Macrobiotic diets have been used since the beginning of the twentieth century. Throughout history, this term has been used to signify living in harmony with nature, eating a simple, balanced diet, and living a long healthy life.

A Japanese educator named George Ohsawa started the modern practice of macrobiotics diets in the 1920s. Ohsawa is believed to have cured himself of a serious illness by adopting a simple diet of brown rice, miso soup, and sea vegetables. At the core of Ohsawa’s writings on macrobiotics is the concept of yin and yang.

The macrobiotic diet, therefore, attempts to achieve harmony. Foods are classified into categories, according to their tastes, properties, and effects on the body. Grains and vegetables are emphasized in the macrobiotic diet as eating these foods is thought to make it easier to achieve a more balanced condition. The macrobiotic diet recommends whole grains. These include brown rice, barley, oats, corn, rye, whole wheat, and buckwheat. These foods should make up 50–60% of a person’s daily food intake.

Fresh vegetables should make up 25–30% of food intake. On a macrobiotic diet, it is suggested that, you consume such food items as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, , turnips, turnip greens, onion, acorn squash, butternut squash, and pumpkin. Other vegetables that can be eaten, usually two to three times per week, include celery, iceberg lettuce, mushrooms, snow peas, and string beans. Vegetables should be steamed or sautéed in a small amount of cooking oil (preferably sesame or corn oil). Beans and sea vegetables should make up 5–10% of the macrobiotic diet. The macrobiotic diet highly recommends adzuki beans, chickpeas, lentils, and tofu. Sea vegetables, include wakame, hijiki, kombu, and nori.

A few servings each week of nuts, seeds, and fresh fish such as halibut, flounder or cod, are allowed on the macrobiotic diet.

Fluid intake should be dictated by thirst. Only teas made from roasted grains, dandelion greens, or the cooking water of soba noodles is acceptable. Teas with aromatic fragrances or caffeine are avoided at all cost. All animal foods, including eggs and dairy products, are to be avoided. This also means no refined sugars, chocolate, tropical fruits, soda, fruit juice and hot spices. In addition, all processed foods containing artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives must be avoided.

Why do people follow this diet? There are many reports written about people who, lived with serious medical conditions and, saw dramatic improvements when using a macrobiotic diet.

. Although the benefits of the macrobiotic diet have not been studied extensively, the diet results of a 1993 study involving patients with pancreatic cancer show that, 52% of those who followed a macrobiotic diet were still alive after one year. Compared to only 10% of those who made no dietary changes.

The macrobiotic diet includes many of the factors linked to a reduction of cancers and heart disease. The diet is low in fat and high in fibre. It is also rich in vegetables and soy products.

Some experts do not agree with the limited number of foods allowed on the macrobiotic diet, but understand that a moderate approach to macrobiotics poses no harm. Experts believe that following a strict macrobiotic diet can create deficiencies in vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and iron.

Critics warn us that the claim that the macrobiotic diet can cure some serious illnesses has never been proved. But for now, plenty of evidence has shown that the macrobiotic diet has many health benefits. Of course, people with serious medical conditions should continue to seek the advise of medical professionals when considering making changes to their diet.

Macrobiotic Diet

South Beach Diet
Lose fat not muscle on the Zone Diet Advantage!
The Slim Fast Plan - eDiets.com

Information on this site is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or dietitian. Information and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

EZDietsolutions.com © All rights reserved