Q. Tofu diet recipes are trending these days; what is the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) on this kind of diet?

I understand the desire to follow trendy diets for health, as many of us have experienced digestive distress by doing so. Often, we only discover what truly suits our bodies through a process of trial and error. Here is how we approach a tofu-based diet from a TKM perspective: 1. Assess Digestive Function: We first check for 'Spleen Deficiency' (Bi-heo, 脾虛). If the Spleen is weak, even healthy tofu cannot be digested efficiently, leading to the accumulation of 'Phlegm-Fluid' (Dam-eum, 痰飮), which are metabolic waste products in the body. 2. Incorporate Warming Properties: Tofu possesses a slightly cool nature. Therefore, it should be paired with warming ingredients such as ginger, garlic, or chives to facilitate the circulation of Qi and Blood. 3. Resolve Blood Stasis: Diet alone may not be enough. If 'Blood Stasis' (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血) is severe, metabolism slows down, reducing the effectiveness of any diet. In such cases, light exercise or acupuncture is recommended to open up the circulation first. 4. Gradual Transition: Rather than an extreme 'tofu-only' approach, I recommend a gradual transition—slowly reducing carbohydrates while increasing the proportion of tofu. The core of dieting is not just 'what you eat,' but 'how well your body absorbs and excretes' it. I recommend checking your digestive status and metabolic capacity first.