Q. I tend to buy a lot of diet foods in bulk from places like Costco. From a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective, how should I consume them to be most effective?

I recall a time when I stockpiled trendy diet foods, believing they were the ultimate solution, only to end up feeling dizzy and completely depleted of energy. In Traditional Korean Medicine, the process of absorption is considered more important than the specific food item itself. I recommend a step-by-step approach based on this perspective: First, check for Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛). If your Spleen function is weak, consuming excessive raw vegetables or cold protein sources will inevitably lead to indigestion and edema. You must verify if your digestive system is prepared to process these foods. Second, focus on eliminating Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum, 痰飮). Additives found in processed diet foods can easily create these metabolic wastes. When these viscous wastes accumulate, your metabolism slows down, creating an environment where weight loss becomes even more difficult. Third, resolve Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血). Extreme dietary restrictions while circulation is poor can exacerbate blood stasis, making the blood 'turbid.' It is essential to incorporate foods with warming properties to facilitate smooth blood circulation. Finally, create combinations tailored to your specific constitution (Sasang typology). While chicken breast may act as a tonic for some, it may act as a cold-inducing toxin for others. The key is to balance the heat and cold within your body. Ultimately, the answer is not a generic 'superfood' list, but finding the list of ingredients that make your own body feel comfortable. If you are curious about which ingredients suit your constitution, let's work together to find your optimal combination.