Q. I'm told to eat only chicken breast for my diet; what is the recommended way to eat it from a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective?

Many people follow trending diets with great enthusiasm, only to suffer from bloating and indigestion. While eating boiled chicken breast is common, whether your body can actually process and absorb those nutrients is a completely different matter. Here is how to consume protein healthily from a TKM perspective: First, determine if you have 'Bi-heo' (脾虛), or a deficiency in the Spleen function. If your digestive power is weak, a sudden high-protein diet can place excessive strain on the gastrointestinal tract and lead to significant gas production. I suggest adjusting your cooking method. Instead of simply boiling frozen chicken breast, add plenty of ginger and garlic. The warm nature of ginger aids in the digestion of proteins and prevents the accumulation of 'Dam-eum' (痰飮), which are metabolic waste products (phlegm-fluid) in the body. Regarding vegetables, I recommend lightly steaming or blanching them rather than eating cold salads. When the body becomes too cold, blood circulation is impaired, which can lead to the formation of 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血), or blood stasis, ultimately resulting in a lowered metabolic rate. After consuming protein, a light walk is recommended to promote the circulation of Qi and Blood. This ensures that nutrients are delivered efficiently to the muscles and tissues rather than being stored as fat. The key is not to follow 'what others do,' but to find 'what makes your body comfortable.' If you experience persistent swelling or indigestion after changing your diet, it may be a signal from your body. Please feel free to visit the clinic for a professional constitutional assessment.