Q. When dieting, people say I must make sure to eat protein. Why is that exactly?

I’ve been there myself—once eager to lose weight, I skipped meals only to feel dizzy and drained. Later I learned my body was consuming muscle for energy. In modern medicine, protein builds muscle and slows post-meal blood sugar spikes, preventing insulin surges. From a Traditional Korean Medicine perspective, protein deficiency leads to qi deficiency (氣虛), a sinking of vitality, which often progresses to spleen deficiency (脾虛) with poor digestion and absorption. A weakened spleen fails to transport nutrients properly, leaving metabolic waste called phlegm-fluid retention (痰飮). When metabolism falters due to lack of protein, phlegm-fluid and blood stasis (瘀血) accumulate, making the body feel heavy and puffy. Rather than blindly cutting calories, it’s wiser to supply enough protein to keep the metabolic engine running. Digestion varies, so you don’t have to stick to chicken breast—find a protein source that suits your digestive capacity. I recommend assessing your current metabolic state before deciding.