Nana Reveals Strict Diet That Includes Only a Spoonful of Butter for Breakfast

“I live alone, but to be honest, I’m the type who doesn’t really cook at home,” Nana began. This is why the hosts and chefs were quite surprised when the contents of her fridge were revealed, as it contained a considerable amount of food.

She explained that her mother—who “is the type to stock up on a lot of things”—often visits, so most of the food in the fridge is actually for her. Nana added that about 80% of her refrigerator is filled with her mother’s groceries.

When asked if she eats carbs, Nana said she only does so “occasionally” because she’s “trying to cut back as much as possible.” Expanding on her diet, she shared, “It’s a low-carb, high-fat diet, so it’s almost 90% protein.” This is also known as a ketogenic, or keto, diet, and studies suggest it may help with “weight loss, visceral adiposity, and appetite control.”

One of the things that shocked the chefs most was Nana’s habit of eating a spoonful of butter on an empty stomach. “If it feels greasy, I sprinkle some salt on it and eat it,” she said. Intrigued, the chefs tried it themselves using clarified butter—described by Nana as “butter made by removing everything but the good fats”—from her fridge. Most of them found it undeniably greasy and said it somehow tasted like a candle.

While there are certain foods she avoids, such as rice and dishes made with flour, Nana doesn’t completely deprive herself of carbs or more substantial meals. “When I sometimes crave carbs or a regular meal, I ask my mom to make it for me at home, and I’ll eat it then.”

While Nana’s habits may come across as unconventional, they are not entirely isolated—similar extremes are increasingly visible across the Korean celebrity landscape.

More and more Korean stars are making appearances with noticeably slimmer physiques, and extreme diets are not unheard of. According to The Korea Times, the growing trend fuels debate “over body image standards in the entertainment industry.”

There are numerous reasons why celebrities work towards a lower number on the weighing scale, a common one being to get in character for a new role. Park Min-young is an example, having dropped 37 kilograms for her terminally ill character in Marry My Husband, which she achieved by consuming only sports drinks.

The famously athletic Ha Ji-won also altered her physique for the drama Climax to appear “more fragile and sensitive.” While it’s more evident among actresses, actors have engaged in extreme dieting methods as well, such as Park Ji-hoon, who lost 15 kilograms in less than three months. “I just didn’t eat.”

The Korea Times reported that some have been praising the “professionalism” of the celebrities, while others have expressed missing their healthier looks from the past.

Disclaimer: The information in this article does not constitute medical advice. The aforementioned diets are highly restrictive and may not be suitable for everyone.