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 satisfied, reducing the urge to eat more.For these dieters, taste is not the top priority; instead, the focus is on the toughness of the snacks. The harder to chew, the more effective they believe it is.One 37-year-old netizen from Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, using the handle @yigexiangmujingli, has taken to munching on dangshena root thought to bolster the spleen and lung in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – as her chewy snack of choice.Many prefer these tough foods to keep their mouths busy and trick their brains into feeling full, ultimately reducing the urge to overeat. Photo: SohuShe shared with the SCMP that while she maintains a workout routine, she struggles with self-control around food. Hence, she seeks Chewy Snacks that keep her focused at work without adding weight to her body.According to her, dangshen offers a mildly sweet taste, which she prefers over traditional meat-flavoured options. She sometimes indulges in additive-free beef jerky and sugar-free chewing gum as well.The rise of Chewy Snacks has also inspired some to explore traditionally hard-to-chew foods across China. One user sourced Zhoushan hard cake – originating from Zhoushan city in eastern Zhejiang province – known for being “as hard as a brick.” This sundried glutinous rice cake was historically preserved by ancient civilisations for military campaigns and sea fishing.Other traditional Chewy Snacks being rediscovered include fried rice cookies from Guangdong and pancakes from Shandong.The rise of these Chewy Snacks – some of which consumers describe as “as hard as a brick” – has also inspired a widespread trend of exploring traditionally tough-to-chew regional foods. Photo: SohuFor these young dieters, calorie counts have taken a back seat to the enjoyment of chewing while keeping consumption to a minimum.One individual even expressed his affection for dog chew sticks, which help alleviate his anxiety during exams. He reported spending up to two hours on a single stick, noting that it also aids in maintaining oral hygiene.Chewy Snacks represent just one strategy among young Chinese millennials seeking to lose weight, alongside opting for commonly consumed low-glycaemic index foods or “human food” – essentially diced and frozen meat and vegetables.These approaches are seen as healthier alternatives to extreme dieting strategies, such as severely restricting food intake. Some studies suggest that chewing can alleviate mental stress, while TCM principles advocate for thorough chewing and slow eating as beneficial for digestive health, ultimately enhancing metabolism.Further Reading