Q. I want to manage my diet using sandwiches like Subway. How does a Korean medicine clinic approach this?

Many people experience 'diet fatigue' or binge eating when they strictly adhere to salads or low-calorie meals without considering their body's needs. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), the core of weight management is not just the number of calories, but 'digestive efficiency.' Our clinical approach to a sandwich-based diet follows these steps: 1. Digestive Capacity Assessment: Patients with Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛) may experience bloating and lethargy if they consume too many raw vegetables. In such cases, we recommend lightly steaming vegetables or incorporating warm-natured medicinal herbs. 2. Accumulation of Waste: For those with an excess of Phlegm-Fluid (Dameum, 痰飮)—unnecessary fluids and metabolic waste—flour-based breads can hinder fluid metabolism and increase edema (swelling). We advise choosing bread types based on your current level of swelling. 3. Blood Circulation Check: If metabolism is slowed due to Blood Stasis (Eohyeol, 瘀血), weight loss may be sluggish regardless of a low-calorie diet. In this case, a prescription to improve blood flow is necessary alongside dietary changes. 4. Personalized Combinations: We help you select ingredients that replenish the specific 'Qi' (energy) your body lacks, rather than simply choosing the 'lightest' option. Ultimately, creating an internal environment where your body can effectively process food is more important than the specific menu choice. When you visit the clinic, we will first evaluate your current digestive state and metabolic capacity.