How to Lose Weight Eating Korean Food

South Korea tauts the lowest obesity rate of any developed country, with only 3.5 percent of its adult population categorized as obese. Compare that with America's 34.5 percent, and it's easy to see why we should take a look at the Korean menu. The South Koreans eat a very healthy diet filled with fresh vegetables and complemented with seafood, lean meat, and lots of spices.

Step 1:

Eat your veggies. Korean dishes like bibimbap (rice bowl with vegetables) and onmyeon (noodle soup with vegetables) are packed with a variety of colorful plant life—both wild and cultivated. Even if you order bulgogi (grilled marinated beef) at a restaurant, you are sure to get plenty of side dishes with all kinds of tasty vegetable treats whether you asked for them or not. Including lots of vegetables in your diet will provide you with low-calorie, high fiber nutrition, leaving little room for junk.

Step 2:

Pour on the chili paste. Korean food is notoriously spicy, and most meals come with a tiny side dish of chili paste as a condiment. According to Soon Young Chung, author of "Korean Home Cooking," "spices are used in Korean cooking for health and nutrition as much as for their taste". Adding some spice to your foods will add a small boost to your metabolism as well as some flavor to otherwise bland healthy foods.

Step 3:

Don't forget the kimchi. Kimchi is Korea's most distinctive culinary treat. Basic kimchi is made of fresh or fermented cabbage seasoned with garlic, fish sauce, ginger and chili powder, although it also comes in many other varieties. It is a staple of the Korean diet served at every meal, and it is believed to be high in nutrients and good for digestion. Adding some spicy kimchi to your diet with help move things along, so to speak.

Step 4:

Try some Korean ginseng. For centuries, Koreans have claimed that this special root has many medicinal purposes including weight loss. In fact, the Seoul Department of Internal Medicine released a report in January of 2009 claiming that Korean ginseng may reduce blood sugar. This may help control those sugar cravings. Head to a Korean public market to try a freshly made ginseng, milk and honey smoothie, or try the traditional summer samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) to see if it works for you.

Step 5:

Sit down and enjoy your food. Koreans put a lot of effort into food preparation and presentation. They taste everything, but rarely clean their plates. Dishes are typically shared with several family members instead of consumed individually. Adding these customs to your eating habits are sure to help you slow down, savor your food, and consume less.