Q. I'm busy—is it okay to just eat convenience store chicken breast bars for a meal? What would you recommend, Doctor?

When I first opened my clinic, I often found myself eating chicken breast bars in the corner of my office to save time, so I truly understand the struggle of busy professionals. From a nutritional standpoint, they are efficient and better than skipping meals since they provide a clear amount of protein. However, from a Traditional Korean Medicine perspective, there are significant drawbacks. These processed foods contain high levels of sodium and additives that can lead to the accumulation of 'Dam-eum' (痰飮), or metabolic waste products, in the body. Furthermore, eating cold processed food in a hurry can lead to 'Spleen Qi Deficiency' (脾虛), weakening your digestive function. If your digestion is compromised, your body won't properly metabolize nutrients, which can actually hinder weight loss. Use these bars as a temporary alternative, but try to pair them with warm tea to support digestion. Ensure your other meals consist of warm, unprocessed whole foods to prevent 'Sik-jeok' (食積), or food stagnation. If you continue to feel bloated or heavy, we should examine your digestive health more closely.