Macrobiotic Diet Overview

A Macrobiotic Diet is one that focuses on eating grains as a staple food and supplementing with other foods such as vegetables and beans. The diet insists that the person avoid highly refined foods, and that individual actually pay attention to how certain foods effect their health and well-being instead of blindly following diet rules. Nevertheless, macrobiotic guidelines can help in developing a sensitivity to the foods that promote health. ¹

Locally grown whole grain cereals, legumes, vegetables, seaweed, fermented soy products, fruit, beans, fish, nuts, seeds and some teas are some of the staple foods used in the diet. Consuming locally grown foods is also stressed.

According to some macrobiotic theorists, all foods have qualities of both yin and yang present and combining certain foods best supports keeping the body in balance as well. ²

1. Kushi, Michio, with Alex Jack (1994). The Book of Macrobiotics. Japan Publications.
2. Porter, Jessica (2004). The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics. Penguin Group.

As discussed, a Macrobiotic Diet does not have rules and regulations, but rather general guidelines for the person to follow.

Whole grain cereal grains should make up around 40-60% of the diet. Vegetables: 25-30% Beans and legumes: 5-10% Miso, especially soup: 5% Sea vegetables: 5% Traditionally or naturally processed foods: 5-10%

Chewing all foods well is an important part of a macrobiotic diet as is eating foods that are locally grown and in-season. Which foods are considered in-season will change depending on the person's location, but generally speaking, spring and summer require foods that are lighter in quality, raw, and if cooked, cooked by steaming and for shorter amounts of time. Fall and winter foods should be denser (less water content), include root vegetables, consist of heavier grains and be cooked in oil and using more salt.

Many highly refined foods should be avoided, and other foods, considered highly yin in nature, are also said to exhaust the body. These include:

• Sugar
• Alcohol
• Honey
• Coffee
• Chocolate
• Refined flour products
• Very hot spices
• Drugs
• Chemicals and preservatives
• Commercial milk, yogurt and soft cheeses
• Poor quality vegetable oils

Other foods, considered highly yang, can give strength when eaten in moderation yet create stagnation when consumed in high quantities. These include:

• Meat
• Poultry
• Eggs
• Refined salt