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What Are Macrobiotics?

There are many different special food choices to make. You may be trying to change your diet due to a chronic or life-threatening illness. You might be trying to lose weight or just hoping to feel more energetic. There are vegetarian diets, high-carb, low-carb, protein-rich and many other diet choices available. You may also be considering following a macrobiotic diet. Any change to your food intake should be carefully considered and discussed with your doctor to make sure you will not compromise your health.

  1. Identification

    • A macrobiotic diet is one that encourages you to eat foods that are balanced "energetically" as well as being nutritious. It typically means eating food that is high in fiber and low in fat--essentially a lot of vegetables and grains. You will limit your consumption of meat and focus on food that is organic and in season.

    Recommended Foods

    • On a macrobiotic diet your shopping list will include items such as whole wheat flour and pasta, in-season fruits and vegetables, unrefined oils, fruit juices without sugar and beans, tofu and temph to replace meat and poultry. You can also drink beverages without caffeine.

    Foods to Avoid

    • When following a macrobiotic diet, you will decrease or eliminate baked goods and snacks, vegetables that are not in season for the climate you live in and tropical nuts and fruits. You will also cut back on red meat, poultry, lamb, pork and beef. You will learn to avoid all dairy products, artificial sweeteners and artificially flavored beverages.

    Benefits

    • Advocates of a macrobiotic diet claim that it can help you lose weight, improve your cardiovascular health and help prevent disease. A macrobiotic diet may help to clear skin conditions and improve your digestive health as well.

    Considerations

    • Following a macrobiotic diet will present challenges when you want to dine out. You must know what ingredients the restaurant is using and avoid foods that have been cooked or warmed in a microwave. A macrobiotic diet will require you to cook at home most of the time.

    Warnings

    • With any diet that restricts the types of food you consume, you could be putting yourself at risk for nutritional deficiencies. Pay attention to how your body feels to know if the food program feels right. Talk to your health care provider about any concerns, especially if you are being treated for a chronic health condition.

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