Kim SaEun, the wife of Super Junior’s Sungmin and a former musical actress, has revealed her secrets to maintaining a healthy pregnancy without significant swelling. At 30 weeks pregnant, she has gained attention for weighing just 49 kg.
On August 19, Kim SaEun released a video on the YouTube channel ‘Shantokki,’ titled “Everyone asks me. The secret to not swelling up during pregnancy. How I managed swelling, blood sugar, and skin care from the beginning.”
Now nine months pregnant, Kim SaEun shared that her belly has grown significantly. She noted, “People around me often ask why I have so little swelling for someone who is nine months pregnant and how I managed it. While I do experience some swelling, it’s much less than what you would expect at this stage.”
Kim SaEun attributed her lack of swelling to diligent blood sugar management. She explained, “I worked hard to keep my blood sugar under control. Gestational diabetes can lead to strict dietary restrictions, so I started monitoring my blood sugar levels early in my pregnancy. I used a home blood sugar monitor to track my levels before and after meals.”
Diet management also played a crucial role in her pregnancy routine. Kim SaEun acknowledged that cravings for fruit can be strong during pregnancy, but she limited her intake to avoid raising her blood sugar. “Eating too much fruit can spike blood sugar levels, so I substituted them with small portions of watermelon or a piece of sweet candy,” she said.
Kim SaEun’s focus on blood sugar control is essential to preventing gestational diabetes. Uncontrolled blood sugar during pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects, large babies, and obesity, and can lead to complications during delivery. Therefore, managing blood sugar is crucial during pregnancy.
While fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals, excessive consumption can lead to weight gain or gestational diabetes. Experts recommend limiting fruit intake to about 200 kcal daily, choosing a variety of seasonal fruits, and preferring fresh fruit over juice or canned options.
Here are some recommendations for fruit consumption during different stages of pregnancy:
Early Pregnancy: Opt for fruits rich in folic acid, such as strawberries, tomatoes, oranges, kiwi, melon, and chamoe (Korean melon), to support fetal development.
Mid-Pregnancy: High-fiber fruits like apples, watermelon, peaches, bananas, and oranges are beneficial, especially when iron supplements cause constipation. Combining bananas and peaches can aid digestion.
Late Pregnancy: As the baby’s brain rapidly develops, choose low-calorie, nutrient-dense fruits like avocado, tomato, and citrus fruits. Vitamin C-rich fruits such as apples, strawberries, and oranges can also help boost immunity.
However, some fruits should be consumed in moderation. Persimmons, which contain tannins, can interfere with iron absorption, while overly cold fruits like pears and melons may lower body temperature.
In addition to dietary adjustments, regular, low-intensity exercise such as walking, swimming, and Pilates can help maintain normal blood sugar levels and prevent gestational diabetes.
