The Basics of a Macrobiotic Diet
August 7, 2009
The macrobiotic diet is based on the premise that the quality of food determines health and well-being of a person. The framework of this diet is having simple food that requires almost no processing.
Followers of this diet use traditional methods of cooking. George Oshawa developed the macrobiotic diet, as it is known today in the 1920’s.
The macrobiotic diet consists of classifying food broadly under the Chinese concepts of Yin and Yang. Yin the outward centrifugal force is related to sweet and passive. Yang, the inward centrifugal force is related to hot and aggressive.
The idea of this diet is to consume food in such a way that yin and yang are balanced. Therefore, any type of food falls into either of these classifications. The system avoids foods that are too Yin or too Yang. The foods that fall in the intermediary category are those most preferred under this diet plan.
It is believed that vegetables and whole grains are intermediary foods, not too Yin or too Yang. Therefore, they are favored in the macrobiotic diet. They are even considered neutral foods.
Grains include rice, oats, millets, and barley. Since they are neutral foods, they form more than half of the diet plan. While they avoid refined grains and flour, it is acceptable in smaller insignificant portions.
Vegetables follow whole grains in the macrobiotic diet and account for a quarter of the intake. Regular intake of vegetable- greens such as broccoli, collards, kale, and those in the pumpkin family including squash and even radish is recommended.
Beans, peas, and mushrooms may also be included in the diet. It is best consumed when lightly sautéed with unrefined oil or lightly steamed. Sesame oil is also recommended in the diet
The remaining part of the diet comprises of beans like chickpeas, lentils etc. Soups are another important part of the macrobiotic diet. Soups made of beans, soybean broth and vegetables are highly recommended.
Seeds and nuts may be included in the diet. Beverages in this diet include tea made from leftover cooking water or from roasted grains. Fish may be consumed in small quantities as part of this diet.
This diet is vey simple and makes almost no demands on the dieter. It only suggests avoiding artificial flavors, hot spices, sweets, and caffeine.
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