Q. How should I approach a diet consisting of convenience meals like Subway or cookies from the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine?

I once tried to lose weight by substituting meals with sandwiches or quick snacks, only to find my energy drained while my body felt heavier. In TKM, we view this as the depletion of Jeong-gi (Vital Energy). When you ignore your constitution and focus only on calories, your body enters 'emergency mode.' Our clinical approach involves several stages. First, we must clear Dameum (metabolic waste or phlegm-fluid). If your internal 'drainage' is blocked, weight loss is difficult regardless of what you eat. Next, we address Biheo (Spleen deficiency). The Spleen is responsible for transforming nutrients into energy; if this function is weak, you will likely experience swelling and gain weight easily. If fat persists in specific areas, we look at Qi and Blood circulation, using acupuncture or herbal medicine to resolve Eohyeol (Blood stasis) or Giche (Qi stagnation). Finally, we tailor habits to your specific constitution—for instance, cold sandwiches can be detrimental to those with a 'cold' internal disposition. Stop the 'fruitless labor' of starvation; the fastest way to prevent the yo-yo effect is to accurately diagnose your body's state and follow a guided TKM prescription.