Q. I've planned a diet centered around chicken breast for weight loss; what kind of diet do you recommend as a Korean Medicine doctor?

To be honest, I once blindly followed trending diets myself. By eating only chicken breast, I eventually suffered from bloating and skin breakouts—quite a trial, especially for a Korean Medicine doctor! Diets centered on chicken breast have clear advantages, such as maintaining muscle mass and providing satiety. However, this is not a one-size-fits-all solution. For those with 'Bi-heo' (脾虛)—a condition where the Spleen function is deficient and digestive power is weak—forcing a high-protein diet can lead to the accumulation of undigested protein residues, which turn into 'Dam-eum' (痰飮, phlegm-fluid or metabolic waste). This often results in a feeling of heaviness and dizziness. Furthermore, if you implement an extreme diet while in a state of 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis or poor circulation), your metabolism may slow down further. Eventually, the body perceives this as an emergency, which can actually shift your constitution into one that gains weight even after eating very little. Therefore, it is difficult to label one specific diet as the 'best.' If your digestive power is strong, a high-protein diet can be efficient. However, for those lacking energy or struggling with digestion, incorporating warm-natured vegetables and appropriate amounts of carbohydrates is far more beneficial. I recommend first assessing your current digestive state and then constructing a customized diet tailored to your specific needs.