A macrobiotic diet is a vegetarian diet consisting of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Although a macrobiotic diet does not include meat, a balanced macrobiotic diet contains vegetable protein sources.
History
Japanese philosopher George Ohsawa developed the concept of the macrobiotic diet in the 1930s and brought his ideas to the United States in the 1960s.
Function
The macrobiotic diet calls for approximately 50 percent organic whole grains, 25 percent organic fruits and vegetables, and 10 percent soups containing vegetables, beans and miso, according to the American Cancer Society. The remaining portion of the diet consists of occasional fish, nuts and seeds.
Types
Animal products other than fish are discouraged. Other discouraged items include sugar, coffee, eggs and dairy products.
Considerations
All cooking pots, pans and utensils must be made of either glass, wood, ceramic, stainless steel or enamel.
Misconceptions
Macrobiotic diets have been thought to help cure a variety of diseases, including cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, there is not enough evidence to determine that a macrobiotic diet has any effect on cancer.
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