Q. How should I choose diet snacks from stores like Olive Young from a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective?

I have personally tried almost every trending diet food in the past, but because they didn't suit my body, I suffered from dizziness and digestive issues. Speaking from experience, the first step is to evaluate your internal condition before choosing a snack. 1. Check Digestive Function: Those with Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛) often experience gas and indigestion when consuming snacks containing artificial sugar substitutes. You should prioritize whether the food sits comfortably in your stomach over whether it is labeled 'low-calorie.' 2. Check for Metabolic Waste: For those with a constitution prone to Phlegm-Fluid Retention (Dam-eum, 痰飮), additives in processed foods can further hinder metabolism. Dam-eum acts like 'physical residue' in the body; if this is high, you may feel heavy and sluggish regardless of how little you eat. 3. Assess Blood Circulation: When there is a prevalence of Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血), energy expenditure slows down. In this case, warm-natured teas or light nuts are more effective than sweet snacks for promoting blood circulation and boosting metabolism. 4. Gradual Substitution: Instead of quitting snacks cold turkey, try forming a habit of slowly replacing processed snacks with natural, whole foods. Ultimately, the correct answer varies for every individual. Once you identify whether you have Spleen Deficiency or Phlegm-Fluid Retention, your criteria for choosing snacks will become much clearer. If you are curious about your specific constitution, please visit our clinic for a personalized consultation.