Q. I've been sticking to a strict diet of only tofu and soybean paste for weight loss. How should I manage my diet from a Traditional Korean Medicine perspective?

I have personally experienced feeling dizzy and lethargic after blindly following trendy diets. Even as a professional, I went through trial and error, so I fully understand how overwhelming this process can feel for patients. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we caution against extreme fasting or mono-dieting. Specifically, if you have Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛)—a state of weakened digestive function—suddenly switching to raw vegetables or excessive low-sodium meals can trigger a 'survival mode,' significantly lowering your metabolic rate. At Baekrokdam, we approach weight loss through the following stages: 1. Digestive Assessment: We check if your gastrointestinal function is capable of efficiently converting food into energy. 2. Clearing Phlegm-Fluid (Dameum, 痰飮): We first clear accumulated metabolic waste (phlegm-fluid) to open up metabolic pathways. 3. Customized Meal Planning: While utilizing healthy ingredients like tofu and soybean paste, we add foods with 'warming' properties based on your constitution to increase core body temperature. 4. Managing Blood Stasis (Eohyeol, 瘀血): We treat blood stasis that hinders circulation to create an environment where fat burning occurs smoothly. 5. Gradual Habit Correction: Instead of extreme restriction, we adjust food intake to a level that does not stress the body. Ultimately, the key is not 'what to avoid,' but 'how your body absorbs.' As your director, I will work with you to establish a personalized guide. Please visit us so we can examine your current condition together.