The Mediterranean diet is very popular lately; as a Korean, how should I approach it from a Traditional Korean Medicine perspective?

The Mediterranean diet is famous for its health benefits, but in Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we focus on whether your body is in the right state to process these foods. If you have Spleen Qi Deficiency (Bi-heo), consuming excessive raw vegetables or cold fruits can chill the digestive system and significantly lower metabolic function. For such individuals, a 'Warm Mediterranean Diet'—where vegetables are lightly blanched or sautéed—is a much better starting point. It is also necessary to clear Phlegm-fluid (Dam-eum), the sticky metabolic waste accumulated in the body. While the dietary fiber in the Mediterranean diet is excellent for this, a sudden switch to whole grains can cause digestive distress if you are used to refined white rice; I recommend increasing the ratio of whole grains slowly, starting from about 10%. Furthermore, managing Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol) is essential. To purify stagnant blood, you need high-quality fats, but you don't necessarily have to stick to olive oil. Local options like perilla oil or seasonal greens are nutritionally superb and often more comfortable for the Korean constitution. The secret to a successful diet is not a grand meal plan, but 'reaching an agreement with your body.' Through a clinical consultation, we can assess your digestive health and Phlegm-fluid levels to provide a customized dietary guide tailored to your specific needs.