A macrobiotic diet is a type of holistic diet that includes mostly organic and vegetarian foods. Some people believe that following a macrobiotic diet will prevent diseases such as cancer, promote overall good health, support a healthful body weight and increase longevity. A macrobiotic diet often is rather restrictive, so you should talk with your doctor before beginning the diet to discuss the possible risks and proper nutrient intake.
Identification
Becoming popular during the 1970s, the macrobiotic diet consists of a mostly vegetarian diet with local, unprocessed and whole foods, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. On a macrobiotic diet, you would consume 50 percent to 60 percent whole grains, 25 percent to 30 percent vegetables, 5 percent to 10 percent soups and 5 percent to 10 percent beans and sea vegetables. Small amounts of "supplementary foods" such as fish or seafood, fruits and snacks, as well as certain beverages also are allowed on the macrobiotic diet. Whole grains and brown rice, along with fresh vegetables and vegetable-based soups are encouraged on the macrobiotic diet, notes the University of Michigan Health System. A macrobiotic diet limits or eliminates all high-fat foods, animal-derived foods such as meats, dairy products and eggs, and cold-temperature foods. The macrobiotic diet encourages organic, locally grown foods.
Benefits
Because the macrobiotic diet focuses on whole, fresh foods, proponents believe that the diet and other components to a holistic lifestyle are the key to overall good health and contentment. No conclusive scientific evidence supports the use of a macrobiotic diet for preventing or treating any health condition, however.
Considerations
Following a macrobiotic diet may help you lose weight, because of the diet's focus on whole grains and vegetables while avoiding processed and refined foods, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Because a macrobiotic diet eliminates fatty foods with "empty" calories, you may experience weight loss -- particularly if you're switching to a macrobiotic diet from a diet that's higher in fat and calories.
Warning
Despite the overall health components of a macrobiotic diet, some of the extreme restrictions involved could actually limit your nutrient intake, warns the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Because the macrobiotic diet eliminates whole food groups such as dairy, you may become deficient in certain nutrients. In particular, the elimination of meats and dairy on the macrobiotic diet can cause a deficiency of vitamin B12, MayoClinic.com says. You may need to take a vitamin B12 supplement to correct this deficiency, although the macrobiotic diet discourages taking vitamin and mineral supplements. Also, keep in mind that no scientific evidence supports the claims that a macrobiotic diet can prevent or cure diseases, nor does any medical research conclude that following the diet is an effective and safe way to lose weight, cautions the University of Michigan Health System.
Member Comments