Hello! I am Dr. Choi Yeon-seung from Baekrokdam Clinic. I've personally experienced the fatigue and bloating that comes from relying on fast food during busy periods, so I know firsthand that it is counterproductive. Diets that focus solely on calorie counting while consuming processed foods are dangerous. Scientifically, the high glycemic index and additives in fast food trigger excessive insulin secretion, shifting the body into fat-storage mode rather than fat-burning mode. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we diagnose this state as Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo). The Spleen is responsible for 'Transformation and Transportation' (Yun-hwa), the vital process of converting nutrients into energy. Consuming greasy, processed food is like putting low-quality fuel in a high-performance engine; it eventually exhausts the system. When Spleen function weakens, it produces Phlegm-dampness (Dam-eum)—metabolic debris that clogs the circulation of Qi and Blood, significantly lowering your basal metabolic rate. This leads to Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol) and 'Cold Accumulation' (Naeng-jeok), a state where the body becomes cold and resistant to weight loss. Even if the number on the scale drops temporarily, your internal health is deteriorating. You may eventually develop a constitution that swells and gains weight easily. True weight loss should begin with restoring the Spleen's function and discharging Phlegm-dampness. Rather than starving yourself or relying on fast food, let's focus on revitalizing your body's natural energy.