Legendary singer, John Lennon, and his wife, Yoko Ono, followed a macrobiotic diet in the years preceding the singer's death, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia of Diets: A Guide to Health and Nutrition." Popularized in the 1960s with the release of George Ohsawa's book, "Zen Macrobiotics," this diet combines minimalist eating with a touch of Asian philosophy. Because a macrobiotic diet may not provide adequate nutrition, consult your doctor about the wisdom of following such a diet.
Purpose
Adherents of macrobiotic diets use foods to enhance their holistic beliefs, in addition to promoting health, according to the Department of Psychology at Vanderbilt University. The dieter consumes mostly organic foods and employs simple cooking methods. Macrobiotic diets at the beginning of the 20th century were sparse, consisting of little more than miso soup, brown rice and sea vegetables. Today's macrobiotic meal plans include more food varieties.
Allowable Foods
A macrobiotic dieter may eat whole grain products, prepared with wheat berries, whole oats, millet, brown rice and barley, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia." Dieters eat cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables, as well as root vegetables. Dieters may eat dried beans, legumes and soy products. Small amounts of white fish are on the macrobiotic diet, but limited to three meals per week. Unlike many diets that promote drinking lots of water, dieters on a macrobiotic diet drink only when thirsty.
Discouraged Foods
All processed foods, red meat, eggs, sugary treats, pastries, most dairy products and poultry are discouraged. The dieter is not to drink coffee or alcohol or eat foods made from white rice or white flour. Dieters do not eat imported foods.
Additional Guidelines
The dieter should eat two or three meals every day, choosing from organic food sources. Foods must grow, or be produced, within a 400-mile radius, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia." Food preparation focuses on simplicity. Dieters use cast iron cooking vessels, stainless steel pots or clay pots to prepare food over a flame instead of on an electric coil stove or in a microwave.
Considerations
Macrobiotic diets do not encourage the use of dietary supplements, but according to the World's Healthiest Foods, following a strict macrobiotic diet may result in nutritional deficiencies. The diet is high in carbohydrates, low in fat but also high in fiber. Dieters run the risk of developing vitamin B-12, vitamin D, iron and calcium deficiencies. Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children should not follow a macrobiotic diet, unless directed to do so by their physicians.
References
- "The Gale Encyclopedia of Diets: A Guide to Health and Nutrition;" Jacqueline L. Longe, 2008
- Vanderbilt University, Psychology Dept.: Macrobiotics
- WHFoods: The Macrobiotic Diet
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