Q. Diet trends like tofu gratins are popular these days. What is the Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective on how to structure a diet for weight loss?

Before becoming a practitioner, I once followed a trending diet blindly, only to find myself dizzy and completely drained of energy. Through my own trial and error, I realized there is no such thing as a universal 'correct' diet—only a diet that is 'right for your own body.' From a TKM perspective, healthy weight loss requires the following systematic stages: 1. Assessment of Digestive Function: We first examine whether you have 'Spleen Deficiency' (Bi-heo, 脾虛). If your digestive power is weak, even a healthy tofu-based diet will not be properly absorbed as nutrients, but instead may remain in the body as waste. 2. Removal of Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum, 痰飮): It is crucial to clear out 'Dam-eum,' the viscous metabolic waste stagnating in the body. If you force a restrictive diet while your metabolism is sluggish, your body may actually feel heavier and more lethargic. 3. Resolving Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血): Clearing accumulated blood stasis is vital for improving circulation. This ensures that the energy derived from your diet is distributed evenly throughout the body, effectively activating your metabolism. 4. Personalized Ingredient Selection: Consider whether you typically prefer cold or warm foods. For example, while a tofu gratin may be healthy, those with a 'cold abdomen' should pair it with warm-natured medicinal herbs or ingredients to maintain internal balance. Ultimately, the core question is: 'Is my body prepared to process this food?' Instead of simply eating less, you must revitalize your internal energy and flip the 'metabolic switch' to achieve sustainable weight management without the yo-yo effect. I encourage you to visit the clinic so we can design a personalized plan together.