Q. I have a company dinner while taking herbal diet medicine. Is it okay to drink alcohol? How should I handle this?

As a practitioner of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), I understand that social obligations often make avoiding alcohol difficult. Alcohol is not only high in calories but temporarily impairs the body's metabolic capacity, hindering the effectiveness of your diet medicine. Depending on the situation, please try the following strategies: First, if you can avoid drinking entirely, simply mention that you are taking medication for health reasons. Filling your glass with water or sparkling water allows you to blend into the social atmosphere while protecting your health. Second, if you must drink, choose distilled spirits with low sugar content. Grain-based alcohols like beer or Makgeolli, and sweet cocktails, easily create a condition known as 'Dam-eum' (痰飮)—the accumulation of metabolic waste and phlegm in the body. For side dishes, avoid fried, spicy, or salty foods; instead, choose protein and vegetable-based options such as boiled pork (Suyuk), sashimi, or salads. From a TKM perspective, alcohol generates internal heat and can obstruct blood flow, potentially leading to 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血), or blood stasis. Those with 'Bi-heo' (脾虛)—a deficiency in Spleen/digestive function—may experience increased heaviness and swelling (edema) the day after drinking. The most important thing is not to give up after one night of drinking. Instead, restart your metabolism the next day with light walking and sufficient hydration. Do not be too hard on yourself; please let me know about your social gatherings during your next visit so that I can adjust your herbal prescription or management plan accordingly.