Q. I've been eating diet snacks and bulk protein products from stores like Costco because they're supposed to be healthy. Why does it feel like I'm not losing any weight?

Many people find comfort in filling their carts with items labeled 'diet,' but it is important to recognize that these are often ultra-processed foods. While Western medicine points to how artificial sweeteners disrupt gut microbiota and worsen insulin resistance, Traditional Korean Medicine views this through the lens of Spleen Deficiency (脾虛). The Spleen is the primary organ responsible for transforming food into vital energy. When it is constantly bombarded with artificial ingredients and processed goods, the 'metabolic engine' becomes overloaded and stalls. This failure to process food properly results in the accumulation of Phlegm-fluid (痰飮) and Blood Stasis (瘀血)—sticky, stagnant waste products that make the body feel heavy and swollen even if you aren't eating 'fattening' foods. Think of it as a car engine clogged with old, thick oil; no matter how much fuel you save, the car won't run efficiently. The priority should not be the calorie count, but rather whether the food is 'biologically recognizable' and processable by your body. Restoring the Spleen System (脾系) with whole, seasonal ingredients is more effective for sustainable weight loss than relying on processed supplements. When your Qi flows without obstruction, your body will naturally return to its optimal weight.