Q. I'm eating diet foods like chicken breast cream soup, but why exactly isn't it working and why am I not losing weight?

Many people fall into the trap of 'healthy-looking processed foods,' experiencing an initial drop in weight followed by a frustrating plateau and fatigue. From a Western medical perspective, refined carbohydrates like starches and thickeners found in cream soups cause rapid spikes in blood glucose. This triggers insulin, a hormone that inhibits fat breakdown and instead promotes fat storage, keeping your body in 'storage mode' despite the low calorie count. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is viewed through the lens of 'Dameum' (痰飮), referring to the accumulation of metabolic waste and phlegm-like fluids that remain in the body when circulation is impaired. For individuals with 'Bi-heo' (脾虛), or a deficiency in Spleen function (impaired digestive capacity), these processed high-protein and high-fat diets are difficult to break down. Instead of being absorbed as energy, they linger in the digestive tract as toxins. Ultimately, when the digestive system is overwhelmed, your overall metabolism drops. To compensate for the lack of usable energy, your body sends signals of 'false hunger,' leading to a vicious cycle of uncontrollable cravings. It is essential to first assess your digestive strength and metabolic state rather than blindly following trendy diets. We should determine whether these foods are actually compatible with your body's current capacity.