Q. Is it okay to eat diet ice cream? I'm curious about the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine.

I remember a time when I was lured by terms like 'zero' or 'low-calorie' and tried various products, only to realize it wasn't the best approach. While it feels satisfying in the moment, it often leads to bloating and dizziness shortly after. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we view diet ice cream through these stages: 1. Assessing Digestive Health: First, we must check for 'Bi-heo' (脾虛), or deficiency of the Spleen. For those with a weak digestive system, cold foods can diminish your vital energy (Qi) and significantly drop your metabolic capacity. 2. Accumulation of Cold Energy: Regardless of low calories, the cold property remains. When this 'cold energy' accumulates, it leads to the buildup of 'Dam-eum' (痰飮), which are metabolic waste products and phlegm-like fluids that hinder circulation. 3. Timing Your Intake: Instead of eating it immediately after a meal, I recommend enjoying a small amount only after your food has been sufficiently digested. 4. Balancing with Warmth: If you do eat ice cream, it is essential to warm your internals again with ginger tea or jujube tea to restore balance. Ultimately, what matters is not the numbers on the nutrition label, but how your body perceives and processes the food. Rather than absolute restriction, let's find a healthy way to manage your diet by observing your body's unique responses.