Q. Can I trust diet foods sold at convenience stores? I'm curious why some seem fine while others actually make me gain weight.

I have also relied on convenience store meals during busy times, but I eventually noticed feeling sluggish and dizzy every morning. Through my own experience, I learned that you cannot rely solely on the 'calorie number.' From a Western medical perspective, artificial sweeteners and refined carbohydrates in processed foods increase insulin resistance. This means that even if you consume the same amount of energy, your body may shift into a constitution that stores fat rather than utilizing it. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is interpreted as the accumulation of 'Dameum' (痰飮)—viscous waste products that form when fluid metabolism is impaired. When additives in processed foods are not properly metabolized, this Dameum accumulates, blocking the circulation of Qi and Blood and causing edema (swelling). Particularly if you have a 'Bi-heo' (脾虛) condition—a deficiency in Spleen function—these foods can more easily lead to bloating and extreme fatigue. Rather than simply eating less, the priority should be restarting your body's metabolic engine. I can help you analyze your current metabolic state and determine why your body reacts sensitively to specific foods. Please feel free to visit the clinic for a consultation.