Q. I've seen a lot of trending 'Starbucks diet recipes' lately. As a TKM doctor, what drinks or habits do you recommend?

I have personally experienced the struggle of following trendy diets; while they seem clean and efficient, they often lead to dizziness and a loss of vitality. From a general perspective, these low-calorie recipes are helpful for reducing immediate sugar intake and satisfying cravings. However, from the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), the impact is different. The primary concern is that most of these diet drinks are served iced. Habitually consuming cold beverages can lead to 'Spleen Deficiency' (Bi-heo, 脾虛), weakening the digestive system's function. When the digestive tract becomes cold, nutrient absorption drops and metabolic rates slow down. This environment also encourages the formation of 'Phlegm-Fluid' (Dam-eum, 痰飮), a buildup of metabolic waste. This explains why many patients ask, 'I'm eating so little, so why am I not losing weight?' Therefore, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. I personally recommend incorporating teas with warming properties. A warm drink that helps resolve 'Blood Stasis' (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血) and promotes circulation is a more reliable companion for weight loss than any trending recipe. Since the ideal drink depends entirely on whether you are sensitive to cold or have poor digestive strength, I suggest visiting the clinic for a consultation to determine which medicinal properties best suit your specific constitution.