As we learn from his book "The Macrobiotic Way," Michio Kushi understood over 40 years ago that improper diet was a principal cause of many illnesses. He began teaching how the macrobiotic diet, based on whole grains, beans and vegetables combined with exercise and a simpler lifestyle could relieve and prevent health problems and rejuvenate the body. Today he is recognized as one of the foremost authorities on macrobiotics.
History
Joshua Rosenthal in his book "Integrative Nutrition," teaches us that the modern macrobiotic movement began in the early 1900s with George Ohsawa, a Japanese dietary innovator who combined theories of Eastern philosophy with food and medicine. He cured himself of a serious disease by eating a simple diet of brown rice, miso soup, sea vegetables and other traditional foods. Michio Kushi, one of George Ohsawa's students, graduated from Tokyo University with an international degree in law and completed further studies at Columbia University in New York. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge of macrobiotics so much that he and his wife, Aveline, dedicated themselves to helping people shift to more healthful ways of eating and living.
Acceptable Foods
As Kushi explains in "The Macrobiotic Way," the diet is composed of whole, unprocessed foods with a concentration of complex carbohydrates. Additionally, it is thought that eating foods that are grown in the same area in which we live enables us to adapt more successfully to the changes taking place around us. Whole grains comprise about 50 to 60 percent of the diet, followed by locally grown vegetables at about 20 to 30 percent, beans and sea vegetables at 5 to 10 percent and soups at 5 to 10 percent. Another 5 percent is allowed for condiments and supplementary foods including beverages, desserts and fish which are allowed 1 to 3 times per week. Dietary fiber, as well as fermented foods such as miso, tamari and sauerkraut are considered to be important for the health of the colon.
Restricted Foods
Among the foods that are discouraged are dairy, meat, eggs, simple carbohydrates, refined sugar products, chocolate, coffee, hot spices and nightshade vegetables, such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant. It is suggested in "The Macrobiotic Way," that alcohol, along with most wine, is to be avoided while sake or rice wine, as well as fruit and vegetable juices can be consumed on rare occasions.
Yin and Yang
Macrobiotics is based on the ancient philosophical foundation of Yin and Yang. Yin is the name given to energy that has an outward direction that results in expansion and embodies the feminine qualities. Yang denotes energy that has an inward direction that results in contraction and embodies the masculine qualities. The dance of these two universal energies includes not only examples such as men and women and night and day, but continues on and on throughout creation. Regarding food, macrobiotic theory asserts that an imbalance of foods that are too yin or too yang can eventually lead to illness. For example, an excess of yang foods such as red meat, cheese and eggs can create an equal and opposite craving for yin foods such as sugar, alcohol, coffee or spices. It is believed that our bodies are always attempting to achieve balance in our physical, as well as our mental condition.
Exercise
Walking is thought to be an excellent form of exercise and is suggested as a daily priority. A series of stretching exercises are presented in "The Macrobiotic Way" that are similar to yoga postures. It is considered that walking and stretching, combined with a wholesome diet, are important aspects of the macrobiotic way.
Quality of Life
The macrobiotic lifestyle is one that desires to help us become happy and relaxed. Lifestyle suggestions are given, such as keeping our homes simple, wearing clothes that are made of more natural fibers, using cosmetic and cleaning products that are natural and less toxic, allowing time for prayer and meditation, appreciating nature, feeling grateful for all we have and working toward being on good terms with all people. In addition to the balanced diet and daily exercise, these suggestions are aimed toward a lifestyle that is designed to improve our quality of life and promote health and longevity.
References
- "The Macrobiotic Way;" Michio Kushi with Stephen Blauer; 2004
- "Integrative Nutrition;" Joshua Rosenthal; 2008
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