Q. Many people are using Subway sandwiches for dieting these days. As a TKM doctor, which menus or methods do you recommend?

I also occasionally have sandwiches when I am busy, and I have noticed moments when I felt bloated or lightheaded. In my clinical experience, many patients fall into the 'low-calorie trap,' inadvertently making their bodies too cold. On the positive side, Subway is great for consuming sufficient dietary fiber through fresh vegetables and maintaining nutritional balance by selecting your own protein. It is particularly advantageous for those practicing carbohydrate restriction. However, there are precautions. For those with Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛), consuming too many raw vegetables can lead to indigestion or abdominal bloating. Additionally, relying exclusively on cold-natured ingredients may lead to the accumulation of Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum, 痰飮)—a state where metabolic waste stagnates—which can slow down overall metabolism. The key is not just 'what you eat,' but 'how your body processes it.' If you typically have cold extremities or poor digestion, you need to be more mindful when choosing your bread and sauces. If you hit a weight-loss plateau that diet alone cannot solve, you may need a process to clear Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血)—turbid blood and waste products—to improve metabolic efficiency. I recommend determining your current physical state before deciding on a specific regimen.