Macrobiotic eating, originating in the Far East, is a lifestyle practice involving balanced energy and the natural order. Food is considered a healing force that provides nutrients for healthy organ function, immune function and energy balance. Macrobiotic eating offers simple principles to balance nutrition, reduce cravings for unhealthy foods and positively influence health, mood and energy.
Dietary Principles
Macrobiotics encourages basic dietary principles. Recognize foods as principal, secondary and pleasure foods while choosing from seasonal and locally produced foods. Practice moderation in terms of amount of foods and avoiding extremes in your diet. Consume the minimum of required foods and chew thoroughly.
Principal Foods
Principal foods provide basic sustenance. For at least 10,000 years, human diets have revolved around such staple foods as whole grains (rye, barley, spelt, wheat, wild rice and maize), beans and nonstarchy vegetables. These foods are high in nutrients and fiber. Additionally, they are low in sugar and animal fat. Principal foods should make up the majority of the diet.
Secondary Foods
Secondary foods--which contain essential nutrients, but should be consumed moderately--include animal proteins (red meat, pork, eggs, fish and poultry). Fruits, which are high in simple sugars, are secondary foods that may be consumed sporadically. Seeds, nuts, herbs and spices may be consumed as condiments. Dairy foods are not recommended.
Pleasure Foods
Pleasure foods are foods not normally recommended, such as candy, french fries or ice cream. These should be consumed minimally and according to health. Those in good health may enjoy pleasure foods in small quantities to ensure your desires are being met. While in the healing stage, consuming pleasure foods is not advised. As you practice macrobiotic eating, blood sugar is regulated, and cravings for unhealthy foods should occur less often.
Power of Five
The power of five is an ancient Chinese concept to add taste, variety and satisfaction to your diet and includes the five macrobiotic food groups (grains, beans, vegetables, fruits and animal products), texture, cooking styles, color and flavor. By increasing variety in your meal, you increase satisfaction. Add variety to meals by combining different foods and textures, such as watery and crunchy; diverse cooking syles, such as steamed or grilled; and various colors. Flavors enhance mealtime satisfaction, so include the five tastes (bitter, salty, sweet, sour and pungent) in your meals.
Reviews
Macrobiotics has been studied in relation to various disease states. The Program in Nutrition graduate program at Columbia University concluded in 2001 that a macrobiotic diet carries a reduced cancer risk, but scientific proof of macrobiotics as a therapy for cancer remains limited. According to the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, in December 2006, the macrobiotic diet left diabetes patients in better health, more vibrant, peaceful and energetic, concluding that macrobiotics can be an effective, alternative diet plan for diabetics.
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