Cheat day

After some discussion, we decided to run the lunchbox business for only one month.

The four of us, including myself, didn’t have much free time, so we had to set a specific time frame.

Even though the goal and conditions were favorable, it was difficult for us to adjust our existing schedules, especially since we all relied on our appearances for work.

It was also hard to get all four of us together at once, so on Mondays, I discussed marketing strategies with Baek Woojin; on Tuesdays, I held menu development meetings with Joo Jiseung; and on Wednesdays, I worked on interior design plans with Cha Jichan.

Meanwhile, I had to keep up with my personal streaming, so I left the content review for the low-carb rice cooker entirely to Muk Eunji.

“Boss, the low-carb rice cooker has arrived.”

Muk Eunji showed me the package.

It was initially an item we got as a sponsorship offer, but since I wanted to check its performance, they sent us the product.

“We’ll need to cook some rice with it.”

It was just around lunchtime.

We could buy some side dishes and eat them with the rice.

“If we use the same type of rice, we can compare how much it raises blood sugar, right?”

“Yes. It’d be best to check your blood sugar before eating, and then compare it at intervals after the meal. Make sure you eat the same side dishes too.”

I wanted to perfectly align my pre-meal blood sugar, but it wasn’t that easy.

So, we decided to compare the blood sugar spikes between rice cooked in a regular rice cooker and the rice cooked in the low-carb rice cooker.

“I guess I need to go buy some rice and side dishes.”

“Are you doing it right away?”

“Yes. It’s lunchtime now, and Woojin is coming by in the evening, so I won’t have time later.”

Muk Eunji nodded.

I headed to the market, thinking about what side dishes to get.

I’d just need to get a small pack of 1 kg rice, and it would be nice if the side dishes came pre-packaged.

I wanted meat as the main side dish, but there were a lot of restrictions on cooking it inside the office.

While considering my options, I arrived at the market and spotted some good ingredients.

“Salmon sashimi looks good.”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t eaten fish in a while.

Salmon is not only delicious but also rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and amino acids, which are great for a healthy diet.

It’s incomparable to something like chicken breast.

***

Back at the office, I was about to open the delivery box when I suddenly had second thoughts.

I initially intended to just test the product, but since I was going to upload a review video anyway, it seemed better to start filming from the unboxing.

I took the low-carb rice cooker, still in its box, into the room and set up the camera.

“Hmm.”

“Do you need anything?”

Muk Eunji approached and asked.

“I was planning to film the test right away, but I haven’t written a script. I’m debating whether to just go ahead and film without one.”

“I’ve already prepared it.”

“What?”

Muk Eunji went to his desk and brought over a folder.

“A sweet as honey man. For our diabetic gentleman’s side dish?”

I looked up after reading the first line.

“Director?”

“The PR line plays on the dual meaning of your voice being sweet and your blood sugar level. It captures your essence well.”

He did a good job.

“…….”

The script outlined the review flow and organized the key information I needed to cover.

Though it didn’t have all the dialogue written out, it was enough to go straight into filming.

“When did you prepare this?”

“I figured you’d want to start filming right away, so I worked on it while you were out shopping. You’ve been busy these past few days, so I thought you’d need it.”

“Ah.”

“I wasn’t sure how you wanted to proceed or if the product would be any good, so I just laid out the basics. If you want, I can write out the dialogue too.”

“No, this is enough. You’ve prepared the review script well. Thanks.”

Muk Eunji nodded and returned to his desk.

Every time I get unexpected help like this, it lifts my mood, even when I’m exhausted.

It’s reassuring.

“…….”

Does my voice really sound that good?

I never thought much about it.

I’m starting to see our director in a new light.

I turned on the camera and microphone and began recording the review video.

“A sweet as honey man. For our diabetic gentleman’s side dish.”

Saying it out loud made me feel embarrassed.

I’ll have to edit this part out.

“As you all know, I have diabetes, so I usually eat brown rice instead of white rice. But sometimes, I really miss white rice. Then, this company reached out to me with their low-carb rice cooker.”

I tapped the delivery box and then opened it.

“The main factor that raises blood sugar is carbohydrates. So, this company claims to have developed a rice cooker that reduces carbs by up to 40%. Let’s see just how well it controls blood sugar. I’ll cook the rice and check my blood sugar after eating.”

The design wasn’t the most important aspect, so I briefly mentioned it before opening the rice cooker.

Inside, I found the components.

“Inside, there’s a measuring cup, a power cable, and the low-carb tray. This tray is the key part. It’s said that when the rice cooks, the carbohydrates collect in this tray. Depending on how much accumulates here, your blood sugar will be controlled. Let’s start by washing the rice.”

I gathered the camera, rice cooker, and rice, and headed to the sink.

“PD, could you help me with the filming?”

“Yes.”

Muk-ji picked up the camera.

After capturing the scene of cleaning the rice cooker, he pointed at me with his finger.

The experimental method is simple. We will compare the process of blood sugar changes by cooking the same rice, in the same amount, in the same way. If the rice made in a low-glycemic rice cooker has lower blood sugar levels than the rice made in a regular rice cooker, it means it’s effective, right? Then I’ll just scoop one cup of rice and wash it.

