Basics & Causes
Q. Why does everyone say I should only eat chicken breast when dieting? I'm curious about the actual principle behind it.
A.
Protein is a key nutrient that preserves muscle mass and provides satiety. The process follows a chain: protein intake → preservation of muscle mass → maintenance of basal metabolic rate → increased efficiency in burning body fat. Chicken breast is particularly effective due to its low fat and high protein density. However, those with weak digestive capacity may find their bodies feeling heavy if they insist on chicken breast alone.
📝 Detailed Answer
From a Western medical perspective, protein requires more energy to digest and promotes long-term satiety, making it advantageous for suppressing 'false hunger.' However, Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) views this differently. We refer to the body's ability to digest and absorb nutrients as 'Spleen-Qi' (脾氣). For individuals in a state of 'Spleen Deficiency' (脾虛), pushing a high-protein diet indiscriminately can cause undigested food to stagnate, leading to the accumulation of 'Dam-eum' (痰飮, phlegm-fluid/metabolic waste).
When Dam-eum accumulates, metabolism can actually slow down, and you may experience a feeling of bloating or puffiness. Ultimately, the more critical point is not just 'what you eat,' but 'whether your body can actually digest it.' While preserving muscle is important, you must adjust the type and amount of protein according to your digestive state to achieve a healthy diet without the yo-yo effect. Let's work together to assess your current digestive capacity.
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Expert Verified
Dr. Yeonseung Choe
Chief Director
Last reviewed 2026.05.13