Q. Doctor, I’m planning to start a diet and was looking at some commercial chicken breast brands. From a Korean Medicine perspective, do you have any recommendations on which ones are good?

I actually have a bit of an embarrassing story—I once ordered 100 packs of chicken breast for my own diet, only for them to sit in the freezer until I eventually gave them all away. It was quite a dizzying experience! From the perspective of a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) practitioner, let me break down the pros and cons for you. The benefits are clear: being high in protein and low in fat, it is ideal for maintaining muscle mass. It serves as an excellent nutritional source especially for patients with Spleen Deficiency (Biheo), who often feel lethargic and heavy. Above all, its convenience helps you maintain a consistent diet amidst a busy lifestyle. However, there are downsides to consider. Many tasty commercial products are high in sodium or contain various artificial sweeteners. These additives can lead to the accumulation of Phlegm-fluid (Dameum), which refers to metabolic waste caused by stagnant body fluids. In my experience, highly processed products often cause bloating and gas. It’s hard to single out one 'best' brand. I recommend choosing products with the cleanest labels—those with the fewest chemical additives and closest to the natural source. If you have weak digestion, try pairing the chicken with warm-natured vegetables to see how your stomach reacts. Finding a diet that fits your specific constitution (Chejil) and digestive capacity is ultimately the shortcut to preventing the yo-yo effect.