Be aware: this is only the goal of this diet, not necessarily its outcome. Results vary from person to person. Consult your doctor or dietician before starting this (or any other) diet.
The macrobiotic diet is about balancing Yin and Yang and seems to have its origin in Zen Buddhism. The balance must be created by choosing the right foods and the right cooking utensils.
On the homepage you can compare this diet with other diets.
[Adwords item: Display-ad vierkant]
When you follow the macrobiotic diet, you try to find balance between Yin and Yang. The underlying idea (or belief) is that Yin and Yang are two principles (or forces) which occur in all things. Hence, it occurs in food as well.
There are many different variants of the diet. Most variants are vegetarian, sometimes (almost) vegan. Meditation, aspects of Buddhism and the idea of Yin and Yang are also included in some variations of the diet.
Other versions are very strict and are limited to, for example, eating brown rice and drinking water. Please note: do not start such a diet just like that. Consult with a doctor or dietician first.
The belief is that every product contains both Yin and Yang. However, it differs per product which of the two is dominant. Heavy, compact and/or hot products are seen as Yang-dominant, while Yin-dominant products are, for example, light and/or cold.
The idea of the macrobiotic diet is that you mainly choose products that ensure a good Yin-Yang balance. So-called macrobiotic products are products with a good Yin-Yang ratio, which should help with reaching this goal.
Examples of products that would meet this requirement are barley, quinoa, rye, spelt, oats and millet. In addition, the diet promotes the use of organic, unprocessed and local products.
Whole grain cereals, brown rice, pulses, tempeh vegetables, fruits, beans, fermented soya products and seaweed are typical ingredients for a macrobiotic meal. These products are also said to have a good Yin-Yang ratio.
[Adwords item: InArticle-ad]
Just as in the low GI diet, the macrobiotic diet prefers products with a low GI value when eating carbohydrates. The GI value says something about the speed with which the sugars are absorbed into your blood. Read more about GI values here.
Potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, beets, avocados, spinach and aubergines are examples of products that are avoided in this diet. These products are said to be very Yin.
Processed products are also avoided as much as possible. Depending on the variant of the diet, meat, fish and other animal products aren’t consumed (or consumed less) as well.
The type of pans and other cooking utensils you use are also important when following a macrobiotic diet. Cooking utensils made of wood or glass have a good Yin-Yang ratio. Products made of, for example, copper or plastic should be avoided.
With the macrobiotic diet it is advised to incorporate enough exercise into your daily routine. Think of cycling to and from work for example.
[Adwords item: InArticle-ad]
Consult your doctor or dietician before starting this (or any) diet. This diet can be unsafe, for instance because you do not consume enough of certain nutrients.
A well-known macrobiotic cookbook is Modern day macrobiotics. The book The Complete Macrobiotic diet describes the diet in more detail.
Examples of other diets that are looking for a (physical) balance are the Hormone balance diet and the Brain Body diet.
Did you notice a mistake on this page? Please let us know.
Incorporate movement into your daily routine as much as possible.
With the professional help of a dietitian it should be easier to reach your goals. Please contact a dietician in your area or talk to a doctor before starting any diet.
Please take note that most diets do not have a scientific basis.
Consult your doctor or dietician before starting a diet, especially if you have a chronic condition like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lung disease or kidney disease.
If you think you might have an eating disorder (like anorexia or bulimia), it is important to look for professional help. Contact your (house) doctor or find help elsewhere. Here you can find a list of several websites that can provide (online) help. These sites also provide information for people that know someone with an eating disorder.