What is a Macrobiotic Diet?

So, what actually is a Macrobiotic diet? Well, it is basically a diet that is consumed for balance and wellness. It includes many different foods such as whole grains, beans, vegetables, seaweed, nuts and seeds, seafood and fish, teas, and a daily portion of Miso Soup. All of these foods are eaten in a percentage each day, which is designed to balance out the diet. The preparation of these foods as well as the composition is adjusted by climate, gender, weather, age, activity, stages, and season, and everything that is a part of the diet is to be organically grown as well.

There are many guidelines that must be specifically followed if you are going to start following the Macrobiotic diet. Here is a closer look at some of the most important guidelines that must be followed in order to get the best benefits from this diet for the health and balance of your body.

- About 50-60% of every meal eaten should be made up of whole grains. The whole grains allowed include corn, brown rice, barley, whole wheat berries, buckwheat, rye, and millet. On occasion, flour products such as noodles, bread, rolled oats, baked goods, and past can be eaten as well.

- Every single day1-2 cups of Miso soup must be consumed.

- Approximately 25-30% of the daily foods should be vegetables, and 1/3 of the daily vegetables should be raw. The rest of the vegetables that are eaten during the day should be sautéed, boiled, steamed, or baked.

- Ten percent of the daily food intake is made up of beans. Beans that you can eat include cooked beans, or similar products like natto, tofu, and tempeh.

- Several times a week, seafood or fish can be consumed. Eggs, meat, poultry, and dairy products are usually avoided for the most part. Usually ginger, grated daikon, wasabi, or horseradish is eaten with the seafood or fish to help keep the body detoxified from these foods.

- In moderation, nuts and seeds can be consumed and they may be lightly roasted and if salted, it must be with shoyu or seal salts.

- Fruit is allowed a few times a week. While the tropical fruits are usually not eaten, fruits that are allowed include grapes, pears, melons, apples, apricots, and peaches.

- Only about 2-3 times a week are desserts allowed to be consumed. Usually it is the naturally sweet foods that are emphasized as well. Honey, chocolate, carob, sugar, and molasses are avoided.

- The cooking oil used in this diet is vegetable oil that is unrefined. Usually dark sesame oil is the common oil of choice. However, corn oil, light sesame oil, and mustard seed oil can also be used as well.

- The condiments and seasonings that are allowed include brown rice vinegar, roasted seaweed, shoyu, natural sea salt, grated ginger root, roasted sesame seeds, sliced scallions, umeboshi vinegar, fermented pickles, and umeboshi plums.

There are a variety of different benefits that those on the Macrobiotic diet can enjoy, and they are quite obvious as well. The foods that are a part of this diet are totally organic and they are made in ways that do away with the bad eating habits that so many people fall into today. Actually, common sense is a huge part of this diet, and one example is that foods are not cooked in the microwave. Also, foods are only eaten when the body is really hungry as well. More than just the foods you eat are emphasized, but how you eat them is important as well. Eating slowly, chewing completely, and even sitting properly are important with this diet.

The Macrobiotic diet also is beneficial because it helps to reduce the risk of health problems and disease as well, since it includes fruits and vegetables, high fiber, and low fat. Not only is this diet helpful for preventing illnesses and diseases, but it can help restore the body of those going through disease as well. People who survive cancer have found that this diet can help to replenish the body of cells after going through radiation or chemotherapy.

So, as you can see, the Macrobiotic diet is a diet that is healthy, well balanced, and that comes with a variety of benefits. For those looking for a way to improve health, reduce weight, and live long, this diet is an excellent choice.