Zen Macrobiotic Diet

Focusing on eliminating unhealthy foods and encouraging the consumption of foods that aid the mind as well as the body, the "Zen Macrobiotic Diet," published by George Ohsawa in 1960, was the beginning of macrobiotic dieting in the United States. According to the "Gale Encyclopedia of Diets: A Guide to Health and Nutrition," the Zen Macrobiotic diet first attracted the 1960s counter culture movement, although the basic philosophy of the diet is older. While this diet may present some health benefits, it may also increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies. Consult your doctor before starting any new diet.

History

Decades before Ohsawa published his book, this Asian-inspired diet was popular in Japan for its reported ability to balance the mind and body, according to WHFoods.org. The original macrobiotic diet, inspired by Japanese educators in the early 20th century, was difficult to follow, consisting of only miso soup, sea vegetables and brown rice. Ohsawa recommended additional foods, and today the macrobiotic diet allows even more variety, although it is still a minimalist diet.

Food Philosophy

The Zen Macrobiotic diet consists of eating only locally grown foods to satisfy an environmental balance suggesting that foods produced in your immediate region are more beneficial to your health than foods imported from far away. Simplifying food preparation is also a tenet of the diet. For example, stir-frying foods in sesame oil is allowed, while cooking them in a microwave is not.

Zen Focus

According to the "Gale Encyclopedia," the Zen Macrobiotic diet focuses on the yin or yang value inherent in all foods. The dieter uses the balancing forces of foods, according to their flavor and warmth, to enhance his health and mental well-being. WHFoods reports that cold foods are yin in nature while hot foods are yang. Sweet foods are yin and salty foods are yang.

Typical Foods

Weight loss is possible on the Zen Macrobiotic diet because processed foods, which are often high in saturated fat, sugar and calories, are discouraged. Dieters may eat whole-grain products, such as oats, millet, brown rice, barley and wheat berries, if grown regionally. Soy products, fresh vegetables, beans and legumes, sea vegetables, fish, miso soup and nuts are permissible. The availability of these foods dictates what the dieter eats, so the macrobiotic diet changes from season to season.

Concerns

Despite claims that the Zen Macrobiotic diet promotes health, there are real concerns that this diet may not provide all the necessary nutrients. A 1994 study by the Department of Nutrition at Wageningen Agricultural University in the Netherlands concluded that breastfeeding mothers on a macrobiotic diet had insufficient amounts of vitamin B-12, magnesium and calcium in their breast milk. Children of these mothers experienced growth retardation, especially before 18 months of age.