Q. I've been eating nothing but chicken breast for my diet, but why do I feel like I'm actually gaining weight more easily over time?

Many people mistakenly believe that a strict high-protein diet, such as eating only chicken breast and sweet potatoes, is the fastest route to weight loss. However, the human body is complex. Prolonged high-protein intake places a significant burden on the digestive organs responsible for breaking down these nutrients. When nutrients are not properly absorbed, they remain in the body as residue; in Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is referred to as 'Dameum' (痰飮), or abnormal fluid accumulation and metabolic waste. This is particularly risky for individuals with 'Bi-heo' (脾虛), a condition where the Spleen's functional energy is deficient. When the 'Transportation and Transformation' (운화, Un-hwa) function of the Spleen—which distributes nutrients throughout the body—is impaired, you may feel heaviness and bloating. If this is compounded by 'Eohyeol' (瘀血), or blood stasis caused by poor circulation, you are likely to hit a stubborn plateau where weight does not drop despite low caloric intake. The key is not just 'what you avoid,' but whether your body is 'prepared to digest.' It is much more efficient to first assess your current digestive state and metabolic capacity, and then implement a customized diet and TKM prescription tailored to your specific constitution.