Q. Do I have to eat only chicken breast while dieting? I'm curious about how diet plans are structured at a TKM clinic.

In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), how your body processes food is more important than the food itself. Here is how we approach dietary planning: 1. Assessing Digestive Capacity: We first check for 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency), a state where the Spleen's function is weakened. If you push a high-protein diet while your digestion is poor, it can cause gastrointestinal distress or leave you feeling lethargic. 2. Eliminating 'Dameum' (Phlegm-Fluid Retention): When waste products known as 'Dameum' accumulate, metabolism slows down. In such cases, prioritizing warm foods to stimulate circulation is more effective than simply increasing chicken breast intake. 3. Rotating Protein Sources: If you grow tired of chicken breast, try white fish, tofu, or boiled eggs. For those whose constitutions do not tolerate meat well, increasing the proportion of plant-based proteins is much more beneficial. 4. Adjusting Cooking Methods: Instead of eating proteins raw or simply steamed, stir-fry or boil them with warm-natured vegetables. The stomach must be kept warm for nutrients to be absorbed properly. 5. Addressing 'Eo-hyeol' (Blood Stasis): If blood circulation is blocked due to 'Eo-hyeol', diet alone has its limits. Using herbal medicine to clear the blood and boost metabolism makes dietary management much easier. Ultimately, the answer lies in a 'sustainable diet that fits your body.' At Baekrokdam, we will evaluate your current digestive state and constitution to find a dietary approach that doesn't require excessive endurance.