Q. What is the difference between strict diet management (like eating Subway salads) and Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) dieting, and which one would be better for me?

Many people attempt to lose weight by strictly consuming chicken breast and salads, only to experience extreme fatigue and dizziness. This happens because while anyone can simply eat less, not everyone's body can handle a restrictive diet effectively. In TKM, this state is often viewed as 'Spleen Deficiency' (Bi-heo, 脾虛). If you insist on raw vegetables or very low-calorie diets when your Spleen function is weak, your digestive power drops and your body may actually hold onto water, leading to bloating. In such cases, instead of forcing a fast, it is more efficient to first normalize metabolic circulation by removing 'Phlegm-Fluid' (Dam-eum, 痰飮—accumulated waste) and clearing 'Blood Stasis' (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血—congested blood). Here is a comparison between calorie-restricted dieting and TKM management: | Category | Diet Management (e.g., Subway) | TKM Diet Management | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Core Principle | Caloric restriction & nutrient control | Enhancing metabolic function & constitutional improvement | | Advantage | Immediate control over calorie intake | Maintaining bodily balance through personalized prescriptions | | Limitation | Potential for indigestion or lethargy depending on constitution | Requires regular clinical visits and consultations | | Approach | Application of universal guidelines | 1:1 customized mechanism adjustment | | Goal | Reduction of weight figures | Creation of a healthy metabolic environment | If diet management is the process of putting in 'high-quality fuel,' TKM is like 'tuning the engine' so that your body can burn that fuel efficiently. I recommend checking the current state of your 'metabolic engine' first to determine the best approach for you.