Q. During dieting, eating out is unavoidable. How does a Korean Medicine clinic recommend choosing restaurant menus?

Based on my own social eating experiences, I initially forced myself to eat only chicken breast and ended up feeling dizzy and depleted. The real answer turned out to be sustainability. In Korean Medicine, each person's constitution and current state differ, so the approach to eating out should also vary. First, check for phlegm-fluid (Dam-eum, 痰飮)—a buildup of waste in the body. In this case, clear soups or steamed dishes are better than flour-based or fried foods, as it is important to first dispel dampness. If you have Spleen Qi Deficiency (Biheo, 脾虛), where digestive function is weak, raw salads can chill the abdomen and cause indigestion. Instead, opt for warm cooked meals like hot pot or beef bone soup (focusing on the solids). For Blood Stasis (Eohyeol, 瘀血) with poor circulation, heaviness, and edema, avoiding excessive salt is best—choose grilled dishes or wraps with leafy greens rather than stews. Simply changing the order of eating to vegetables, then protein, then carbohydrates helps control blood sugar spikes and brings early satiety to prevent overeating. Ultimately, the core of dining out is choosing in a way that does not torment yourself. Instead of stressing over selections, make small adjustments based on your body's current balance. For a detailed constitutional analysis, please visit our clinic so we can discuss it together.