Q. How should I start a constitution-tailored diet that's right for me?

A constitution-tailored diet in Korean Medicine starts from the observation that the same meal can cause weight gain in one person but not another. Sasang constitutional medicine divides people into four types: Taeyangin, Taeeumin, Soyangin, and Soeumin, each with distinct organ strengths and metabolic characteristics. For example, Taeeumin have relatively strong spleen and lungs, so they build muscle easily but tend to accumulate phlegm-fluid leading to abdominal obesity; Soyangin have hyperactive liver and gallbladder, often experiencing stress-induced appetite or gastric irritation. To begin, you should undergo a formal constitutional diagnosis at a Korean Medicine clinic. This includes pulse diagnosis (maekjin), tongue diagnosis (seoljin), abdominal diagnosis (bokjin), and detailed questioning (munjin). It is important not to self-diagnose, as constitution is an innate tendency that can temporarily shift due to lifestyle or illness. Based on your constitution, apply dietary principles: Taeeumin focus on light fish and vegetables, limit salt and fatty foods; if spleen deficiency is present, start with cooked vegetables. Soeumin prefer warm porridge, soups, and steamed dishes; avoid cold drinks and raw foods as they worsen spleen deficiency. Soyangin favor fibrous vegetables and seafood over greasy or spicy foods; eat small frequent meals to prevent hyperacidity. Taeyangin, a rare type with relatively weak kidney function, should reduce salt and consume diuretic teas like barley or Job's tears tea. Combine with herbal medicine and acupuncture. Herbal formulas target underlying patterns such as spleen deficiency (use tonifying herbs), blood stasis, or phlegm-fluid (use expelling and blood-activating herbs). Acupuncture on points like ear Shenmen or stomach-related points helps control appetite and improve circulation. However, claims of rapid weight loss from a few sessions are scientifically unsupported. Lifestyle adjustments: Soeumin should avoid intense cardio and do gentle exercises like yoga to preserve qi; Taeeumin benefit from strength training. Sleep before 11 PM, especially for Soyangin, as late-night activity raises stress hormones. Finally, schedule regular follow-ups every 4 weeks. The diet is not a quick fix but a process of rebalancing the body according to your constitution. Even practitioners may have struggled at first—patience and gradual adjustment are key.