Q. I've heard that eating lots of tomato dishes is great for dieting. From a Traditional Korean Medicine perspective, what is the best way to consume them?

To be honest, I once struggled with stomach issues because I strictly followed a diet consisting only of foods labeled as 'healthy.' It's a bit ironic that even as a doctor, I made such a mistake. While tomatoes are an excellent ingredient, they require caution in Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) due to their cold properties. First, assess whether your abdomen is warm. If you are in a state of 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, Spleen Deficiency/weak digestive function), eating raw tomatoes can further diminish gastrointestinal function and make your body feel heavy. For those with weak digestion, I strongly recommend cooking your tomatoes. Applying heat mitigates their cold nature and increases the absorption rate of lycopene. Lightly sautéing them in olive oil is particularly beneficial for discharging 'Dam-eum' (痰飮, phlegm-fluid retention or metabolic waste) from the body. Timing is also crucial. It is better to eat them during the day when you are active rather than late at night. Consuming cold foods late at night slows down blood circulation, creating an environment where 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis/congested blood) can easily form. Ultimately, a diet plan only achieves maximum efficiency when it is tailored to your body's internal temperature and digestive capacity. If you are unsure whether cooked or raw tomatoes are better for your current condition, please visit our clinic so we can determine the best approach for you.