Q. I'm planning to eat braised chicken breast over rice for my diet; how should I approach this from a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective?

Many people blindly follow trending diets only to suffer from indigestion and lethargy. In Traditional Korean Medicine, we do not view 'chicken breast' as a universal diet food; instead, we examine the individual's physical state first. Here is how TKM approaches a healthy diet: 1. Assessing Spleen Deficiency (Bi-Heo, 脾虛): For those with a weak Spleen (the organ responsible for digestion and transformation), a strict high-protein diet can lead to digestive stagnation. To alleviate this, reduce the amount of rice and braise the chicken with radish or cabbage to ease the burden on the stomach. 2. Resolving Phlegm-Fluid Retention (Dam-Eum, 痰飮): When metabolic waste accumulates, even healthy foods are not absorbed efficiently, leaving the body feeling heavy. Adding warming ingredients like ginger or cinnamon to the braising sauce helps invigorate Qi and Blood circulation, facilitating the discharge of waste. 3. Managing Blood Stasis (Eo-Hyeol, 瘀血): Poor circulation often manifests as lower-body edema. Pairing your rice bowl with fresh wrap vegetables (Ssam) helps purify the blood and improve systemic circulation. 4. Establishing a Meal Rhythm: Eating at consistent times is vital. Irregular eating patterns lower your basal metabolic rate, which can ironically make your body more prone to gaining weight. The ultimate goal is 'balance tailored to your body.' Depending on your current digestion and tendency to swell, your diet should vary. If you visit our clinic, we can accurately diagnose your current state and help you identify the specific ingredients that best suit your constitution.