Q. I'm finding it really hard to stick to my diet. Is it okay to compromise by coating chicken breast in frying mix and baking it in the oven?

I have been there myself—trying to survive on nothing but chicken breast only to eventually snap and eat a whole fried chicken in one sitting. It was a dizzying experience! (laughs) Through trial and error, I learned that mindless restriction is not the answer. From a TKM perspective, this 'compromise' satisfies your psychological hunger but leaves a physiological task for your body. Refined starches, such as those in frying mix, easily create Dam-eum (痰飮), a state where metabolic waste accumulates and stagnates in the body. Those with Bi-heo (脾虛), or a deficiency in Spleen function, often feel heavier and experience slower digestion after consuming such foods. Here is the roadmap for stabilizing your diet healthily: 1. Accept the 'Compromise Diet': Overly restrictive diets cause stress, which leads to the stagnation of Qi (氣). Start with what is manageable for you. 2. Gradually Reduce Refined Carbs: Slowly decrease the amount of frying mix or switch to whole-grain flour to prevent the buildup of Dam-eum. 3. Strengthen Digestive Function (Spleen and Stomach): By using herbal medicine to support the Spleen and clear Eohyeol (瘀血, blood stasis), your energy will circulate more efficiently, reducing excessive hunger even with smaller portions. 4. Personalized Metabolic Regulation: Through a constitution-based prescription, we can raise your basal metabolic rate, creating a body that can easily process a light 'fried' chicken breast. The most important thing is not just 'what you eat,' but 'how your body processes it.' When you visit the clinic, I will examine your current digestive state and constitution to find a dietary path that feels less like a struggle.