Conflicts While Dieting

Hello, hope you're doing well. 🍡 When summer arrives, isn't there something you just crave to eat? (Even though it's still spring...) Yes, Hiyashi Chuka (chilled ramen)! The moment those smooth noodles, crunchy vegetables, and sweet and sour sauce mingle is truly a moment of bliss. However, for someone like me on a diet, Hiyashi Chuka is what I'd call a "calorie temptation." Every day, the conflict of "I want to eat it! But I must resist!" plays out in my head like a wrestling match. So, I'm here to share how I'm exploring "smart ways to eat" so I can enjoy Hiyashi Chuka even while dieting!

Why is Hiyashi Chuka so attractive?

First of all, what is the appeal of Hiyashi Chuka? When I think about it, that dish is a work of art with perfect balance. The chewiness of the noodles, the crisp texture of the cucumbers and ham, the fluffy tenderness of the shredded egg, and that sauce! I love both the sharp, soy-based flavor and the rich, deep sesame sauce so much that I can't choose between them. Plus, it's chilled, so it's perfect for the summer heat. When you eat it, you just think, "Ah, I'm coming back to life!" don't you?

However, as someone on a diet, what worries me is the calories. A regular serving of Hiyashi Chuka is about 500–700 kcal. If you add things like mayonnaise, it can easily exceed 800 kcal! My daily calorie goal is around 1500 kcal, so that means one bowl of Hiyashi Chuka wipes out more than half of it. Wow, that's terrifying! But I can't suppress the urge to eat it. After all, Hiyashi Chuka is the "soul food of summer"!

The epic battle between dieting and Hiyashi Chuka

My love for Hiyashi Chuka exploded on a particularly hot day. The moment a commercial for Hiyashi Chuka played on TV while I was in my air-conditioned room, I heard a "ding!" in my brain. I was driven by a mysterious sense of duty, thinking, "If I don't eat this, summer will be over!" But then I looked at my reflection in the mirror and scolded myself, "No, you're on a diet! Resist! Resist!"

But you know, appetite easily jumps over reason. In the end, I dashed to the local supermarket and put a Hiyashi Chuka kit in my basket. While paying at the register, I saw the person next to me buying a "Diet Coke" and justified it to myself, thinking, "Oh, I'll just get that calorie-off feeling from this too!" I went home and immediately started cooking!

But here's where the problem arose. The sauce in Hiyashi Chuka kits is super concentrated. When I looked at the ingredients, it was packed with sugar and oil. The moment I realized, "If I drink this, I'll be over my calorie limit in an instant..." I almost felt like crying. But since I'd already bought it, I wanted to eat it! So, I decided to launch the "Diet Hiyashi Chuka Project"!

How to make diet-friendly Hiyashi Chuka

I'll share the method I arrived at through trial and error to enjoy Hiyashi Chuka with less guilt even while dieting. With this, everyone should be able to get through the summer deliciously!

1. Choose your noodles wisely

Regular Hiyashi Chuka noodles are wheat-based and are just a lump of carbohydrates. But nowadays, there are options like low-carb noodles, konjac noodles, and tofu noodles! I personally love using konjac noodles. They are about 20 kcal per serving, and the smoothness is perfect. At first, I thought, "Konjac!? Won't it be bland...?" but when you mix it with the sauce, you don't notice it at all. You can easily buy them at supermarkets or online, so give it a try!

2. Cut calories by making your own sauce

Store-bought sauces are delicious, but they're full of sugar and oil... So, I decided to make my own sauce. Here is the basic recipe:

- Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons

- Vinegar: 2 tablespoons

- Sesame oil: 1 teaspoon (use a little for just the aroma!)

- Lakanto (zero-calorie sweetener): 1 teaspoon

- Grated ginger: 1 teaspoon

- Water: 1 tablespoon (to dilute)

Mix these together to make a sweet, tangy, and refreshing sauce. It has less than half the calories of store-bought sauce! If you prefer sesame sauce, try mixing ground sesame seeds with yogurt instead of sesame paste; it creates a rich yet low-calorie sauce.

3. Increase volume with ingredients

The ingredients for chilled Chinese noodles are surprisingly low in calories. Cucumbers, bean sprouts, and lettuce are practically zero calories. Instead of ham or roast pork, add chicken breast, tenderloin, or boiled shrimp to get protein and increase satisfaction. One egg is enough for the shredded egg garnish. As for mayonnaise... resist! I recommend adding a little wasabi or mustard instead for an accent.

4. Timing is also important

When dieting, eating a heavy meal late at night is a no-go. It's best to eat chilled Chinese noodles for lunch. If you eat them during the day, you can burn off the calories through your activities, and the satisfaction will reduce snacking. Also, it's important to chew slowly. If you slurp them all down at once, you'll get hungry again right away.

Put it into practice! A diet-friendly chilled noodle lifestyle

At first, I thought, 'Will konjac noodles be unsatisfying?' but after adding plenty of toppings and getting creative with the sauce, it's just as satisfying as regular chilled Chinese noodles! Plus, keeping it to about 200–300 kcal per serving has really reduced my diet-related stress.

My love for chilled Chinese noodles knows no bounds.

Even when you're on a diet, there's no need to give up on chilled Chinese noodles! With a little ingenuity, you can keep the delicious taste while significantly cutting calories. Don't let the summer heat get you down—slurp up some chilled noodles and refresh both your body and mind!

Everyone, try making your own 'diet-friendly chilled Chinese noodles'! If you have any fun variations, please let me know!

Thank you for reading until the end✨️

Quote of the day
'There are flowers that live for their scent rather than their appearance.'
This means that sometimes the inner self is more important than the outer appearance.
This also applies to human relationships, doesn't it? It seems to suggest that we shouldn't judge people solely by their appearance, but rather look at the value found in their inner character, actions, and words😊