I've been eating mostly salads, like from Subway, for my diet. What is the recommended way to plan a diet from a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective?
Simply eating less or sticking only to raw vegetables can easily make your body too cold. In TKM, maintaining warmth in the digestive system is crucial to boosting metabolism. Rather than fasting or eating only cold foods, the key is creating a diet that your body can 'effectively burn' based on your specific digestive capacity.
I have experienced the exhaustion and dizziness that comes from following trendy diets myself, so I can tell you from experience: the ultimate answer is finding a diet that your body can actually handle.
First, when eating cold foods like salads or sandwiches, always pair them with warm tea or a warm soup. If your Spleen function is weakened (Spleen Deficiency/Bi-heo), consuming only cold foods lowers digestive power and stagnates your metabolism.
Be mindful of refined sugars in sauces and dressings. In TKM, these can create 'Dam-eum' (phlegm-fluid retention), which are metabolic wastes that make the body feel heavy and bloated. I recommend light dressings based on olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Furthermore, cutting out carbohydrates entirely can impair brain function, leading to an early burnout. Please maintain your energy by consuming a moderate amount of complex carbohydrates, such as whole-grain bread or brown rice.
If there is 'Eo-hyeol' (blood stasis) hindering circulation, weight loss will inevitably slow down. Drinking lukewarm water frequently helps purify the blood and discharge waste products.
Your approach to dieting should shift from 'what to remove' to 'how to ignite the fire in my body.' It will be far more efficient to first determine your current digestive state and constitution to create a customized meal plan.
Clinician review