Reviewed by최연승대표원장
Can I still eat delicious home-cooked meals while taking weight-loss herbal medicine, or do I have to stick strictly to chicken breast?
Yes, you certainly can! Forcing yourself to eat only chicken breast often leads to binge eating due to a 'reward mentality.' Rather than extreme restriction, the most sustainable approach is to enjoy tasty meals in moderate portions that your body can comfortably digest.
Many people associate dieting with 'tasteless meals,' but in Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we prioritize boosting energy (Qi) and eliminating waste over indiscriminate fasting or restriction.
Specifically, those with 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, Spleen Deficiency/weak digestive function) may experience bloating and extreme fatigue if they suddenly switch to a diet consisting only of chicken breast and raw vegetables. Based on clinical experience, a 'delicious home-cooked meal' tailored to your individual body condition is the correct answer.
However, it is important to address 'Dam-eum' (痰飮, accumulated phlegm-fluid/metabolic waste) and 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis). When these are present, metabolism slows down, making it easier to gain weight even with the same food intake. Therefore, I recommend modifying your cooking methods: instead of frying or sautéing, try steaming or boiling. Focus on a Korean-style diet incorporating seasonal wild greens and high-quality proteins.
Ultimately, the key to weight loss is sustainability. Herbal medicine acts as a supporter to ensure your metabolism functions smoothly while you enjoy moderate portions of home-cooked meals. If you are curious about which specific ingredients best suit your constitution, please visit the clinic so we can design a healthy and delicious plan together.