Macrobiotic Diet

The word ‘macrobiotic’ originates from combination of two Greek words-macro means large or long while bios means life. Thus, Macrobiotic Food is a lifestyle which encourages living within the natural order of life. In old ages, the word can be found in the works of the great Greek Hippocrates. However, in modern era, the word was again used by the German Christopher W. Hufeland in his book Makrobiotik, the art of long life.

Since ages, macrobiotic diet is used as a lifestyle that lays significance over eating simple, balanced food that is more natural and less processed. It advocates the philosophy that food, its quality and its environment largely affects our own lives. Throughout history, people have adopted this most natural, organic diet with traditional style of cooking in search of health, happiness and prolonged life.

Earlier, before introduction of Macrobiotic Diet to the world it was known as Unique Principle in Japan. George Ohsawa, the Japanese philosopher introduced this methodology to Europe in 1920. He propagated the theory as he believed that the simplicity and natural and traditional diets hold the key to optimum health. Later, one of his pupils Nishibata Manabu brought this theory to America. Manabu with help of Michio Kushi expanded this theory to bring forth its present version.

The core of macrobiotic diet is Chinese philosophy. According to Chinese philosophy, there are two extremely opposite forces governing and enveloping all aspects of life. These two forces are better known as Yin and Yang. While Yang represents the centripetal force of life, Yin denotes the centrifugal movement. Thus Yin symbolizes expansion while Yang denotes contraction. In diet, Yin is cold while Yang is hot. While Yin is said to be sweeter Yang is said to be saltier. Ohsawa’s macrobiotic diet theory signifies the perfect balance between Yin and Yang sources of food. In no condition, extreme Yin or extreme Yang foods are allowed in a diet to maintain a great health.

The foods are classified into Yin and Yang based on numerous parameters. The location of food (the area or region), the origin of food (from roots like vegetables or from trees like fruits), the color, the flavor (sweet/salty), the shape, the moisture content are some of the few parameters useful in deriving the properties of food. The macrobiotic diet is also based on many other factors and subject to change according to the change in parameters. Such parameters are:
1. Time of preparation of food in the year – the preparation of macrobiotic dishes used to change according to summer, winter, autumn, spring seasons.
2. Time of preparation of food in the day - the preparation of macrobiotic dishes used to change according to morning, noon and evening.
3. Existence of five colors in diet – five colors mainly red, white, blue, yellow, black should be present in the recipe.
4. Existence of five tastes in diet – food carrying tastes like sweet, salty, sour, bitter, sharp should be included in diet.
5. Sum of Yin and Yang properties – as foods will strike out the balance between Yin and Yang the sum of such properties should be either zero or very close to zero.
The writings of Ohsawa recommended the constituents of macrobiotic diet.
1. Whole grains- This should make 50 to 60% of daily foods that include brown rice, whole wheat, barley, oats, corn, millet. Though great emphasis is laid on whole grains, small amount of flour made stuff is permitted.
2. Fresh vegetables- They should make 25–30% of daily food. cauliflower cabbage, onion, broccoli, mustard greens kale, , collards, turnip greens, radish, pumpkin, acorn squash, butternut squash are highly recommended. Preparation of vegetables should be done with help of light steam and unrefined cooking oil.
3. Beans and sea vegetables- they should make 5 to 10% of standard macrobiotic diet. Garbanzo beans, tofu, lentils are highly recommended. Sea vegetables like Kombu, nori, wakame are highly recommended as they provide rich sources of minerals.
4. Soups – they make 5 to 10 % of diet. Soups of miso, soy, vegetables and beans are great.
5. Foods carrying extreme Yin values like eggs and dairy products should be avoided. Foods carrying extreme Yang values like sweets, chocolates, coffee should be avoided.
6. Processed food with artificial flavors, colors are not allowed.

Advocacy of Macrobiotic Diet
This diet is low in fats, high in fiber. This diet is also rich in vegetables and soy products. It is characterized by phytoestrogen presence which is supposed to be preventive measures against cancer like diseases. A pre dominantly vegetarian diet having comprised of whole grain and vegetables claims to support the cure of many diseases such as pancreatic cancer.

Critics of Macrobiotic Diet
Many nutrition experts discard this theory as strict implementation of macrobiotic diet can lead to deficiencies of calories in daily intake. A person can suffer from the deficiencies of calcium, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D. the claims of curing diseases like cancer have not been substantiate yet, although proper studies have not been held in this regard.

If macrobiotic diet is followed with certain exception of supplementary foods to makeup the deficiencies, this diet can bring wonders in human life!