Why do I feel like I gain weight more easily when I eat pasta or noodle dishes while on a diet?
It is because refined carbohydrates are absorbed too quickly, causing a rapid spike in blood glucose and a surge of insulin that converts excess energy into fat. In Traditional Korean Medicine, this repetitive process often leads to 'Dameum' (phlegm-fluid retention), where metabolic waste accumulates. The core issue is not just calories, but a decline in your overall metabolic efficiency.
Many people experience bloating or lethargy after eating a plate of pasta, even if the portion doesn't seem excessive. From a physiological perspective, refined carbohydrates cause a sharp rise in blood sugar, triggering a massive release of insulin. Any glucose not immediately used for energy is stored directly as fat. When combined with high-fat ingredients like cream or oil, glucose levels remain elevated for longer, exacerbating this process.
In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this state is referred to as 'Dameum' (痰飮). This occurs when bodily fluids fail to circulate properly and instead condense into a viscous, waste-like substance. For those with a 'Bi-heo' (脾虛) constitution—meaning a deficiency in Spleen function and weak digestion—refined flour is particularly problematic, as it creates metabolic sludge that accumulates throughout the body.
If you feel that you gain weight even with small amounts of food, it is likely that your 'metabolic switch' is turned off rather than a simple matter of caloric intake. Before resorting to extreme fasting, it is essential to first clear out these stagnant wastes and restore digestive function to optimize your metabolism.
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