Q. I tend to binge eat when I'm stressed. How can I resolve this?

In Korean Medicine, this pattern is described as 'liver qi stagnation with spleen deficiency' (肝鬱脾虛). Stress blocks the smooth flow of liver qi, which then impairs the spleen—the organ responsible for digestion and energy production. That's why you feel bloated yet keep reaching for food, especially sweets or carbs: the spleen is desperately trying to replenish energy. Instead of simply restricting your diet, first examine your patterns: What emotion triggers the binge (anger, anxiety, lethargy)? Do you feel numb rather than remorseful after binge eating? Do you often have digestive issues like frequent burping, loose stools, or a white-coated tongue? Do you have trouble falling or staying asleep? If you answer yes to two or more of these, the root cause is likely an imbalance in qi, blood, and organ harmony rather than a simple eating habit. Korean Medicine treatments include acupuncture and herbal formulas that soothe the liver and tonify the spleen—not by directly suppressing stress hormones, but by helping the body restore its own balance. As a self-care practice, try five minutes of deep belly breathing before meals or eating vegetables first for the first three minutes. Don't aim for perfection: if you binge one less time today, you're doing well.