Q. I'm curious about constitution-based diet methods. What is the process like?

Constitution-based dieting—I used to think 'just eat less' would work, but after some trial and error, I realized everyone is different. Here’s how it goes: 1. Constitution Diagnosis — At a Korean medicine clinic, you undergo a Sasang constitution test to determine if you are Soeumin, Taeumin, Soyangin, or Taeyangin. Factors like digestion, sweating, and bowel habits are assessed. After my diagnosis, I understood why previous diets failed. 2. Diet by Constitution — Taeumin tends to have strong liver function but weak spleen (biheo), so vegetables, seaweed, and brown rice suit them better than fatty meats. Soeumin often has spleen deficiency and does best with warm soups or steamed dishes instead of cold foods. Eating according to your constitution makes the body less strained. 3. Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture — If spleen deficiency, phlegm retention (dameum), or blood stasis (eohyeol) are present, diet alone may have limits. Herbal medicine can strengthen the spleen or clear phlegm, while acupuncture helps control appetite and reduce edema. 4. Lifestyle Habits — Exercise intensity varies by constitution: Taeumin benefits from active exercise, Soeumin from gentle stretching. Sleep and stress management are also key. 5. Regular Consultations — Visits every 2–4 weeks to track progress. It’s not about drastic loss but gradual body change through shared planning. The important thing is to let go of the idea that 'Korean medicine diet = expensive herbs.' Herbs help, but the foundation is constitution-appropriate lifestyle habits. It took me a while to realize that.