I showed the camera a measuring cup full of rice.

After that, I simply put rice and water into the rice cooker, added the sugar tray, and pressed the cooking button.

I set up a camera to capture the entire process until the rice was cooked.

I don’t want to get any unnecessary accusations of manipulation, so I’m thinking of speeding up the process of cooking rice in the review video.

I was tired, so I sat down in a chair and closed my eyes for a moment, and then I heard the notification sound that the cooking was complete.

When I opened the rice cooker, there was a lot of starch water collected in the starch tray.

I waited a moment to prevent the camera lens from fogging up and then captured the scene.

As per the instructions, cloudy water has accumulated in the tray. This seems to be a carbohydrate. I was worried that adding too much water would make the rice mushy, but I think this amount is just right.

I handed the camera to Mukunji and lifted the collateral tray with both hands.

Since the internal temperature was high from cooking rice, I had to protect my hands with a tissue and take it out.

The aged kimchi filled the screen with freshly cooked rice.

The rice turned out well. It looks just like any other rice.

I arranged three types of seaweed and namul, placed the salmon sashimi on the table, and put the white rice cooked in a low-sugar rice cooker in the middle.

Considering it’s a meal prepared in the office, it’s quite impressive.

I placed the camera installed on the tripod directly in front of the desk.

“I’ll check my blood sugar before having a meal.”

I took out the blood glucose meter.

I drew blood, put it on the test strip, and inserted it into the device, and soon it showed 129.

“My current fasting blood sugar is 129.”

To clearly show the numbers, I brought the device in front of the camera and displayed it.

“Then I’ll give it a try.” It’s been such a long time since I’ve had plain white rice, so I’m really looking forward to it!

I picked up the chopsticks but soon switched to the spoon.

Since it’s been a while since I’ve had white rice, I’m thinking of taking a big scoop with my spoon.

It doesn’t look much different from other rice dishes, but I’m curious about what makes it different.

“Wow.” Hoo.”

I scooped up a big spoonful of steaming rice and put it in my mouth.

It’s hot, and I’m breathing heavily, but it definitely feels different from regular white rice.

I swallowed the rice in my mouth.

“This definitely tastes different.” It doesn’t feel chewy at all. I wonder if it’s because the sugar has been depleted. Originally, if you chew rice thoroughly, it tastes sweet, right? That feeling is there again.

It definitely feels like the sugar has been drained out.

It gives a feeling of being healthier because it lacks the unique sticky texture of white rice.

It’s not that all the sugar is completely gone, so there is still some sweetness.

“Oh, this is really delicious.”

I never knew white rice could be this delicious.

If I have kimchi stew and fried eggs, I think I could eat five bowls.

No, I could eat that much even without any side dishes.

“White rice definitely tastes good.” It might not taste as good as rice cooked in a regular rice cooker, but are you going to eat mixed grains, brown rice, or barley? If you ask me if I want to eat white rice cooked in a low-carb rice cooker, I prefer this one. White rice can’t compare.

As I talk, I wonder if I find white rice delicious because I haven’t had it in a while, or if it actually tastes good.

“Just a quick question, since I’ve been on a diet for a long time, I haven’t had white rice in a really long time.” So it might taste good, so please keep that in mind.

Just when I was thinking it would be nice to have a control group, I spotted some aged kimchi in my field of vision.

“PD-nim.”

“Yes.”

“Could you taste this rice for me?”

I brought it up out of a fleeting desire, but immediately regretted it.

I made an unreasonable request to her, who is suffering from anorexia.

Mugunji blinked, pondered, and then spoke.

“Understood.”

“Yes?”

When I asked in surprise, the aged kimchi’s eyes widened.

No. I made a mistake. I know you’re sick, PD, but I momentarily forgot. It’s okay. Please forget it.

“Weren’t you also interested in including other people’s experiences?”

Yes. That’s true, but…

“It’s something I have to do, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

Mukbang picked up a new pair of chopsticks.

“No.” Really. You don’t have to do it sincerely. No, I would prefer if you didn’t eat it.

Staring at me blankly, they let out a slight laugh as if to say, “What the heck?”

I was staring blankly because I didn’t understand the situation, and then I said something unexpected.

“People have told me to eat something, but this is the first time I’ve heard someone tell me not to eat.”

Ah. I hope you enjoyed it. But they say forcing yourself to eat is not good.

It’s okay. I don’t reflect personal tendencies in my work.

It’s not a personal trait; it’s an illness.

Since I only knew the name anorexia, I did a bit of research after finding out that Mukji was suffering from an eating disorder.

It was a disease that could never be considered a mere disposition.

Mukbang picked up just a little bit of rice and put it in his mouth.

He chewed slowly, nodded, and then covered his mouth with a tissue. It seems they spat it out because they didn’t want to swallow it.

I don’t know if it’s fortunate or not.

“How is it?”

“That’s right.”

“Yes?”

“It’s been a long time since I had it, so I can’t really tell the difference.”

After thinking it over, he finally speaks up.

“How is it different?”

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“I asked because I didn’t know!”