The macrobiotic diet is (according to some people) a difficult, restrictive sort of diet. That is, it’s a spare diet, a diet that requires a lot of discipline. Now, words like “difficult” and “spare” are divisive – not everyone agrees on them. Some see the macrobiotic diet as the perfect diet. They point to its positive results – greater energy, lower body fat, and even the prevention of some forms of cancer. The macrobiotic diet has been described as a diet with great spiritual side effects. People who seek the macrobiotic diet are usually seeking a cure for the ailments of the mind and soul as well as for a cure for the ailments of the body. In fact, the people who advertise the macrobiotic diet as being a lifesaver usually think of body and mind ailments as going together. Heal the mind, heal the body, and vice versa.
With the macrobiotic diet you’re not going to be eating a lot of fattening, greasy foods, a lot of starchy foods, a lot of processed foods. You’re not going to be pulling up to the fast food joint every day and ordering an extremely large and fattening meal. The macrobiotic diet frowns severely on behavior such as this. The macrobiotic diet focuses on natural foods, that is, foods that grow out of the earth. The macrobiotic diet focuses on fruits and vegetables and on whole grains; the macrobiotic diet focuses on foods that are high in fiber.
With fast food, you’re getting a lot animal products. You’re getting a lot of meat and butter and milk and cheese and cream. You’re not only getting a lot of these, you’re getting them prepared in the unhealthiest way possible. You’re compounding the problem, as it were. Animal products are high in fat and lead to high cholesterol. High cholesterol, in turn, leads to heart attacks, strokes, paralysis, death. A diet high in animal products usually leads to a feeling of tiredness, listlessness, depression. The macrobiotic diet, for these reasons, turns away from animal products toward natural products. Fruits and vegetables, beans, unrefined vegetable oil – these are the kinds of foods that the macrobiotic diet chooses to focus on. The macrobiotic diet is almost a vegetarian diet. The protein that you get comes from legumes and – in moderation – some nuts and seeds.
The macrobiotic diet asks that you eat small amounts of fish several times per week. No chicken, beef, eggs, cream, or cheese. There are certain oils in fish that the macrobiotic diet says are especially good for you, and fish is also a fine source of protein. The macrobiotic diet says to avoid tropical fruits, but fruits such as apples, pears, and oranges are good for you. The key word for the macrobiotic diet is “natural.” For seasoning, for example, you would want to sea salt rather than regular salt. What comes from the earth is good, and it’s best to get it fresh and raw. Carrots fresh from the ground are better than canned carrots; raw, unsalted nuts are better than the oil, salted kind.
There are many sources on the internet to help you understand the macrobiotic diet better. As with any diet, consult withyour doctor before you decide to try the macrobiotic diet. He or she can help you to understand what your body requires, and can point you in the right direction when it comes to dieting, whether it has to do with the macrobiotic diet or some other diet.