Q. What is the Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective on trendy diet breads and low-sugar products? Is it okay for me to eat them?

I once struggled with bloating after following a trendy diet myself—even as a professional, I made a mistake! (laughs) Modern diet breads often utilize sugar substitutes and gluten-reduced ingredients. However, in TKM, these processed additives can contribute to the formation of 'Dameum' (痰飮, phlegm-fluid retention), a state where metabolic waste fails to exit the body and instead accumulates as a viscous residue. Specifically, for those with 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, Spleen Deficiency)—meaning a weakened Spleen and diminished digestive power—these alternative foods can be problematic. The body recognizes these synthetic substitutes as 'artificial' and struggles to process them, which can lead to feelings of heaviness and dizziness. Therefore, I recommend the following: 1. Assess your digestion: Check if your stomach feels comfortable or bloated after eating flour-based products. 2. Beware of the sugar-substitute trap: Even if the sugar count is low, consider whether artificial sweeteners are disrupting your gut microbiome. 3. Prioritize 'real food': Focus your diet on natural, whole ingredients rather than processed diet breads. 4. Check your circulation: If you have significant 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis), weight loss will be difficult regardless of what you eat. In such cases, improving circulation is more urgent than dieting. The answer lies not in the 'bread' but in 'your body.' Let's examine your current digestive capacity and identify where your circulation may be blocked.