The singer explained why she adds olive oil to boiled eggs, but nutrition guidance suggests the combination works best as part of a more balanced meal.

IU has revealed one of her simplest go-to meals, and her unusual addition to boiled eggs quickly caught fans’ attention.

The singer and actress met fans on September 20 during stage greeting events for her concert films IU Concert: The Golden Hour and IU Concert: The Winning at a cinema in Yongsan, Seoul.

When a fan asked what she planned to eat for dinner, IU replied that she would probably have boiled eggs. After the audience reacted with surprise, she explained that she pours olive oil over the eggs and finds the combination surprisingly filling.

“If you drizzle olive oil over boiled eggs, you do not feel hungry all day,” IU said. “It is very satisfying, so try it.”

She emphasized that the olive oil was an important part of the meal, adding that including some fat appeared to help her stay full. IU also said that when she eats the combination in the morning, she does not feel hungry throughout the day.

Her comments were casual rather than a detailed diet recommendation, but they prompted interest in why eggs and olive oil may feel more satisfying when eaten together.

Why Boiled Eggs and Olive Oil May Feel Filling

The combination contains two nutrients closely connected to satiety.

Eggs provide protein, while olive oil supplies fat. Research has found that higher protein intake can increase feelings of fullness, although an individual’s response depends on the amount consumed and the rest of their diet. One randomized study indexed by the U.S. National Library of Medicine found that participants reported greater 24-hour satiety while following a higher-protein diet than while consuming a standard-protein diet.

Fat also slows digestion and adds energy to a meal. Olive oil primarily contains unsaturated fat, which is generally preferred over large amounts of saturated fat when consumed in moderation.

This helps explain why plain boiled eggs may feel more substantial after olive oil is added. The meal combines protein and fat, two components that can extend the feeling of fullness compared with a low-protein snack.

However, feeling full and receiving complete nutrition are not the same thing.

Is It Enough to Eat Only Eggs and Olive Oil?

IU did not specify how many eggs she eats or how much olive oil she uses, so the nutritional value of her meal cannot be calculated from her comments alone.

Boiled eggs and olive oil can be part of a healthy diet, but the combination lacks several components normally expected in a balanced meal, particularly fiber-rich vegetables, fruit and complex carbohydrates.

The UK National Health Service recommends eating a variety of fruit and vegetables, higher-fiber starchy foods, protein sources and dairy or suitable alternatives. It also advises choosing unsaturated oils in small amounts.

Someone who wants to try IU’s combination could make it more nutritionally complete by adding vegetables, whole-grain toast, fruit or another source of fiber. Individual needs also vary according to health, activity level, age and total food intake throughout the day.

IU’s comment should therefore be understood as a description of her personal preference rather than a universal weight-loss plan.

IU’s Diet Comments Have Drawn Attention Before

Public interest in IU’s eating habits is not new. As one of South Korea’s most recognizable singers and actresses, details about her meals, exercise and appearance regularly become online topics.

That attention also makes context important. A celebrity’s brief answer at a fan event does not reveal everything consumed during the day, nor does it show whether the meal was chosen for convenience, appetite, scheduling or weight management.

The latest conversation began simply because a fan asked what IU planned to eat that evening. IU responded with a meal she personally finds filling and encouraged fans to try the combination, but she did not present a complete daily eating plan.

Reducing the exchange to a “secret for staying extremely thin” could therefore exaggerate what she actually said.

IU Is Also Promoting New Music and Concert Films

The fan event came shortly after IU released her new digital single From This Star on September 10.

The release includes the double title tracks “From This Star” and “Dear My Crazy Soulmate,” both of which entered the upper ranks of major Korean music charts following their release.

IU has also been reconnecting with audiences through screenings of her concert films. The Golden Hour captures her landmark 2022 concert at Seoul Olympic Stadium, while The Winning documents her 100th solo concert, held at Seoul World Cup Stadium in 2024.

Her boiled egg and olive oil comment may have become the event’s most widely shared moment, but its appeal appears to come from its simplicity. It is an easy combination of protein and fat that may help some people feel satisfied.

It is not, however, a complete formula for maintaining IU’s figure, and it should not be treated as one.