A macrobiotic diet is an alternative eating plan that emphasizes the consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and soups, while de-emphasizing the consumption of refined sugar, dairy products and meat. In early forms of the diet, its guidelines were highly restrictive. However, modern guidelines now allow for a much greater variety of foods.
Understanding Macrobiotic Diets
The macrobiotic diet was created by Japanese philosopher George Ohsawa and brought to the U.S. in the 1960s, the American Cancer Society reports. Ohsawa's intention was to create a simple diet that could cure serious illness by avoiding certain foods and promoting a balance between the complementary energy forces known as yin and yang. In his original macrobiotic diet, Ohsawa created progressive food restrictions that eventually had diet participants eating only brown rice and drinking only water. However, modern proponents of the diet have done away with these extreme restrictions, which could easily harm your basic health.
Basic Guidelines
According to the American Cancer Society, a modern macrobiotic diet consists of 50 to 60 percent organic whole grains; 20 to 25 percent local, organic fruits and vegetables; and 5 to 10 percent soups made with a fermented soybean product called miso, as well as seaweed, grains, beans and vegetables. Additional occasional components of the diet include seeds, pickles, Asian condiments, nuts, non-aromatic herbal teas and fresh fish. Initially, macrobiotic diets excluded meat and all animal-based products. If you follow modern guidelines for the diet, you will still need to avoid processed foods and other food items such as eggs, red meat, sugar, dairy products, caffeine and a variety of vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers and potatoes.
Food Preparation
Macrobiotic diets also include guidelines for food preparation, the American Cancer Society notes. For instance, you can typically only cook or eat your food with vessels and utensils made from stainless steel, wood, glass, enameled materials or ceramics. In addition, followers of the diet avoid cooking with electricity or microwave energy. Macrobiotic adherents also believe that your cooking environment can alter food's effects and consequently emphasize cooking in a calm, relaxed setting.
Safety
Apart from its philosophical underpinnings, a macrobiotic diet is generally healthy, according to Dr. Brent A. Bauer of the Mayo Clinic. However, you can encounter certain problems if you follow the diet or any other vegetarian program. Areas of potential concern include deficiencies in the intake of essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, protein and vitamin D. You may have particular susceptibilities to these deficiencies if you are pregnant or have any medical condition that significantly compromises your everyday health. Adolescents and children also have increased risks for deficiencies related to consumption of a macrobiotic diet.
Considerations
The Mayo Clinic recommends that you only undertake a macrobiotic diet with the advice and guidance of your doctor and a qualified nutritionist. When following a macrobiotic diet, you may need to make adjustments to your food choices based on a number of different factors, including your age, general health, gender, level of physical activity, the season of the year and features of your local climate.
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