Macrobiotic Diet | The Holistic Dieting



The macrobiotic diet dates back to the 1920s in Japan where the diet became a popular lifestyle to those who are into holistic living. The diet revolves on the concept of eating wholly natural foods meaning that they must not be man made or processed with additives. This is because these foods can fill your body with toxins. The word “macrobiotic” actually means “long life” from its Greek roots.

The diet was developed by George Ohsawa, a Japanese educator who believed that the key to optimal health lies in simplicity. The first version of the macrobiotic was very restrictive and is no longer used by macrobiotic counselors to date. Michio Kushi expanded Ohsawa’s theory and opened the Kushi Institiure in Boston in 1978. He then wrote a lot of books on the diet and was responsible for its popularity in North America. Basically the diet that is being followed these days is Kushi’s version of the macrobiotic.

How it worksThe diet is primarily vegetarian and emphasizes on the consumption of whole grains and vegetables. The diet aims to balance the foods that you eat so that they can work in tandem with your body and not against it – it is like the concept of yin and yang. A macrobiotic diet will bring you to foods that are straight from the earth.

The diet is rich in whole grains and a significant part of your daily food source will consist of barley. You will also be made to eat a lot of vegetables. Soy and beans will also be a regular part of your diet and you can enjoy fish a few times a week. Even the water you drink is limited because you are only asked to drink filtered water.

Pros

  • Promotes all natural toxin free meals
  • The diet has low fat and high fiber content
  • Promotes the eating of large portions of vegetables
  • You are allowed to have desserts in moderation
Cons
  • As with most alternative methods, the macrobiotic diet is not yet backed with any scientific research
  • Organic food can be expensive so it will be better to grow your own herbs and vegetables if you want to stay on this diet.
  • Fish and seafood are the only meats allowed
  • The program may be too difficult and restrictive especially to those who are not used to dieting
  • No exercise guide provided

Macrobiotic Diet,
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