Q. I've been buying diet-friendly foods from convenience stores. What is the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) on this?

Many people rely on convenience store salads or chicken breasts during busy times, but you may notice bloating or a sudden drop in energy. This is because matching a calorie number isn't the same as nourishing the body. From a TKM perspective, we approach convenience store diets through these lenses: First, consider your digestive capacity. If you have Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛), meaning your digestive function is weak, consuming only cold salads or raw vegetables can further impair your gastrointestinal function and actually slow down your metabolism. Second, minimize factors that induce Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum, 痰飮). The additives in processed foods easily create these unnecessary metabolic wastes in the body. When Dam-eum accumulates, you may feel heavy and experience edema, so I recommend snacks based on whole, minimally processed ingredients. Third, maintain warmth to manage Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血). Consuming only cold foods can stagnate blood circulation, leading to 'stagnant blood' or Blood Stasis. Even when eating convenience store food, it is crucial to maintain your core body temperature by pairing your meal with warm tea or broth. Finally, adjustments must be made according to your specific constitution (Sasang typology). While chicken breast may be beneficial for one person, it could cause indigestion for another. The key is finding the ingredients that harmonize with your own body. Ultimately, it is not just about 'what you don't eat,' but 'how your body accepts it.' If you are curious whether your current diet aligns with your body's natural flow, please visit the clinic for a personalized consultation.