Q. I'm told to eat lots of protein, like chicken breast, when dieting. How should I plan my diet from a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective?

Many people follow trendy diets only to experience bloating and dizziness because the key to health is not how much you consume, but how much your body actually absorbs. At Baekrokdam Clinic, we approach nutrition through the following TKM principles: 1. Diagnosis of Digestive Function: We first check for 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency), a state where the Spleen's transport and transformation functions are weakened. If you have a weak digestive system, relying solely on chicken breast can strain the stomach and lead to the accumulation of toxins. 2. Removal of Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum): When 'Dam-eum' (abnormal fluid accumulation) is present, metabolism slows down. In this state, high protein intake may not contribute to muscle growth but may instead result in edema. 3. Diversification of Protein Sources: Rather than sticking only to lean meats, we recommend incorporating plant-based proteins like soybeans and tofu. Pairing these with specific herbal medicines that promote the circulation of Qi and Blood can significantly enhance absorption rates. 4. Management of Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol): Metabolic efficiency drops when blood circulation is blocked by 'Eo-hyeol.' Combining a tailored diet with acupuncture and herbal treatments to clear these blockages is far more effective for weight loss. The answer is simple: eat only as much as your body can currently digest. Rather than pushing your body with an extreme diet, the path to healthy, yo-yo-free weight loss lies in accurately reading and matching your diet to your body's current state.