K-Celeb Jang Won Young Says She Prefers Desserts to Rice, but Medical Evidence Warns of Nutrient Imbalance and Metabolic Effects

Updated 2026/10/28 19:30

Eating sweet desserts frequently instead of meals can increase sugar intake and lead to nutritional imbalance, so caution is advised. Recently, Jang Won Young, 22 years old, a member of the group IVE, revealed that she enjoys eating desserts more than rice.On the YouTube channel ‘Today’s Joo Woo Jae,’ released on the 23rd, Jang Won Young said she likes sweet foods. She said, “Desserts rather than rice,” adding, “I used to eat rice, but these days I hardly eat rice.” When Joo Woo Jae said, “That can’t be good for your health,” Jang Won Young replied, “Feeling good is important, too.” She continued, “I like pretty and sweet foods more than bread eaten as a meal.”Desserts mainly contain large amounts of sugar, refined carbohydrates, and fat. Cakes, cookies, and doughnuts are high in calories but lack essential nutrients such as protein and dietary fiber. Therefore, repeatedly skipping meals and replacing them with desserts can lead to nutritional imbalance. A study published in the international journal ‘Nutrition Reviews’ analyzed 22 previous studies and found that 21 of them showed that higher added sugar intake was associated with lower nutritional quality of the diet. An analysis of nutrient intake also found that, in many cases, higher added sugar intake tended to be associated with lower intake of micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals.Failing to consume sufficient essential nutrients can also affect bodily functions. In particular, insufficient protein intake can reduce muscle mass and cause people to feel tired easily. Protein is an essential nutrient that makes up muscles, skin, and hormones, and plays an important role in maintaining bodily functions. Insufficient intake of minerals such as iron and calcium can also adversely affect conditions such as anemia and bone health.Blood sugar management also requires caution. Desserts containing large amounts of sugar or refined flour can rapidly raise blood sugar during digestion and absorption. Blood sugar is especially likely to rise sharply when sweet foods are eaten while dietary fiber or protein intake is insufficient. If this eating pattern continues over the long term, it can lead to weight gain and worsening metabolic health. A study published in the international journal ‘ACS Omega’ measured changes in blood sugar after 11 healthy adults ate a regular dairy dessert. The results showed that average blood sugar rose by approximately 36.7mg/dL, from 97.4mg/dL before consumption to 134.1mg/dL 30 minutes later. Blood sugar then gradually decreased and returned to the pre-consumption level 2 hours later. Repeated excessive fluctuations in blood sugar can also adversely affect vascular health.There is no need to avoid desserts altogether. However, rather than using desserts to replace meals, it is better to enjoy a moderate amount after eating a balanced meal. In daily life, it is important to consume sufficient nutrients by eating a variety of protein-rich foods such as eggs, fish, and tofu, along with vegetables and whole grains.

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