Q. I'm planning to make something like a tofu gratin for my diet; as a TKM doctor, would you recommend this?

To be honest, I've had my own struggles with digestive issues in the past while experimenting with various 'health foods' during my own diet management. A tofu gratin has many advantages. It provides an excellent sense of satiety and delivers the essential protein needed to maintain muscle mass. Because of its texture, it is also great for satisfying psychological hunger. However, there is one point of caution. In Traditional Korean Medicine, if a person has 'Bi-heo' (脾虛)—a deficiency in the Spleen function leading to poor digestion—consuming cold tofu or excessive amounts of cheese can make the body feel sluggish. This can lead to the accumulation of 'Dam-eum' (痰飮, phlegm-fluid), which may cause bloating or a heavy feeling in the stomach. Specifically, those who find it hard to wake up in the morning or tend to swell easily may have stagnant blood circulation due to 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis). For such individuals, I recommend adding plenty of vegetables and using less cheese to keep the dish light. Ultimately, the answer depends on your body's reaction. If you feel comfortable after eating, it is an ideal meal. But if you experience bloating or indigestion, it may not suit your constitution. The most efficient way to diet is to tailor your meals based on an accurate understanding of your current bodily state.