Q. I occasionally have cheating days or eat forbidden foods while dieting. How should I manage my health in these situations?

As a practitioner, I also have moments where I succumb to delicious food; it is a very human experience. The most dangerous response to overeating is 'complete fasting,' as the body may perceive it as a starvation state, causing your metabolic rate to drop significantly. At Baekrokdam, we manage these situations using the following TKM principles: First, we focus on removing 'Dameum' (phlegm-fluid retention). Overeating leads to the accumulation of Dameum—unnecessary metabolic waste—which makes the body feel heavy and bloated. Light walking or drinking warm teas can help facilitate circulation and discharge these wastes. Second, we address 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency). If your digestive capacity is weak due to Spleen Deficiency, a sudden surge in food intake overloads the gastrointestinal tract. Instead of starving yourself, soothe your stomach with easily digestible foods. Third, managing 'Eohyeol' (blood stasis) is crucial. High-fat diets can make the blood 'turbid,' leading to blood stasis. Utilizing appropriate herbal prescriptions or acupuncture to promote blood flow can effectively boost your metabolic speed again. Lastly, a psychological reset is necessary. Stressing over a 'failed' diet triggers hormones that actually increase appetite. Instead, tell yourself, 'I have recharged my energy; now it is time to burn it.' Dieting is not about perfection, but about how quickly you can recover. If you find it difficult to regain control on your own, please visit our clinic to check your physical condition.