Q. I'm eating low-calorie noodles and substitute foods for my diet, so why am I not losing weight?

Many people assume that simply swapping regular food for low-calorie alternatives will guarantee weight loss, but these processed substitutes often fail to activate the body's 'metabolic switch.' From a medical perspective, these foods can still cause fluctuations in blood glucose levels, stimulating insulin secretion, which creates an internal environment that inhibits fat breakdown. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this condition is viewed as the accumulation of 'Dameum' (痰飮, phlegm-fluid retention). This refers to a state where metabolic waste products are not properly excreted and remain stagnant in the body, obstructing the circulation of Qi and Blood. Furthermore, overly restrictive dieting can lead to 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, Spleen Deficiency). When the function of the Spleen—the organ responsible for digestion and nutrient transportation—is weakened, your body's ability to process energy drops. This often results in a constitution that is prone to swelling (edema) and chronic fatigue, even with minimal food intake. Therefore, the focus should not be on simply eating less, but on restoring your body's overall metabolic capacity. Rather than relying on substitutes, it is recommended to assess and improve your digestive function and circulatory system.