Q. Is a piece or two of fried chicken okay while I'm on a diet? Why does it feel like I gain weight so much faster whenever I eat chicken?

The temptation of fried chicken is incredibly hard to resist, but the reason we advise against it during a diet goes beyond mere calories. Greasy, fried foods weaken the Spleen's transportive and transformative functions. In TKM, this is known as Spleen Deficiency (Biheo); when your digestive energy is compromised, the body cannot fully process nutrients, leaving behind a sticky metabolic byproduct called Phlegm-Fluid (Dameum). From a nutritional standpoint, the combination of flour-based batter and oil triggers high insulin resistance, which can lead to Blood Stasis (Eohyeol), further obstructing systemic circulation. I often see patients who exercise regularly but struggle with weight because the 'Damp-Heat' (Seupyeol) from fried foods causes persistent edema or swelling. Ultimately, fried chicken doesn't just add weight—it pollutes your internal circulatory system. Our clinic focuses on clearing these accumulated wastes and restoring Spleen function to revitalize your metabolism.