At the age of 43, Taiwanese artist Yen-Hsi recently revealed on the Chinese variety show “Our Daughter 2026” that she has been following an extreme eating regimen of only one meal a day to maintain her appearance on screen and combat her tendency for water retention. This topic has sparked widespread attention and trended on social media.
Following her divorce announcement with mainland Chinese actor Chen Xiao last year, Yen-Hsi has refocused on her entertainment career, leading to an increase in her visibility on various programs. During her appearance on the Chinese variety show “Our Daughter 2026,” she not only openly shared about her life and views on relationships after returning to single life but also exposed the dietary habits she has cultivated over the years to maintain her on-screen appearance.
Yen-Hsi disclosed that she tends to experience water retention easily, so she boosts her energy in the morning and throughout the day with just two cups of black coffee. She only consumes one meal in the evening, which is prepared with minimal oil and salt, minimizing meat and seasonings whenever possible. Her mother confirmed on the program that Yen-Hsi has a very small appetite, even when indulging in desserts, she only takes a couple of bites. Many viewers were surprised, joking that “her daily intake equals my one meal.”
Yen-Hsi’s “one meal a day” regimen has sparked mixed reactions. While many admire her discipline, others express concern about the severe lack of energy intake in the long run, potentially leading to the body triggering protective mechanisms resulting in the loss of mainly water and muscle, making rebound weight gain more likely.
In addition to her dietary habits, Yen-Hsi incorporates skincare through “oil nurturing” scraping massages and supplements with fish oil, calcium tablets, and digestive health aids to maintain her well-being. She stated, “I feel that I will definitely find ways to live healthier and take better care of myself.”
In the past, Yen-Hsi faced criticism for her rounder face shape during her role in the drama “The Romance of the Condor Heroes,” leading some internet users to jokingly refer to her as a “xiaolongbao” (soup dumpling). Despite the overwhelming public opinion and pressure, she has learned to address past controversies with humor, even self-mockingly referring to herself as the “Dumpling Queen.”
During an episode of the Chinese talk show “Tonight’s Joy Show” aired in February, Yen-Hsi humorously revisited the controversy surrounding the 2014 version of “The Romance of the Condor Heroes”: “For a while, everyone called me ‘Face Member’ instead of an actress.” Facing the nickname “xiaolongbao,” which revolves around appearance scrutiny, Yen-Hsi cleverly self-deprecates: “It’s okay, so what if I have two more ‘bags’ on my face? Who cares about some extra ‘bags’ for women?” By associating her insecurities with luxury handbags, she turns negative comments into a light-hearted topic, eliciting laughter from the audience.
Last year, Yen-Hsi and Chen Xiao simultaneously announced their divorce on their respective Weibo accounts, marking the end of their nearly nine-year marriage. During the promotion of the drama series “Sniper Butterfly,” in which Yen-Hsi starred, her plump cheeks were compared in a sharp manner to freshly cooked dumplings by the public. Therefore, when audiences thought her self-deprecation ended at “xiaolongbao,” Yen-Hsi suddenly introduced a “new meme”: “Recently, no one calls me ‘xiaolongbao’ anymore, they now call me ‘Dumpling King!'”
Regarding the transition from being called “xiaolongbao” to being dubbed the “Dumpling King,” Yen-Hsi playfully remarked on the talk show: “It’s fine, at least on Winter Solstice, everyone can enjoy my ‘face’ (salt).” She further quipped, especially for those living in the north, that whenever they celebrate a festival, they would think of her, mentioning both dumplings and buns. Dismissing the stereotype that women are made of water, she declared, “I, Chen Yen-Hsi, am made of carbohydrates!” She concluded with a witty statement, linking the label of a “sweet female lead” to the rapid rise of blood sugar from carbohydrates, subtly addressing criticisms of her acting skills while emphasizing her dedication and contributions.
Yen-Hsi revisited this topic during a recent episode of “Our Daughter 2026.” In the segment “Mother’s Appraisal Report,” she was asked about her favorite film or television work, and without hesitation, she chose the 2014 version of “The Romance of the Condor Heroes,” a series that had triggered external appearance controversies. She jokingly self-deprecated, saying, “Talking about this isn’t against the law, right?” Her candid attitude completely dissolved the long-standing “xiaolongbao” label that had plagued her for over a decade, demonstrating her ability to face past criticism with confidence and acceptance.
In addition to addressing appearance issues, Yen-Hsi also openly discussed the awkward age-related dilemma of being over 40 in the entertainment industry during the program. Particularly when talking about her divorce from Chen Xiao, she did not express resentment or blame, maintaining a gentle tone in her conversation. Yen-Hsi admitted to some regrets regarding the marriage but expressed no feelings of remorse, clearly stating that she does not currently have plans to remarry. She conveyed her focus on work and her relaxed approach to life, earning praise from netizens for her clear-mindedness and ease.