Q. I've been focusing on grilled vegetables for my diet; what is the recommended approach from a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective?

Even experts can make mistakes—I once focused exclusively on vegetables for health, only to end up feeling dizzy and exhausted. From a TKM perspective, a vegetable-only diet is not a one-size-fits-all solution. First, it is important to check for Spleen Deficiency (脾虛). If your Spleen function is weak and digestive power is low, consuming excessive amounts of cold or raw vegetables can further impair gastrointestinal function and slow down your metabolism. Next, we must consider Phlegm-Fluid Retention (痰飮). If unnecessary metabolic waste has accumulated in the body, the nutrients from healthy vegetables cannot be efficiently converted into energy and instead remain stagnant. Additionally, addressing Blood Stasis (瘀血) is crucial. When blood circulation is poor, nutrients are not delivered effectively to every cell, which can trigger 'false hunger' despite eating. Ultimately, the core is balancing proteins and fats according to your specific constitution. Rather than unconditional restriction, the most important process is finding the optimal dietary volume your body can actually handle. It is far more decisive whether 'your body can digest and convert the food into energy' than simply 'what you are eating.' Let's evaluate whether your current diet is truly compatible with your body or if it is inadvertently hindering your metabolism.