Q. I'm planning to eat stir-fried tofu often for my diet. As a Korean medicine doctor, would you recommend this?

I have a personal anecdote where I struggled with severe indigestion after eating nothing but stir-fried tofu while trying to manage my diet; I let my ambition get the better of me and learned the hard way. From a nutritional standpoint, the benefits are clear. Tofu is a high-quality protein source that prevents muscle loss and keeps you full longer, effectively curbing 'fake hunger.' Since it does not cause rapid spikes in blood glucose, it is an excellent choice for weight loss. However, there are precautions from the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM). We look at digestive weakness as 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency). For those with diminished digestive and absorptive functions in the Spleen, overconsuming tofu—which has a cooling nature—can chill the abdomen, leading to diarrhea or dyspepsia. Furthermore, those with a significant accumulation of 'Dam-eum' (phlegm-fluid retention/metabolic waste) may feel a sense of heaviness in the body when consuming too much protein. Ultimately, the key is your individual constitution. While it is an ideal diet if your digestion is healthy, if you feel dizzy or experience a 'blocked' sensation in your stomach after eating, try reducing the portion or pairing it with ingredients that have warming properties. I suggest we evaluate your digestive strength together to customize a meal plan that works best for you.