Q. I'm trying to plan a diet to reduce body fat; what kind of dietary plans do Korean medicine clinics usually recommend?

Many people fall into the trap of strictly eating only chicken breast and sweet potatoes, which often leads to dizziness and a significant drop in quality of life. The key is finding a dietary plan that your body can actually handle without excessive stress. From a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective, those who struggle to lose body fat often suffer from 'Dameum' (痰飮, phlegm-fluid retention) or 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, Spleen deficiency). Dameum refers to the accumulation of metabolic waste and fluids in the body, while Bi-heo describes a weakened Spleen function resulting in poor digestion and absorption. If you push a high-protein diet while in this state, your digestive system may become exhausted, leading to bloating and a feeling of heaviness. One of the primary advantages of a TKM-guided weight loss diet is that it focuses on boosting your vital energy (Qi) while facilitating the discharge of metabolic waste. However, you may feel psychological pressure to give up stimulating or highly seasoned foods, and it may take some time to adjust to the unique aroma and taste of herbal medicines. Because dietary recommendations must be personalized—some may need to reduce carbohydrates for faster results, while others may first need to prioritize foods with 'warm properties'—I suggest visiting the clinic for a comprehensive assessment of your current physical condition so we can design a plan together.