BRD Clinic
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What is the Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective on a diet consisting of chicken breast seasoned with ramen powder?

While extreme restrictive diets may provide immediate weight loss, from a TKM perspective, they severely deplete your vital energy (Qi). Specifically, salty foods and processed additives lead to the accumulation of metabolic waste. Rather than simply enduring hardship, it is essential to assess your digestive capacity first and adjust your diet toward a sustainable approach.

I have personally tried many trending diets in the past, only to find myself trapped in a cycle of dizziness and binge eating. Through my own experience, I learned that such methods easily disrupt the body's overall balance. From a TKM perspective, this specific diet is risky for three primary reasons: First, strong seasonings and additives, such as those in ramen powder, are not properly metabolized and remain in the body as 'Dameum' (痰飮, phlegm-fluid retention). The accumulation of these wastes leads to edema and a feeling of heaviness in the body. Second, a monotonous and irritating diet can induce a state of 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, Spleen Deficiency), weakening the function of the Spleen. When digestive and absorptive capacity drops, you inevitably feel exhausted and lacking in energy. Finally, nutritional imbalances slow down blood circulation, making it easy for 'Eohyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis) to form. This causes the basal metabolic rate to plummet, eventually turning your body into a constitution that gains weight more easily. Therefore, I recommend the following approach: First, evaluate your current digestive state and energy levels. Then, gradually transition from artificial seasonings to meals flavored with natural ingredients. Combining this with customized herbal medicine to replenish deficient energy and boost metabolism will make the process much more efficient. Starving yourself or forcing yourself to eat tasteless food is not the answer. A diet can only be sustainable if your body feels nourished and healthy. Let us work together to find the most appropriate balance for your constitution.

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Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Dr. Yeonseung ChoeChief Director

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