I'm currently on a diet consisting mainly of boiled frozen chicken breast. Does a Traditional Korean Medicine doctor have any specific dietary recommendations?
While frozen chicken breast is an excellent protein source, it can be detrimental for those with weak digestion. In Traditional Korean Medicine, this is often diagnosed as Spleen Qi Deficiency (Biheo). Rather than relying solely on chicken breast, try incorporating warm-natured vegetables or alternative proteins like dried pollack and beef shank to prevent your body from becoming fatigued.
Many people, including myself in the past, attempt to lose weight by consuming large quantities of frozen chicken breast, only to face indigestion and physical exhaustion. While lean, it can weaken the Spleen and Stomach (Bi-wi) functions over time. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we call this Spleen Qi Deficiency (Biheo). When the Spleen's energy is depleted, it fails to transform food into vital energy, leading to the accumulation of 'Dameum' (metabolic waste or phlegm-fluid). This often results in the body feeling heavy or bloated rather than lean.
To prevent this, I recommend cooking chicken with warm-natured ingredients like ginger, garlic, and black pepper to aid digestion. Furthermore, it is crucial to rotate your protein sources with options like beef shank, dried pollack, or tofu. Relying on a single food source can lead to stagnant circulation, causing 'Eohyeol' (blood stasis) and a drop in basal metabolic rate. Ultimately, a successful TKM diet is about how efficiently your body burns energy; therefore, monitoring your digestive health is just as important as calorie counting.
Clinician review