Q. I've been sticking to a strict chicken breast diet to lose weight, but why am I not seeing results and just feeling heavy and bloated?

Chicken breast is the quintessential diet food, and I understand the frustration of eating it religiously only to feel sluggish. Scientifically, protein has a high Diet-Induced Thermogenesis (DIT), meaning it burns more calories during digestion. However, an over-reliance on it can strain the liver and kidneys and disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to bloating and constipation. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we explain this phenomenon through a specific progression. First, the body enters a state of 'Spleen Qi Deficiency' (Biheo), where the digestive energy of the Spleen is exhausted by an unbalanced dietary load. Consequently, 'Phlegm-fluid' (Dameum) begins to form. When the body lacks the vitality to fully metabolize high-protein foods, they turn into sticky, stagnant waste known as Dameum. This waste obstructs the flow of 'Qi and Blood,' slowing down your overall metabolism and making your limbs feel heavy. The key is not just about 'what' you eat, but whether your body has the capacity to process it. If chicken breast feels like it is becoming toxic to your system, we must first restore your 'Spleen and Stomach' functions and clear out the accumulated waste. Rather than simply enduring the discomfort, focusing on metabolic circulation and internal balance is the more effective path to sustainable weight loss.