Q. I keep binge eating when I'm stressed. What should I do?

I used to hesitate in front of the refrigerator myself when stressed. As a Korean medicine doctor, I learned through trial that trying to simply suppress binge eating often makes it worse. Stress creates Liver Qi Stagnation (肝鬱), which blocks the liver's energy and disrupts appetite control. I recommend four steps: 1) Recognize the urge: when it hits, say to yourself 'Ah, this is Liver Qi Stagnation.' This steps back from the fight-or-resist mode. Take three deep breaths to help release liver energy. 2) Constitution-based snack strategy: binge patterns differ by Sasang constitution. Soeumin (少陰人) have weak digestion and feel bloated after bingeing; warm ginger or jujube tea is soothing. Taeumin (太陰人) have a strong need to chew; prepare carrot or cucumber sticks. Soyangin (少陽人) tend to crave spicy foods; substitute with peppermint or barley tea when stressed. 3) Establish a meal rhythm: breakfast is crucial. Skipping it leads to Spleen Deficiency (脾虛), which destabilizes blood sugar and increases the odds of binge eating at lunch and dinner. The spleen in TKM transforms food into energy; when it weakens, weight regain and bloating follow. Regular meals prevent this. 4) Find alternative activities: research shows binge urges often fade within 15 minutes. Fill that gap with hand-focused actions—knitting, squeezing a stress ball, or similar—that allow Liver Qi to disperse through the hands, calming the appetite impulse. These small habits can gradually shift your constitution. If binge eating persists, consider visiting a clinic to check your constitution and spleen function. Don't force yourself to endure—there's no pressure here.