UK, Jung Kook said, “These days, I’m on a diet and only eat one meal a day.” He said, “So I really look forward to that one meal.”
He said that along with dieting, he is also exercising every morning and evening. Jung Kook said his lifestyle attitude changed after military service, adding, “I used to drink alcohol, but now I’m trying to refrain from it.” Here is what experts say about this approach to health management.
One meal a day, what effect does it have?
The one-meal-a-day diet that Jung Kook is practicing is considered a type of intermittent fasting in which fasting hours are extended. The method became widely known in Korea after Japanese plastic surgeon Yoshinori Nagumo promoted the idea in books arguing that fasting benefits health. Nagumo said eating one meal a day not only helps control weight but also activates longevity genes that may help prevent diabetes, dementia and cancer.
When fasting continues under a one-meal-a-day plan, the body lacks glucose and burns fat more quickly, which can support weight loss. Normally, the body prioritizes burning glucose over fat because it treats fat as an essential survival resource. When combined with aerobic exercise, as Jung Kook does, body fat and weight can be reduced more effectively.
Are there side effects to eating only one meal a day?
However, experts say it is difficult to define the method as universally healthy. If the body enters a low blood sugar state due to the one-meal-a-day diet, symptoms such as fatigue, headaches and lethargy can occur. Continued practice of this eating pattern may also lead to nutrient deficiencies and weakened immunity. Eating only one meal a day may result in daily intake of just about 500 kilocalories.
To avoid side effects, specialists say it is better to design a diet that can be sustained long term while supplying balanced nutrients. A healthy meal plan should provide adequate amounts of carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. Refined carbohydrates such as flour, sugar and white rice can be replaced with whole grains to support both weight control and blood sugar health. Eating fiber-rich food such as a salad before meals can help prevent overeating while supplementing nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium.
Reducing alcohol intake is also important during dieting. Alcohol contains about 7 kilocalories per gram, which is high in energy but provides little nutritional value and does not create a strong sense of fullness. Because alcohol does not activate the body’s satiety signals, people tend to seek additional food when drinking. If alcohol consumption is unavoidable, experts say it is better to choose side dishes such as seafood, salad or cheese, which are relatively lower in calories and richer in nutrients.
