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. Why do I still get bloated and fail to lose weight even though I only eat 'diet snacks' from convenience stores that are low in calories?

A.

While convenience store diet snacks are low in calories, their high sodium and preservative content are the real culprits. Excess sodium causes the body to retain water, leading to edema (swelling), while additives disrupt your metabolism. This creates a cycle of 'sodium intake - water retention - poor circulation' that blocks weight loss. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), such stagnation can produce metabolic waste like 'Eohyeol' (Blood Stasis). Even choosing something like chicken breast jerky can lead to a puffy face the next morning due to these hidden factors.

📝 Detailed Answer

Many people fall into the trap of looking only at the calorie count, but the human body does not function like a simple calculator. Convenience store diet foods often contain high levels of sodium to maintain flavor and shelf life. In Traditional Korean Medicine, this issue is viewed through the lenses of 'Biheo' (Spleen Deficiency) and 'Dameum' (Phlegm-fluid). When you consume processed, stimulating foods, the Spleen—the organ responsible for digestion and nutrient transport—weakens (Biheo). A weakened Spleen cannot convert food into energy effectively, leaving behind sticky metabolic waste known as 'Dameum.' This Phlegm-fluid obstructs the circulation of Qi and Blood, causing the body to feel heavy and swollen. Eating these snacks late at night further exacerbates circulation stagnation, creating an environment where 'Eohyeol' (Blood Stasis or stagnant blood) easily forms. Essentially, while these foods wear a 'low-calorie' mask, they are actually dampening your basal metabolic rate. To truly lose weight and recover your metabolism, it is vital to prioritize whole foods over processed labels. If you find it difficult to manage your weight despite low calorie intake, it is worth examining whether you have an internal metabolic imbalance or chronic stagnation.
#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 Why do I still get bloated and fail to lose weight even though I only eat 'diet snacks' from convenience stores that are low in calories?

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