Q. I've seen the popular 'diet tuna ssamjang' trend online. From a Traditional Korean Medicine perspective, how should I eat it to get the most benefits?

Rather than blindly following trends, it is important to tailor your diet to your body's metabolic state. First, ensure you drain the oil from the canned tuna. From a TKM perspective, greasy foods can create 'Damp-Heat' (Seup-yeol) in the body, which leads to a feeling of heaviness and hinders the elimination of waste. I also recommend mixing in tofu or mushrooms to neutralize the sodium. While fermented soybean paste (doenjang) promotes digestion, excessive salt can obstruct the circulation of 'Qi and Blood,' potentially causing 'Blood Stasis' (Eo-hyeol) or stagnant blood. Adding mashed tofu or diced shiitake mushrooms reduces the salt content while providing healthy satiety. You should also select your wrap vegetables according to your 'Constitution' (Che-jil). For those with 'Spleen Deficiency' (Bi-heo) who have weak digestion, warm-natured perilla leaves or lightly steamed cabbage are preferable to cold-natured raw lettuce. Keeping the digestive system warm ensures that nutrients are properly converted into energy. Avoid cutting out carbohydrates entirely, as a lack of 'Qi' (vital energy) can lead to exhaustion and the yo-yo effect. Including moderate amounts of brown rice or oats is better for long-term weight management. Finally, chew your food thoroughly. Eating too quickly can lead to digestive stagnation and the production of 'Phlegm-fluid' (Dam-eum) toxins. Focus on sustainability and finding a preparation method that suits your individual health needs.