This service is only for foreign residents in Korea. Overseas residents are not eligible.
EN

English consultation available — No language barrier

한의사 추천 가이드
한의사 추천 가이드

Q. Many people eat low-calorie snacks when trying to lose weight. What would you recommend as a TKM doctor?

A.

There is no single right answer, but a handful of nuts or a cup of warm tea is better than processed sugar-substitute snacks. While satisfying cravings is important, the real key is calming 'false hunger' without placing a burden on your digestive system.

📝 Detailed Answer

To be honest, I've also gone through a bit of trial and error while dieting, trying various 'healthy' alternatives. Zero-sugar snacks are incredibly sweet and tempting, and their advantage is clear: they satisfy immediate cravings and provide a psychological sense of reward, which can help prevent binge eating and reduce stress during the early stages of a diet. However, there are precautions. Products loaded with artificial sweeteners can easily disrupt the gut environment. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), if these processed foods are consumed while the body is in a state of 'Bi-heo' (脾虛)—meaning the Spleen function is weakened—digestive power can decrease further, leaving the body feeling heavy. Furthermore, there is the 'memory of taste.' If you become accustomed to the intense sweetness of substitutes, healthy whole foods may taste bland when you eventually return to a natural diet, leading to a vicious cycle of seeking sweets again. Depending on the situation, you can use these snacks occasionally when cravings are unbearable. For daily habits, I recommend roasted nuts or warm ginger tea. 'False hunger' caused by the accumulation of 'Dam-eum' (痰飮)—metabolic waste and phlegm-fluid retention in the body—is much more effectively calmed by teas with warm properties. I encourage you to observe whether your body is truly hungry or if it is simply a craving. If you visit the clinic, I will examine your current digestive state and energy levels to help you curate a personalized list of the best snacks for your constitution.
#recommendation #pros-cons
Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Expert Verified

Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Chief Director

← Back to 한의사 추천 가이드

Related Resources

Useful Next Reads

Current page Many people eat low-calorie snacks when trying to lose weight. What would you recommend as a TKM doctor?

Continue with the most relevant guides and care pages.

Best Next Read Program

백록감비정

굶지 않고, 힘들지 않게. 표준 처방 태블릿으로 복용 설계(용량·시간)로 개인화하여 요요 없이 건강하게 체중 관리를 도와드립니다.

View program