Q. How should I approach popular diet meals like chicken breast spring rolls or gimbap from the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine?

Welcome. I am Dr. Choi Yeon-seung from Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic. I have personally experienced the struggles of a protein-only diet, so I understand the challenges well. Popular diets are not necessarily bad, but they must be 'tuned' to your physical state. First, check for Spleen Deficiency (Biheo, 脾虛). Chicken breast is protein-rich but dense and dry, making it difficult to digest. For those with weak Spleen function, consuming too much can lead to bloating rather than nourishment. Second, manage 'cold' energy. Raw vegetables in spring rolls and gimbap are cold in nature. If someone with a 'cold' constitution eats only raw vegetables, it can lead to the stagnation of Qi and Blood circulation. In this case, it is wise to pair your meal with warm ginger tea or a warm soup to maintain the stomach's temperature. Third, you must discharge Phlegm-fluid (Dameum, 痰飮), which is metabolic waste. If this fluid accumulation persists, you may experience swelling and slow weight loss despite eating 'clean.' Clearing these wastes with TKM treatments before starting a diet can significantly increase your weight loss speed. Lastly, if you hit a plateau, Blood Stasis (Eohyeol, 瘀血) may be the cause. When stagnant 'dead blood' blocks circulation, reducing food intake further is not the answer. Instead, it is smarter to use treatments that promote circulation to boost metabolism. Sustainability is the core of any diet; identifying your constitution first will help you reach your goals without failure.