Q. I'm planning my meals with diet lunchboxes and salads; how does your clinic approach dietary management?

Many people start with an overly ambitious diet of just chicken breast and salads, only to experience extreme fatigue and dizziness. This happens because the body is highly sophisticated; starving yourself or obsessing over specific foods can cause metabolic function to plummet. At Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic, we take a more holistic approach: First, we assess the level of 'Dameum' (痰飮), which refers to the accumulation of metabolic waste and fluids in the body. When these waste products build up, you may feel heavy and bloated even if you are eating very little. Next, we evaluate your digestive strength by checking for 'Bi-heo' (脾虛), or Spleen Deficiency. If someone with weak digestion suddenly switches to a raw vegetable-heavy diet, they may suffer from bloating and a lack of energy. We combine these assessments with herbal prescriptions to resolve 'Eohyeol' (瘀血), or blood stasis. By improving blood circulation, we ensure that nutrients are utilized as energy rather than being stored as fat. Finally, we design a customized meal plan adjusting the ratio of carbohydrates and proteins based on your constitution. For those with weak digestion, we recommend cooked vegetables, and for those with slow metabolism, we suggest foods with warm properties. More important than the 'tool' (such as a diet lunchbox) is ensuring your body is in the right 'state' to convert that food into energy. When you visit us, we will determine which stage your body is currently in and find the best path forward together.