Q. I'm often told to eat tofu when I'm on a diet. How exactly does it help with weight loss and what effect does it have on the body?

Managing a daily diet can be quite overwhelming, but tofu is often called a 'cheat key' for weight loss for several good reasons. From a Western medical perspective, its rich plant-based protein is easy to digest and helps trigger satiety hormones, which effectively silences 'false hunger.' It also has a low glycemic index, meaning it raises blood sugar much slower than carbohydrates, keeping insulin levels stable and preventing fat storage. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), tofu is highly valued for breaking the cycle of Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo) and Damp-phlegm (Seup-dam). When the Spleen's digestive function is impaired (Bi-heo), the body creates 'Damp-phlegm'—unnecessary metabolic waste that often results in a stubborn, hard-to-lose constitution. Soybeans, the base of tofu, are neutral in nature and help tonify Qi while flushing out 'Water Toxin (Su-dok)'—the excess moisture that obstructs metabolism. Essentially, tofu acts as a purifying agent that nourishes the body while clearing out internal waste. Instead of simply restricting calories, incorporating tofu to restart your body's circulation system and reduce swelling is a much more effective and sustainable approach to weight management.