What four-step Korean-medicine approach is used when a tofu-stir-fry diet makes little progress?
Rather than relying on one food, the four steps assess phlegm-fluid and blood stasis, support weak digestive function, address qi-blood and protein intake, and establish constitution-specific maintenance.
Tofu stir-fry can provide protein, but adding one food or only cutting calories does not guarantee weight loss. First, assess phlegm-fluid retention (dam-eum) and circulation stagnation, described as blood stasis.
Second, support weak digestive and metabolic function (bi-heo) and check whether nutrients can be used as energy. Third, combine a protein diet such as tofu with qi-blood support without claiming that only body fat will decrease.
Fourth, adjust warm vegetables and cooking methods to whether the body tends to feel cold or hot, then maintain the changed eating habits. The order and intensity vary with responses, and the same result is not guaranteed.
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