Q. Do you recommend eating salads like Subway or following a strict diet plan? Or would it be better to combine that with herbal medicine?

Many people follow trendy 'standard' diets, but everyone's body reacts differently; some may even experience dizziness or fatigue due to an imbalance in energy. While the benefit of a healthy diet is clear—stabilizing insulin levels by reducing refined sugars and lightening the body—extreme restriction can trigger a 'survival mode' in the body. This lowers the metabolic rate and can lead to a constitution that bloats or gains weight easily after the diet ends. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this state is often viewed as Spleen Deficiency (脾虛), where the Spleen's function is weakened, hindering nutrient absorption and energy metabolism. If you simply restrict calories in this state, metabolic waste such as Phlegm-Fluid (痰飮) and Blood Stasis (瘀血) can accumulate, causing you to hit a weight-loss plateau much sooner. Therefore, I emphasize 'harmony' over blind adherence to a specific diet. I recommend using a healthy diet—such as fresh salads—as your foundation, while using TKM herbal medicine to boost your metabolic capacity and curb artificial hunger. This ensures a sustainable journey without burnout. The ultimate solution depends on your current state: whether your body is lacking essential nutrients or if your metabolism is blocked by accumulated waste.