Q. Is it okay to drink diet or low-sugar beverages from places like Mega Coffee? Do you recommend them?

I have also had moments of giving in to cravings and trying these drinks. At first, they seem fine, but over time, they can distort your palate and lead to further difficulties. The advantage of diet drinks is clear: they provide a sweet taste that satisfies psychological hunger without causing a sharp spike in blood glucose, making them a useful bridge for those just starting a strict diet. However, there is a caveat. When artificial sweeteners are consumed continuously, the body becomes confused—it perceives a sweet taste but receives no actual energy. This can lead to a tendency to over-absorb calories when consuming real food. From the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this repeated imbalance can lead to Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛), which weakens digestive function and creates an environment where metabolic waste accumulates more easily. When these accumulated wastes turn into Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum, 痰飮), you may feel heaviness and bloating. Furthermore, if blood circulation is impaired, leading to Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血), you might find that stubborn body fat remains unmoved while your overall condition becomes sluggish. I personally experienced this struggle in the past when I relied blindly on fasting or sugar substitutes without understanding these principles. Ultimately, the key is situational use. Use them occasionally when stress is high, but generally, it is better to drink warm water or herbal teas to support the body's circulation. The start of an efficient diet is identifying your current energy state and understanding why you crave sweets. If you are curious, please visit the clinic so we can analyze your specific constitution together.