This service is only for foreign residents in Korea. Overseas residents are not eligible.
EN

English consultation available — No language barrier

다이어트 기초·원인 이해
다이어트 기초·원인 이해

Q. Doctor, I mostly eat healthy foods like chicken breast spring rolls and kimbap, so why am I not losing weight?

A.

While choosing quality ingredients is a good start, your carbohydrate ratio and digestive capacity are far more critical for weight loss. Rice paper and the rice in kimbap can spike blood sugar levels, triggering insulin to store fat rather than burn energy. In Traditional Korean Medicine, this state is often identified as Spleen Deficiency (Biheo). When digestive function is impaired, even healthy food isn't converted into vital energy but instead turns into a pathological waste called Phlegm-fluid (Dameum), which leads to weight retention and lethargy.

📝 Detailed Answer

It is a common misconception that foods like Vietnamese spring rolls are inherently 'diet-friendly.' The hidden factor is the density of carbohydrates; rice paper is essentially compressed rice, and kimbap contains a much higher volume of rice than it appears. These high-glycemic ingredients cause insulin spikes, which halt fat decomposition and signal the body to store calories as fat. From a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective, this is closely linked to Spleen Deficiency (Biheo). The Spleen is responsible for the 'Transport and Transformation' (Yunhwa) of nutrients. When this function is weak, the body fails to transform food into energy, creating 'Phlegm-fluid' (Dameum)—a form of metabolic waste. This buildup obstructs the circulation of Qi and Blood, lowering the basal metabolic rate and potentially leading to 'Blood Stasis' (Eohyeol). In TKM, we believe that your body's capacity to process food is just as important as the food itself. Rather than simply cutting calories, the focus should be on restoring your digestive energy so your body can efficiently metabolize what you consume.
#cause-explanation #cause-chain
Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Expert Verified

Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Chief Director

← Back to 다이어트 기초·원인 이해

Related Resources

Useful Next Reads

Current page Doctor, I mostly eat healthy foods like chicken breast spring rolls and kimbap, so why am I not losing weight?

Continue with the most relevant guides and care pages.

Best Next Read Program

백록감비정

굶지 않고, 힘들지 않게. 표준 처방 태블릿으로 복용 설계(용량·시간)로 개인화하여 요요 없이 건강하게 체중 관리를 도와드립니다.

View program