Q. I'm thinking of eating only chicken breast and cabbage for my diet. As a TKM doctor, would you recommend this?

I completely understand the enthusiasm to start a strict diet. Even I once experienced dizziness and severe indigestion after sticking exclusively to chicken breast, thinking it was the only way to lose weight. From a nutritional standpoint, this diet is sound. High in protein and dietary fiber, it promotes satiety and is beneficial for blood sugar management. However, there are important considerations from a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective. The coarse fibers in cabbage and the dense proteins in chicken breast require considerable energy to digest. For those with Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛)—where the digestive function is weakened—this diet can be counterproductive. Forcing yourself to eat these foods may lead to the accumulation of Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum, 痰飮), causing the body to feel heavy, bloated, and swollen. Furthermore, sticking to a single, restrictive diet can slow down the metabolism for those with Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血), potentially leading to a weight-loss plateau much sooner. Ultimately, the core issue is not 'what you eat,' but 'whether your body can actually digest it.' I recommend checking your current gastrointestinal health and metabolic rate first. By adjusting your diet to align with your unique constitution, you will be able to manage your weight much more comfortably and sustainably.