Q. I'm eating Subway as part of my diet; should I skip the cheese? I'm curious why it would affect my weight loss.

From a physiological perspective, the high saturated fat content in processed cheese can increase blood lipid levels and decrease insulin efficiency. When insulin cannot function optimally, the body tends to store energy as fat rather than burning it. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this state of metabolic stagnation is referred to as 'Dameum' (痰飮)—a condition where fluid metabolism is impaired, leading to the accumulation of viscous waste and toxins. Those with 'Bi-heo' (脾虛), or a deficiency in Spleen function (impaired digestive capacity), are particularly susceptible to this. For such individuals, a high-fat diet accelerates the accumulation of Dameum, resulting in bloating and a sensation of heaviness in the body. While a single slice of cheese is not inherently detrimental, these small dietary triggers can accumulate into a 'plateau' if your metabolism is already sluggish. Instead of simply counting calories, it is important to determine if your weight loss struggle is due to internal imbalances like Dameum or Spleen deficiency. Addressing these underlying metabolic issues will allow you to achieve a sustainable weight loss that makes your body feel truly light and refreshed.