Q. I'm currently managing my diet using a calorie tracker. What approach does a Korean medicine clinic recommend?

Many people experience calorie obsession, relying on strict diets like chicken breast and sweet potatoes, only to find themselves exhausted and lightheaded. While calorie tracking is a useful tool for objectively monitoring eating habits, it has clear limitations: it cannot account for how your body actually absorbs and processes those calories. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is often related to 'Spleen Deficiency' (Bi-heo). When you drastically cut calories while your Spleen function is impaired, the body lowers its metabolic rate to conserve energy. Furthermore, if you have accumulated 'phlegm-fluid' (Dam-eum)—metabolic waste—or 'blood stasis' (Eo-hyeol) that obstructs circulation, weight loss may stall regardless of how little you eat. Therefore, I recommend focusing on your 'condition' rather than 'numbers.' You must first read your body's signals, such as poor digestion or severe edema. By restoring metabolic function through a diet and herbal medicine tailored to your constitution, your body will naturally utilize energy more efficiently without the need for forced starvation. There is no single 'right' answer, but if your current method feels overwhelming or you've hit a plateau, it may be time to check your body's metabolic engine. We are here to help you navigate that process.