Macrobiotic Diet Helps Balance Your Diet and
Your Life
Macrobiotics devotees believe that food, and food
quality, affects our lives more than is commonly thought.
It is thought to affect our health, well being and
happiness. They focus on moving away from processed
foods, and moving toward more natural and more
traditional methods of food preparation. They claim it is
better to choose food that is less processed, more
natural, use more traditional methods of food preparation
for themselves and their family.
Macrobiotics emphasize
locally-grown, organically-grown
whole grain
cereals, legumes,
vegetables,
fruit,
seaweed and
fermented soy products, combined into meals
according to the principle of balance between
yin and yang properties, rather than scientific
dietary guidelines. Macrobiotic diets follow the
idea of Yin and Yang. Cereals, fruit, beans, nuts and
vegetables, and rice make up the main part of the diet and are
considered neutral and are naturally balanced in terms of Yin
and Yang. Foods which are either extremely Yin in nature or
extremely Yang in nature are eaten very rarely if at all. Very
Yin products include coffee, tropical fruit, sugar, soft dairy
products, vegetables, alcohol and honey. Very Yang products
include poultry, meat, firm dairy products like hard cheeses,
and eggs.
The
macrobiotic diet is high in natural, unprocessed foods,
complex carbohydrates, and vegetables. It is low in
saturated fats, while providing the essential fats. Food
should be organically grown and eaten fresh. The Macrobiotic
lifestyle also governs how food should be prepared. No
microwave should be used - rice must be cooked in a pressure
cooker. Food should be eaten and chewed slowly, in a relaxed
manner.
Low-fat high-fiber diets are also
believed to play a role in preventing some types of cancer.
And the macrobiotic emphasis on fresh, non-processed foods
may be beneficial to those dealing with certain food
allergies and chemical sensitivities. Followers assert that
the balance and harmony of the macrobiotic diet and
lifestyle create the best possible conditions for health.
They claim that the diet yields many positive health
effects, including a general sense of well-being, and some
studies actually show that people on the diet have a
decreased risk of heart disease and some forms of
cancer.
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