Macrobiotic Diet
Explore the Macrobiotic Diet
The Macrobiotic diet is essentially a lifestyle change which focuses on listening to one’s body, eating when feeling hungry, chewing food slowly, and following certain food proportions. The word macrobiotics comes from the Greek word macro meaning great and the word bios which is life. Followers of this diet believe that food and its’ quality has a tremendous impact on our daily lives, including our health, well-being, and happiness. These followers recommend incorporating natural and organic foods into ones’ diet according to the yin and yang principle.
In Chinese philosophy, there are two life forces - yin and yang. Yin signifies passive, dark, and cold, while yang is defined through aggressive, positive, and hot. In order to achieve good health, both of these forces must be kept in balance. In terms of food, yin would be classified as sweet, while yang would be salty.
Following are the macrobiotic diet’s recommendations:
- 50–60% whole grains - brown rice, barley, oats, corn, rye, whole wheat, and buckwheat
- 30% vegetables and fruits - cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, pumpkin
- 5% soups
- Small portions of beans, nuts, seeds, seasonal fruit or fish
In addition, there is also great emphasis on the way food is prepared along with the manner in which it is consumed. Recommendations include the following:
- Utilizing different cooking techniques such as: steaming, baking, and soaking to enhance the food’s nutritional value.
- Avoiding the microwave for food preparation.
- Eating when feeling hungry while slowly and thoroughly chewing the food.
- Eating in a relaxed manner.
- Keeping the kitchen clean and organized, since this is where food is prepared.
Some followers try to go beyond this diet and attempt to follow a macrobiotic lifestyle, which involves examining balance, harmony, and the yin and yang force in ones' life. At the same time, macrobiotics can never be tested scientifically since it is a belief in living life in a certain way. It is important to realize that this type of diet may be difficult to follow due to the food restrictions and the specific methods for food consumption and preparation.
Benefits
- All foods consumed are organic, so you are eating more healthy.
- Possibly improved health and well being due to the natural and supposedly calming foods.
- A potentially improved spiritual well-being.
- Potentially reduces high cholesterol and prevents heart disease.
- Assists with weight management.
Risks
- This diet could potentially result in a nutrient and vitamin deficiency in calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iron. It is not recommended for children, teenagers, or pregnant women.
- There is no conclusive evidence for this diet to be effective for the prevention of cancer, heart disease, or any other types of illnesses.
What do experts say about the diet?
Gabriele F. Kushi, who is a macrobiotic nutritional consultant and educator claims that: "Because the macrobiotic diet prevents and protects against degenerative disease, it may be the best diet to follow in this time of high cancer rates, heart disease, obesity, allergies, AIDS and the hazards of environmental pollution."
Some cancer survivors are convinced that the Macrobiotic diet did in fact cure them. One of these individuals is an anesthesiologist from the Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia, Anthony J. Sattilaro, M.D. He claims that the Macrobiotic diet was the reason for his recovery from his metastatic prostrate cancer.
On the contrary, the American Cancer Society had found no conclusive evidence that the macrobiotic diet is indeed useful as a cure for cancer. Consequently, the American Cancer Society highly recommends for individuals diagnosed with cancer not to solely rely on a certain diet or program as a primary means of treatment.
Sources
- BC Cancer Agency. Retrieved Dec 21, 2006
from http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/PPI/UnconventionalTherapies/MacrobioticDietsZenMacrobiotics.htm - Kushi, Gabriele. The Twin Cities Green Guide Diet For a Healthy and Peaceful World.
Retrieved Dec 20, 2006 from: http://www.thegreenguide.org/article/food/macro - Miller DR, Specker BL, Ho ML, Norman EJ. Vitamin B-12 status in a macrobiotic community. American Journal Clinical Nutrition. 1991 Feb;53(2):524-9.
- Stephen Barrett, M.D., Victor Herbert, M.D., J.D. Questionable Cancer Therapies. Retrieved Dec 21, 2006 from: http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/cancer.html
- PCC Natural markets. Retrieved Dec 19, 2006
from: http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/health/Diet/Macrobiotic_Diet.htm - The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Retrieved Dec 19, 2006 from: http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/59/5/1187S?ck=nck - Wikipedia. Macrobiotic Diet. Retrieved Dec 19, 2006
from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrobiotic_diet - Wilson Ben R. (M.D.). Cancer quackery primer. Dallas, Oregon: The author, 1986. Retrieved from: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/PPI/UnconventionalTherapies/MacrobioticDietsZenMacrobiotics.htm