Q. Many people choose roasted vegetables for their diet. As a Korean medicine doctor, what is your take on this? Would you recommend it?

To be honest, I've experienced the struggle of sticking to a vegetable-only diet only to give in to late-night cravings because I was still hungry. Roasted vegetables have clear advantages: cooking reduces their volume, allowing you to consume more nutrients, and the natural sweetness that emerges during roasting helps reduce the psychological stress of dieting. However, there are important considerations from a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective. We refer to impaired digestive function as 'Spleen Deficiency' (Bi-heo, 脾虛). For individuals with a weak Spleen, even cooked vegetables can cause bloating or excessive gas if consumed in large quantities. Furthermore, relying solely on vegetables can lead to a lack of energy, resulting in fatigue or dizziness. The key is not whether a food is 'healthy' in general, but whether your specific body can process it effectively. If you have a significant accumulation of 'phlegm-fluid' (Dam-eum, 痰飮)—metabolic waste in the body—it is more efficient to incorporate warm-natured ingredients rather than strictly sticking to vegetables. I recommend first assessing your constitution and current digestive capacity. Tailoring your diet to your body's specific state is the only way to manage weight healthily without the 'yo-yo' effect. If you have further questions, please visit the clinic so we can design a plan together.