Live Life Team
A macrobiotic diet is a dietary regimen that involves avoidance of “toxins” obtained by eating oily foods, meats and dairy products. It requires whole grain consumption and discourages the use of eggs, dairy products, coffee, sugar, poultry, red meat, processed foods, and aromatic and stimulant herbs.
The standards of a macrobiotic diet comprise 50%-60% whole grains, 20%-25% vegetables and fruits, and 5%-10% soups made from vegetables, grains, seaweed, miso and beans. Other elements such as fresh whitemeat fish, pickles, and seeds may also be included as occasional helpings. Principles of macrobiotics also prescribe the use of utensils, pans and pots made of wood, enamelled pieces, stainless steel, glass and ceramics for cooking food. The prescription of a macrobiotic diet is determined by the sex, age, native climate and physical activity level of a person.
Macrobiotic diets have been advocated for cancer prevention and cure, but published clinical studies have not shown that they work. An early macrobiotic diet that only involved water and brown rice consumption has been associated with nutritional deficiencies and death. However, it is believed that a fibre rich diet low in saturated fats reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and some forms of cancer.
The nutrition guidelines recommended by the American Cancer Society to reduce cancer risk involves eating five or more servings of fruit and vegetables each day, eating whole grains instead of refined and processed foods, and limiting consumption of animal fats and red meats. In order to take in all the needed nutrients, it is recommended to select foods from a variety of vegetable, fruit and plant sources including seeds, nuts, beans and cereals.
