Q. What is the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine on diet-friendly alternatives, such as diet pasta? I'd like to know how to eat these healthily.

From the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), a healthy diet is not about the numbers on a label, but about how your body processes what you consume. Many people experience bloating or dizziness with diet foods because they prioritize low calories over their actual digestive strength. To build a healthy diet, we follow these TKM principles: First, we assess 'Spleen Deficiency' (Bi-heo, 脾虛). If your digestive capacity is low, highly processed alternative foods can act as a toxin rather than a nutrient, further weakening your system. Second, we focus on removing 'Phlegm-Fluid' (Dam-eum, 痰飮). When metabolic waste accumulates, your metabolism drops significantly. In this state, simply swapping pasta for a diet version is inefficient; it is far more effective to use herbal prescriptions to remove internal dampness and optimize your metabolic environment first. Third, we manage 'Blood Stasis' (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血). If blood circulation is stagnant, nutrients from healthy diet foods cannot be delivered effectively to the tissues, leaving behind metabolic residue. An approach to clear the circulation of Qi and Blood is essential. Finally, select ingredients based on your constitution. Depending on whether your body type is 'cold' or 'warm,' you should adjust the types of oils and vegetables you pair with your meals. Ultimately, the key is not 'what you eat,' but 'how your body processes it.' Rather than relying solely on substitute foods, I recommend identifying where your body's internal circulation is blocked first.