Q. I can't avoid eating out while on a diet; what kind of menu do you recommend at a TKM clinic?

When choosing a menu while eating out, the core objective is to improve digestive efficiency and reduce the production of waste products. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), the accumulation of unnecessary metabolic waste in the body is called 'Dameum' (痰飮). When this increases, the body feels heavy and sluggish, making it harder to lose weight. First, I recommend warm soups or steamed dishes. Cold foods can further impair digestion, especially in those with 'Bi-heo' (脾虛), or a deficiency in Spleen function. Try warm, cooked options like Shabu-shabu or steamed chicken (excluding glass noodles). Second, choose 'whole foods' over refined carbohydrates. Grains and wrap vegetables are preferable to white rice or wheat noodles. Keeping blood sugar levels stable helps prevent the formation of 'Eohyeol' (瘀血), or blood stasis, which occurs when impurities remain in the bloodstream. Third, avoid overly stimulating seasonings. Foods that are too spicy or salty hinder fluid metabolism and lead to edema. Simply reducing the amount of seasoning can significantly lighten your body's circulation. Honestly, I also struggle with the temptation of stimulating foods during my professional social life. However, dieting becomes much easier when you know how to adjust your menu based on your body's condition. Please tell me about your food preferences during your next visit, and I will help you create a personalized dining-out list tailored to your specific constitution.