Q. I'm thinking about starting a diet shake or a meal management program. What approach do you recommend at a Korean medicine clinic?

To be honest, I've tried relying only on shakes in my younger days to lose weight quickly. However, I eventually felt a sudden drop in energy and experienced dizziness; it was a classic case of taking a shortcut that backfired. Shake programs are undeniably convenient. Calories are easy to track, and preparation time is minimal, which reduces the psychological burden of dieting. However, there are clear drawbacks. Since there is no chewing process, the digestive system can become sluggish. In the long run, this can lead to 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency/脾虛), where the function of the Spleen weakens, drastically reducing nutrient absorption efficiency. Furthermore, liquid-based diets often lead to hunger returning quickly, which frequently results in binge eating. In Traditional Korean Medicine, we look beyond simply eating less and ask, 'Why is the weight not coming off?' If metabolic processes are hindered by 'Eo-hyeol' (stagnant blood/瘀血) or 'Dam-eum' (accumulated phlegm and fluid/痰飮), you won't see efficient results no matter how much you starve yourself. Ultimately, the answer depends on your situation. While shakes can help if you need urgent weight control, combining them with herbal medicine tailored to your digestive power and metabolic state is far more effective for creating a sustainable, healthy environment. Let's determine together whether your body is ready for shakes or if you first need a process of clearing out waste and replenishing vital energy.