Forget low-calorie food, Chinese youth turn to tasteless, chewy snacks to lose weight
Young dieters in China are increasingly turning away from low-calorie foods in favour of a new trend: chewy snacks. On social media, they are sharing their new-found favourites, including beef jerky, frozen buns, and even baby teething biscuits – each characterised by their toughness and chewiness. Many prefer chewy foods as a way to keep their mouths busy and trick their brains into feeling…
Chinese youths are abandoning low-calorie foods to embrace a new trend: chewy snacks. These snacks, characterized by their toughness and chewiness, include items like beef jerky, frozen buns, and baby teething biscuits. The primary motivation for these dieters is not taste but rather the act of chewing, which helps keep the mouth occupied and tricks the brain into feeling satisfied, thereby minimizing the desire to consume more.
One 37-year-old netizen from Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, going by @yigexiangmujingli, has made dangshena root a staple in her weight loss journey. This root, believed to benefit the spleen and lungs in traditional Chinese medicine, offers a moderately sweet taste that she finds more appealing than meat-flavored options. She combines this with beef jerky and sugar-free chewing gum to stay focused at work without gaining weight.
The trend of chewy snacks has also spurred interest in traditionally difficult-to-chew foods across China. Zhoushan hard cake, originating from Zhoushan city in eastern Zhejiang province, has gained popularity. This sundried glutinous rice cake, known for its hardness comparable to a brick, was historically preserved by ancient civilizations for military campaigns and sea fishing. Other rediscovered traditional chewy snacks include fried rice cookies from Guangdong and pancakes from Shandong.
For these young dieters, the focus has shifted from calorie counts to the enjoyment of chewing while consuming minimal amounts. One individual even expressed his fondness for dog chew sticks, which help him manage anxiety during exams. He can spend up to two hours on a single stick, noting that it also aids in maintaining oral hygiene.
Chewy snacks are just one approach among young Chinese millennials aiming to lose weight, alongside choosing low-glycaemic index foods or "human food," which consists of diced and frozen meat and vegetables. These methods are viewed as healthier alternatives to extreme dieting strategies, such as drastically restricting food intake. Research suggests that chewing can alleviate mental stress, and TCM principles emphasize thorough chewing and slow eating as beneficial for digestive health, thereby enhancing metabolism.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
