10 keys to the macrobiotic diet

The word “macrobiotic” (from the Greek macrolarge or long, and biolife) was used by the Japanese thinker George Ohsawa To define his philosophy and his diet of natural foods of oriental tradition. In the last century, his teachings reached the West at the hands of disciples like Michio Kushi.

Some people may be following a macrobiotic diet without knowing itsince it is based on whole grains, legumes and vegetables, and admits fruits, nuts, soy derivatives, unrefined oils, seasonings and, if desired, fish.

The standard macrobiotic regimen has been accused of being too restrictive, too grain-rich and too exotic, but for a wide-eyed macrobiotic not so important include algae or exclude solanaceous plants (tomatoes, potatoes, aubergines) how to choose at all times Balanced meals suited to personal needs.

One of the principles of this philosophy, sometimes forgotten, it is precisely to flee from rigidity. Strictly speaking, the holistic approach to macrobiotics suggests a way of life rather than a diet. The lifestyle to which macrobiotics invites seduces many people.

It also considers that they should all aspects of existence must be taken into account to determine what is convenient to eat: the season of the year, the climate, the state of health or the personal constitution.

What does macrobiotics propose?

Promote physical, mental and spiritual well-being through a natural diet based on the balance of yin and yang. It is a philosophy of life in which diet is the first step, but not the only one.

The ultimate goal of macrobiotic philosophy is to live in a way that is consistent with personal needs and with nature.

The main contribution of macrobiotics is the concept of the balance of opposites (yin and yang) applied to food. According to this theory, a food expands or contracts, heats or cools, acidifies or alkalizes by a form of subtle energy that is noticeable in the reactions of the body.

The idea comes from traditional Chinese medicine and serves macrobiotics to classify food as expansive or contractive: alcohol, sugar and fruit are located in the extreme yin (expansive) while meat and salt, in the yang (contractive). Macrobiotics considers that these foods decenter at an energetic, mental or emotional leveland prefers those in the middle of the spectrum.

What foods does a macrobiotic diet include?

The base is whole grains but they also eat legumes, vegetables and seasonal fruits, algae, nuts, seeds, soy products, fish and salty seasonings. Occasionally meat: not necessarily vegetarianalthough it can be followed from veganism. Guidelines are offered for everyone to find their diet.

What foods does macrobiotics limit?

Macrobiotics is not in favor of a regular consumption of meat, eggsdairy products, sugar, honey, processed, refined foodshot spices or nightshade plants (tomatoes, potatoes, aubergines, peppers). Consider that the latter contain certain acids which, among other things, would cause arthritis.

What are the advantages of following a macrobiotic diet?

You can experience a feeling of inner balance and centeringwhich is attributed to the “contractive” effects of whole grains and legumes, to the calming action of the vitamin B complex abundant in these foods and the metabolism of complex carbohydrates, without glucose ups and downs.

How can you start adopting it?

Experts advise introduce small changes: for example, substitute white bread for whole wheat, or white rice for brown rice. For more information, you can consult the books by Michio Kushi, edited by Edaf, and his website. also the book revitalize yourself of Dr. Jorge Pérez Calvo.

Which foods are yin and which are yang?

for macrobiotics yin is expansion and yang is contraction. Consider that a food provides yin or yang energy.

Are yin food vegetables, raw, sweet, watery, creamy, soft and soft, are yang food animals, cooked, salty, dry, crunchy, hard and strong

What does macrobiotics contribute?

Has been pioneer in some issues: he glycemic index counts as much or more than calories, proteins have to proceed more than vegetables than animals, you have to consume more natural and unprocessed foodsit is convenient to return to local foods and seasonalwhole grains are the basis of the diet…

Do you advise against raw fruits and vegetables?

He considers them very yin, which cool and supply fast sugars. But for the most flexible currentsraw fruits and vegetables are perfectly acceptabletaking into account the proportions on the plate.

It is considered that some people like it better than others depending on your health and the weather.

Is it compatible with the Mediterranean diet?

In fact, The Mediterranean diet could be included in some way within the macrobiotic.

But according to Michio Kushiit would be convenient to include more organic foodwhich will be used less olive oilalso reduce the consumption of refined cereals (you eat a lot White bread) and that of spices.

Is macrobiotics a diet for everyone?

Depending on the physical activity, gender, age and metabolism of the person, among other things, can be excessively rich in cereals.

The important thing is to know the personal circumstances well and respect the proportions of cereals, proteins and vegetables that fit each one; can be very useful consult nutritionists macrobiotic experts.

Advisor: Macrobiotic School of Catalonia