Balancing Your Health with a Macrobiotic Diet

What is a Macrobiotic Diet

Literally translated, macrobiotics means “great life.”  Physicians and philosophers from around the world have associated macrobiotics with living in harmony with nature while eating a simple and balanced diet.  In the 1920’s, George Ohsawa, who founded the modern form of macrobiotics, claimed to have cured himself from a serious illness by changing his diet.

Ohsawa believed in the Chinese philosophy of "yin" and "yang."  Yin and yang are always opposite, with yin being sweet, cold, and passive and yang being salty, hot, and aggressive.  In a macrobiotic diet, the yin and yang must be kept in balance for good health.

Because this balance is the core of the macrobiotic diet, foods are all classified as either yin or yang.  This division is in accordance with their properties, tastes, and effects on the body. 

Neutral Foods That Make Up 50-60% of the Macrobiotic Diet

Grains and vegetables are not predominant in either yin or yang and are considered neutral, or balanced.  Because they are neutral, grains and vegetables are important in the macrobiotic diet.  These neutral types of foods make it easier to maintain a "yin and yang" balance.

Whole grains, such as barley, brown rice, oats, millets, rye, core, buckwheat and whole wheat are thought to be the most balanced of foods in a macrobiotic diet.  Therefore, these foods make up about 50 to 60% of the macrobiotic practitioner’s diet.  Whole grains are the preferred type of grain in a macrobiotic diet, but small portions of bread and pasta derived from refined flour are acceptable.

Fresh Vegetables and the Macrobiotic Diet

Fresh vegetables make up approximately 25 to 30% of the macrobiotic diet.  Broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, collards, turnips, mustard greens, turnip greens, radish, onion, butternut squash, acorn squash, and pumpkin are the primary vegetables to be included in a macrobiotic diet.  Iceberg lettuce, celery, snow peas, mushrooms, and string beans are to be included in the diet only two or three times per week.  In a macrobiotic diet, vegetables are to be prepared by either being steamed lightly or being sautéd with unrefined cooking oil, ideally corn oil or sesame oil.

Proteins That Are Found in the Macrobiotic Diet

5 to 10% of the macrobiotic diet consists of sea vegetables and beans.  Chickpeas, adzuki beans, tofu, and lentils are the recommended types of beans.  Sea vegetables should be included in the diet.  These vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals.  In a macrobiotic diet, a few servings of seeds, nuts, and fresh fish (such as flounder, halibut, and cod) each week are acceptable. 

Preparing Food for the Macrobiotic Diet

Soups and broths make up about 5 to 10% of the macrobiotic diet.  Soups should contain a soybean paste.  They also should contain beans and vegetables.

Acceptable sweeteners in the macrobiotic diet are barley malt and rice syrup, the latter of which is a sweet drink made from rice.  Plum and brown rice vinegar may be used occasionally in the macrobiotic diet.  Tamari soy sauce and sea salt can be used to add flavor to soups and to grains.

Macrobiotic Drinking Habits

A person following a macrobiotic diet only drinks when thirsty.  The only drinks that are generally accepted in a macrobiotic diet are teas made from dandelion greens, roasted grains, or the leftover cooking water from preparing soba noodles.  Teas containing caffeine or aromatic fragrances are unacceptable.  All cooking water and drinking water must be purified before use.

Foods to be Avoided in a Macrobiotic Diet

Foods such as eggs and dairy products are thought to have strong yang qualities. Chocolate, refined sugars, tropical fruits, coffee, fruit juice, soda, and hot spices are believed to contain strong yin qualities.  These foods, which are strongly yin or strongly yang, are avoided in the macrobiotic diet.  Foods containing artificial flavors, artificial colors, and preservatives are also avoided. 

Conclusion

The macrobiotic diet is a lifestyle that embraces a simplistic diet bound closely to nature.  Because it is so strict, many people have difficulty sticking with macrobiotic dieting. However, it is almost impossible to become obese or suffer from clogged arteries if you follow the macrobiotic diet.

"Balancing Your Health with a Macrobiotic Diet" contributed by Urbain C. Beck