3 Ways to Weigh Pros and Cons of the Macrobiotic Diet

1. How to Do It

The macrobiotic diet consists mainly of whole grains and vegetables. Meats, if included, consist only of fish a few times a week. Beef, poultry, dairy products and other meat products are strongly discouraged. Whole grains make up 50 to 60 percent of each meal. Miso soup, made with soybean, is eaten during the day. Soups should be at least 5 percent of the diet. Vegetables, especially if raw or simply prepared, should make up 25 to 30 percent of the meals. Steaming, sautéing and baking are all simple methods to prepare vegetables. Beans are a large part of the macrobiotic diet, as well. They should make up 5 to 10 percent of the diet.

2. The Good Stuff

The macrobiotic diet is low fat and high fiber. This is the type of diet that many health care providers recommend for those with chronic diseases. The high soybean content of the diet contains phytoestrogens. These phytoestrogens may reduce the risk of estrogen related cancers, such as breast cancer. This diet encourages high fibers and whole grains, which many people lack in their regular diets. Intake of fiber and whole grains lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity. It emphasizes using what is in season and locally available.

3. The Not So Good Stuff

The macrobiotic diet is very restrictive, which causes many concerns. When first developed by a Japanese educator, George Ohsawa, it was thought that simplicity was the way to good health. At that point, it consisted of ten stages, the final stage being brown rice and water. This is no longer part of the diet. There are still concerns that the diet doesn't consist of enough protein, calcium, B12 or magnesium, which are essential nutrients. A person following the macrobiotic diet may suffer from lack of energy due to the reduced amount of protein in their diet. Whole grains and fibers are hard to digest, so those with intestinal issues may suffer discomfort. Candida infections are common among dieters due to the lack of essential fatty acids and other vitamins.