Korean actor claims to lose 10kg after eating 3 hamburgers

According to Korea Times, recently, Koo Sung-hwan, a 45-year-old Korean actor, surprised the audience when he announced that he would lose 10kg in three weeks after eating 3 hamburgers in one meal.

In a recent episode of MBC's reality show “I Live Alone,” Koo could be seen shopping for fall clothes in Itaewon, the neighborhood famous for the stampede tragedy that killed more than 100 people a few years earlier.

After struggling to find a shirt that fits, he confessed: “I’ve put on a lot of weight. I’ve recently weighed 112kg,” adding that he aims to get down to 95kg at his 1m82 height.

Later in the same episode, Koo is seen visiting a hamburger shop and devouring three burgers. He laughs and says, “I’m on a diet so I’m only eating about 70% of what I should be eating,” and confidently says, “Because I’ve given up fries, I’ll lose 10kg in 3 weeks, I’m sure of it.”

His claim sparked an online debate about whether leaving fries out of a hamburger would make that much of a difference.

Are hamburgers really the enemy of dieting?

Nutritionists say the hamburger itself isn't the ultimate diet killer. The real problem is combining it with other foods, especially fries and sugary soft drinks. Fries are high in calories and saturated fat, which can hinder weight loss.

On the other hand, a burger containing protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates is more filling and nutritionally balanced than a carbohydrate-only snack like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes). Many fitness trainers even argue that burgers can be a relatively complete meal if chosen carefully.

Choosing a low-calorie, high-protein burger can help with weight control. However, when the patty is fried and topped with sauce or cheese, the saturated fat and sodium levels increase dramatically, so it should be avoided regularly.

Actor Koo Sung-hwan. (Source: Korea Times)

The real problem is the chips and soda?

The real culprit in most fast food meals is the french fries. While potatoes are naturally rich in carbohydrates, deep frying them adds a large amount of saturated and trans fats, turning them into a calorie bomb.

And therefore, one serving of hamburger would exceed the healthy fat limit and could negatively affect heart health.

When combined with soda, a typical burger can reach 1,000-1,200 calories, much higher than the recommended 300-600 kcal per meal for standard diets.

So, if you skip the fries and sugary drinks, a burger alone can be a manageable occasional meal, even while dieting.

Replacing fries with lower-calorie sides like salad, coleslaw or pickles — and choosing water, zero-calorie soda or iced coffee — can help maintain nutritional balance while reducing total calories.

However, experts recommend limiting such meals to once a week or less when dieting.

Healthier Side Options for Hamburgers

Salads, coleslaw, and pickles are smart alternatives to chips. These side dishes provide fiber, vitamins, and help you feel full with far fewer calories.

A simple salad with minimal dressing contains about 20-40 calories, while an average mixed cabbage salad contains 100-150 calories per 100 grams, is lower in fat and sodium than french fries, and has added antioxidants from the cabbage and carrots.

Pickles are virtually calorie-free, adding freshness and satiety. Sliced apples also make a light, refreshing side dish.

And anyway, the audience is eagerly waiting for Koo's diet results, to "vindicate" long-standing prejudices about hamburgers./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/nam-dien-vien-han-quoc-tuyen-bo-se-giam-10kg-sau-khi-an-3-chiec-hamburger-post1074906.vnp