Q. Can I eat cheese while on a diet? Why do some people say that cheese hinders weight loss?

In the past, I once mistakenly believed that cheese was fine because it is a protein source, only to find myself experiencing bloating and dizziness. Even as a practitioner of Korean Medicine, I experienced this firsthand. From a Western medical perspective, cheese is high in fat and calories. Excessive consumption can increase blood lipid levels and affect insulin resistance, which slows down the process of weight control. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this process is viewed through the concept of 'Dameum' (痰飮, phlegm-fluid retention). Dameum refers to sticky metabolic waste that accumulates when the body's fluid metabolism is obstructed. Greasy and 'heavy' foods like cheese interfere with the 'Yun-hwa' (運化, transporting and transforming) function of the Spleen and Stomach, making it easier for Dameum to accumulate. Particularly for those with a 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, Spleen Deficiency) constitution—characterized by slow digestion and easy fatigability—eating too much cheese creates a vicious cycle where undigested food stagnates in the body, further slowing down overall metabolism. Ultimately, the core issue is whether your digestive capacity can handle the fat content of cheese. Rather than cutting it out completely, I recommend assessing your current metabolic state and adjusting your intake accordingly.