Macrobiotics+Diet

A diet attempting to understand the order of nature and to align oneself with it's laws in order to rediscover and preserve health. Macrobiotics uses the idea of Yin and Yang and recommends a diet adapted to these concepts.

considered Yang:
-Eggs -Meat -Salt -Cheese

considered Yin:
-Chemicals -White sugar and other simple sugars, including natural ones - honey, maple syrup, sucanant, and cooking molasses -Chocolate -Tropical and semi-tropical fruits -Acidifying vegetables (asparagus, spinach, rhubarb, tomatoes) -Artificial vinegar -Milk products -Refined Starched -Spices and Seasonings (ketchup, relish, mustard, hot peppers, paprika, cayenne and other peppers) -Teas and coffees -Alcohol -Herbal teas made with peppermint or soft mint

Standard Macrobiotic Diet
50% should be whole grains 5% should include soups such as miso or tamari, which should not be too salty. Should be varied and include different seaweeds, vegetables, beans and seeds. 20-30% should be vegetables at every meal. preferably organic. 2/3 should be cooked and 1/3 eaten raw. 10-15% should be legumes and seaweed

Drinks should include bancha tea (three year old tea), grain teas or coffees, or any traditional tea that does not have a stimulating effect.

Occasionally you may add: White fish, once or twice a week (less than 15% of total meal) Cooked fruit dessert, 2-3 times a week Grilled oilseeds or nuts, lightly salted or with tamari

Advantages
-Excellent for those w/ a sweet tooth (excess of Yin) -Excellent for those who eat excess meat (excess of Yang) -Excellent for those afflicted with long-term dis-eases

Disadvantages
-An excess of cooked food can overwork the digestive system due to enzymatic deficiency -Not recommended for epople who have trouble metabolizing carbohydrates -Be careful of excess salt