Macrobiotic diets strive for balance

Macrobiotic diets focus on maintaining a healthy balance with food and sometimes throughout all aspects of your life. The diet and philosophy was developed by George Ohsawa. Followers of the macrobiotic diet believe that food and the quality of the food that you consume has an affect on your spiritual and emotional well-being. Some macrobiotic diet practitioners strive for a complete macrobiotic lifestyle, living in balance with their surroundings.

Foods of the macrobiotic diet

Low-fat, high-fiber foods are the main staples of the macrobiotic diet. Natural foods that are less processed or organic and locally-grown are favored. The composition of the diet is mostly whole grain cereals. Seaweed, fruits, vegetables and legumes make up the majority of the rest of the diet. Foods that are extreme in taste such as very sweet foods or salty foods are avoided. Dairy products and red meat are also rarely used as well as few beverages. The diet is supplemented with nuts, seeds, oils, spices and sea salt.

Following are the usual amounts of food categories found in a macrobiotic diet:

• 50-60% whole grains
• 25-30% vegetables
• 10% beans
• 5-10% soup
• 5% seaweed

The way foods are prepared in accordance to macrobiotic diets change according to the time of year. For example, during spring and summer foods are usually cooked quickly and lightly with steaming. Some popular macrobiotic dishes include sushi, miso soup and rice balls.

Macrobiotic diet benefits

Those suffering from cancer and other chronic conditions may find the macrobiotic diet beneficial because of its concentration on low-fat, high-fiber foods. The diet is also low in saturated fat, dairy, sugar and meats, which can lead to healthy results. Phytoestrogen is high in the macrobiotic diet, which helps to balance hormones for women, aiding in menopause, premenstrual syndrome and it may even help prevent breast cancer. Critics of the macrobiotic diet point out that it is low in protein and other important nutrients such as calcium and iron. Before pursuing a macrobiotic diet, it is recommended that you consult a physician.

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