I use calorie counting apps a lot when managing my diet. Do you recommend using them long-term, or what are your thoughts on them?

I have also experienced the stress of logging every gram of food into an app; while it provides data, the pressure of the numbers can be overwhelming. Here is a balanced perspective from a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) standpoint. First, tracking provides objectivity. Many patients who feel they 'gain weight even by drinking water' often discover hidden culprits like snacks or sauces once they see the data. It serves as a great initial roadmap for identifying dietary habits. However, focusing solely on calories often leads to ignoring food quality. Your body reacts very differently to 500 kcal of processed sugar versus 500 kcal of a nutrient-dense meal. Chronic calorie restriction can lead to a state of 'Spleen Qi Deficiency' (脾虛). In TKM, the Spleen and Stomach are responsible for transformation and transportation; if their function weakens, your energy drops and your metabolism slows down, making weight loss harder. Furthermore, restrictive habits can cause the circulation of Qi and Blood to stagnate, leading to the accumulation of 'Phlegm-fluid' (痰飮)—non-physiological metabolic waste. This creates a frustrating scenario where you eat very little but still experience bloating and weight plateaus. I recommend using these apps for just 1–2 weeks to calibrate your awareness. Once you understand your general intake, shift your focus to your stomach’s natural satiety signals. Developing this internal connection is the ultimate key to preventing the yo-yo effect. If managing this balance feels difficult, we can work together to restore your metabolic health.