Q. I'm thinking of eating only chicken breast for my diet. As a TKM doctor, how do you recommend I consume it?

I once went through the struggle of eating nothing but chicken breast to lose weight, only to find myself feeling bloated, exhausted, and occasionally dizzy. The benefits of a chicken-breast-centered diet are clear: it is rich in lean protein and provides long-lasting satiety, making it ideal for preserving muscle mass during weight loss. However, the drawbacks are significant. Because chicken breast has a relatively cool nature and a tough texture, it can be taxing for those with poor digestive strength. Specifically, if you have Spleen Deficiency (Pi-Heo)—a weakened functional state of the Spleen—forcing too much chicken breast into your system can lead to the accumulation of Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-Eum), which are undigested metabolic wastes. This often results in a feeling of heaviness throughout the body. Therefore, I place more importance on 'how it is prepared' and 'what it is paired with.' Instead of eating it dry and tough, cook it until tender and pair it with lightly blanched vegetables or warm-natured ingredients rather than raw greens. Raising the temperature of the gastrointestinal tract is key to improving digestion and absorption. Ultimately, the answer depends on whether your digestive capacity can handle this diet. If you experience persistent gastrointestinal discomfort while eating chicken breast, please do not simply endure it. I recommend visiting our clinic to have your digestive health properly assessed.