Q. There are so many diet foods available at Costco; from a Korean Medicine doctor's perspective, are there any you recommend or things I should be careful about?

To be honest, when I visit Costco, I often find myself adding diet-friendly items to my cart because these alternatives can feel like a lifesaver when your options are limited during a diet. On the positive side, the accessibility is excellent. The abundance of low-sugar alternatives and high-protein convenience foods reduces the psychological burden of dieting, helping busy professionals maintain their nutritional plans without giving up. However, there are clear precautions. Products loaded with artificial sweeteners can easily irritate the gut environment. From the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), if these ingredients are consumed while one is experiencing 'Bi-heo' (脾虛)—a deficiency in the Spleen/digestive function—it often leads to indigestion and severe abdominal bloating. I have personally experienced this discomfort, so I understand how frustrating it can be. Furthermore, relying solely on processed diet foods can create an environment where 'Dam-eum' (痰飮)—the accumulation of metabolic waste or phlegm-fluid—builds up in the body. This can obstruct circulation, leaving you feeling heavy or dizzy. Ultimately, the core issue is not 'what you eat,' but 'how your body receives it.' What works as a miracle food for one person may act as a toxin for another. I recommend assessing your current digestive state and energy levels first, then tailoring your diet accordingly.