Q. Costco has so many diet foods; how should I choose what to eat to get the best results?

When visiting bulk stores like Costco, it's tempting to grab every trending health food, from chicken breasts to low-sugar sauces. However, consuming foods that don't align with your constitution can actually leave you feeling sluggish and heavy. From a TKM perspective, here is a step-by-step guide to planning a healthy diet: First, assess your digestive capacity. If you have Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛), suddenly introducing unfamiliar diet substitutes can lead to bloating and fatigue. You must start with portions that your digestive system can actually handle. Second, consider the state of internal waste. If you have an accumulation of Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum, 痰飮)—metabolic by-products that haven't been properly processed—your body may remain swollen and heavy regardless of how low your calorie intake is. In this case, focusing on improving circulation is more effective than simply eating less. Third, address stagnant blood flow. Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血) can hinder circulation and lower your basal metabolic rate. If this is the case, instead of relying solely on high-protein diets, incorporate foods with 'warm' properties to facilitate better blood flow. Finally, select ingredients tailored to your nature. Many frozen or highly processed diet foods can cool down the body. The secret is choosing foods based on whether your constitution is predominantly 'cold' or 'hot.' Ultimately, 'how your body accepts the food' is more important than 'what food you eat.' By understanding your internal state and tailoring your diet accordingly, weight loss becomes much more manageable. Please visit our clinic if you would like a personalized consultation to find the right balance for your body.