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한의사 추천 가이드
한의사 추천 가이드

Q. I'm planning to start a diet with soy milk or meal replacements. From a TKM practitioner's perspective, what methods or products do you recommend?

A.

Rather than searching for a specific product, it is essential to find a 'method' that aligns with your digestive capacity and constitution. I do not recommend extreme fasting or mono-diets. The key to healthy weight loss is first assessing your metabolic capacity and the status of internal waste (metabolic by-products) to find a personalized complementary approach.

📝 Detailed Answer

I have personal experience dieting on just chicken breast and soy milk; after a few days, I felt lethargic and dizzy. In short, it was an inefficient approach. Meal replacement products like soy milk have clear advantages: they are convenient and provide a quick source of protein, which helps busy professionals avoid skipping meals entirely. However, the drawbacks are equally significant. Liquid-based diets fail to satisfy the psychological and physical urge to chew, which often leads to binge eating later. Specifically, for those with a 'Spleen Deficiency' (脾虛, Bi-heo)—a constitution where the digestive system's functional capacity is low—excessive intake of soy or legumes can actually cause increased bloating and indigestion. Ultimately, the core issue is not which product is superior, but 'what my body is currently capable of absorbing.' If your body has an accumulation of 'Dam-eum' (痰飮, phlegm-fluid retention) or 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis), you will likely feel heavy and sluggish regardless of how well-planned your diet is. Therefore, I do not recommend specific products first. I advise you to first examine your current metabolic state. For instance, if your digestive power is low, it is more appropriate to incorporate foods with 'warm' properties to balance your system. If you visit the clinic, I can help you design a customized dietary combination tailored to your current physical condition.
#recommendation #pros-cons
Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Expert Verified

Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Chief Director

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