Reviewed by최연승대표원장
I'm planning to manage my own diet for weight loss. Are there any key principles or precautions from a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective?
Avoid extreme fasting or relying solely on a single food like chicken breast. The core principle is to utilize energy while preserving the function of the Spleen (Pi), your body's primary digestive organ. Excessive restriction can trigger a 'survival mode,' potentially turning your body into a constitution that resists weight loss. The best strategy is to gradually empty the body while filling it with nutrients tailored to your specific condition.
Many people start their weight loss journey with extreme enthusiasm, only to experience dizziness and fatigue by eating nothing but chicken breast and sweet potatoes. When we restrict calories too drastically, the body enters a survival mode and lowers the metabolic rate to conserve energy.
Here are four essential dietary principles based on Traditional Korean Medicine:
1. Beware of Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo): When Spleen function is weakened, nutrient absorption drops and fatigue increases. Instead of sticking strictly to cold salads, incorporate warm-natured vegetables to enhance digestive power.
2. Eliminate habits that create Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum): Dam-eum refers to the accumulation of unnecessary waste products in the body. 'Sticky' foods, such as refined flour and processed sugars, create internal debris that hinders metabolism.
3. Incorporate foods that resolve Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol): If blood is turbid or stagnant, weight loss becomes difficult regardless of calorie intake. Mix high-quality proteins with fresh seasonal wild greens (namul) to promote healthy blood circulation.
4. Maintain a consistent eating rhythm: Irregular meal times disrupt gastrointestinal function, which often leads to binge eating.
Managing a strict diet while balancing a professional career is challenging. Rather than an unsustainable regime, I focus on finding a 'sustainable' method for my patients. For the most efficient results, I recommend visiting the clinic for a personalized guide tailored to your specific constitution and current digestive health.