Macrobiotic - diet according to yin and yang

Long and healthy life - that is the goal of macrobiotics. Learn more about the basics and rules of this diet.

Macrobiotic - diet according to yin and yang

macrobiotics derives from the Greek terms macros (big, long) and bios (life), that means something like "The big, or long life". This Far Eastern-inspired concept is based on the Yin-Yang doctrine and aims to lead to a healthy and long life. An important component of this is the appropriate food selection, which should have a harmonizing effect. Read here interesting facts about macrobiotics.

What is macrobiotics?

The basic thesis of this nutritional philosophy is that there are two forces in the universe: Yin, the expanding force, and Yang, the contracting force. By appropriate selection of food in the macrobiotic diet, a balance of the two forces to be established.

Yin, for example, is assigned by the macrobiotics to acidic foods, potassium, sugar and fruits. Yang stands for alkaline foods, sodium, salt and cereals. In addition, the condition of the food (Yin or Yang) can be changed by the preparation. The optimal ratio of yin to yang is 5: 1 according to macrobiotics, it is derived from the ratio of potassium and sodium in brown rice, which is considered in this teaching as optimal food.

Which foods does macrobiotics allow?

The basis of the macrobiotic diet are brown rice and whole grains, which are eaten whole, squeezed or flour. In the original form of macrobiotics, they account for approximately 50 to 60 percent of the total food selection. There are also legumes, (fermented) soy products, nuts, seeds, sea algae, some fruit and fish and a few vegetable fats. Drink only as much as necessary.

Meat, polished rice, milk, eggs, sugar, coffee and stimulating teas, very spicy spices and canned foods are all shunned. It should be eaten as possible regional, for each season naturally growing food.

There is no fixed nutritional plan, but three meals a day are recommended. Most of the meals should have a sweet taste, which also results from the long chewing of cereals. But salty and slightly sour taste and, to a lesser extent bitter and spicy, should also be present in the macrobiotic diet.

For breakfast, there are classically miso soup with vegetables and porridge (porridge), at lunch and dinner in the strict macrobiotic cereals and vegetables and legumes on the menu. The goal is to bring the body in line.

Since the preparation of the products according to the macrobiotic philosophy has a great influence on the effect of the food, beginners are recommended to follow cookbooks and to attend cooking courses under experienced management.

The origins of macrobiotics

The macrobiotic diet goes back to the Japanese Georges Oshawa, who supposedly healed from tuberculosis at the age of 16 years. Macrobiotic to Oshawa means a strictly vegan diet with 60 percent cereal share. She barely plays a role today.

Mishio Kushi continued to develop macrobiotics after Oshawa's death and adapted them to western eating habits. It is due to the widespread use of the macrobiotic diet in the 70s and 80s. The American Steve Acuff then relaxed the rules, so that vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, algae, fish and eggs are allowed.

Macrobiotic: Benefits

That sugar, alcohol and finished products are omitted, is positive. Since a lot of local vegetables are eaten, you feed yourself according to the seasonal offer. The products are packed with nutrients thanks to the short transport routes and natural cultivation. In addition, it is likely that one reduces weight through the diet change.

Macrobiotic: disadvantages

To feed on the strict form of macrobiotics is not a good idea. The risk of malnutrition is very high, especially in children. Studies showed that so fed children had growth disorders.

The variant according to Kushi should only be carried out with extensive nutritional knowledge and not by children, pregnant women or nursing mothers.

The Acuff macrobiotics is suitable as a permanent food for adults as, but you have to deal intensively with the nutritional composition to avoid deficiencies. Follow the principles of macrobiotics to feed, also brings usually a higher time and cost for preparation and purchase of food with it.
Macrobiotic - diet according to yin and yang

FAQ - 💬

❓ What is the yin yang theory of diet?

👉 Yin-Yang theory in food Chinese medicine defines the energy of food as hot, cold, warm, cool, and neutral. Hot and warm foods are Yang foods while cool and cold foods are Yin foods. It is the same definition as our body constitution.

❓ What are the main characteristics of the macrobiotic diet?

👉 The main foods in a macrobiotic diet are whole grains, local fresh veggies, sea veggies, and beans. Other foods include seasonal fruits, nuts, seeds, and white fish two to three times per week. You cannot eat meat, dairy, most other animal products, certain fruits and veggies, and some common drinks.

❓ What is the purpose of a macrobiotic diet?

👉 The macrobiotic diet aims to avoid foods containing toxins. Many people follow a completely vegan diet with no dairy products or meats. But some people eat small amounts of organic fish and meat. There is no scientific evidence that the macrobiotic diet treats or cures cancer.

❓ What foods are good for yin deficiency?

👉 Yin deficiency A person who is deficient in Yin energy may experience night sweats, dream-disturbed sleep, sweaty hands and feet. Some foods that support Yin are artichokes, black beans, eggs, honey, kidney beans, mango, pork, watermelon, and zucchini. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugar.

❓ Is Avocado a yin or yang?

👉 Avocado โ€“ Avocados are high in monounsaturated fatty acids, said to nourish the yin in the blood. About 80 percent of its caloric content is easily digested.

❓ Are potatoes yin or yang?

👉 Yin food 'refreshes' the body. Almost all green vegetables are included in this category โ€“ artichokes, spinach, cucumbers and so on. Root vegetables, such as beetroot, carrots and turnips, and tubers, such as potatoes and Jerusalem artichokes, are considered 'fresh'.

❓ What are the three principles of a macrobiotic diet?

👉 Major principles of macrobiotic diets are to reduce animal products, eat locally grown foods that are in season, and consume meals in moderation.

❓ Are tomatoes yin or yang?

👉 Yin foods include asparagus, cucumbers, tomatoes, bananas, watermelon, tropical fruits, raw fruits and vegetables, soy products, many types of seafood and pork. They are bitter, salty and light. They are also 'cooling' on the body. Yang foods have a warming effect on the body.

❓ Are eggs yin or yang?

👉 Duck and beef, warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, alcohol, nuts such as almonds and peanuts, eggs and glutinous rice are considered yang foods. Yin foods are generally bitter, salty and sour, while yang foods are generally sweet and pungent.

❓ Is yogurt a yin or yang?

👉 Milk, yoghurt, light cheeses and eggs are also seen as yin, alongside some seafood such as oysters, mussels and all shellfish. Salt, savoury condiments, soy sauce and nuoc mam fish sauce are also yin.

❓ Are avocados yin or yang?

👉 For example, if a patient comes to my clinic with a cold, clear mucus, and feeling weak or fatigued, the dietary recommendation would be for them to incorporate more yang foods, like animal protein, nuts and seeds, avocado, and red onion.

👉 Seeds are tightly bound life force, and thus very contractive, again Yang. Some examples of yin or expansive foods are sugar, water, fruits and spices. The other teaching in Macrobiotics is the rule of proportion of the type of food taken.

👉 A diet with brown rice, some beans, vegetables cooked with a little sesame oil and sea vegetables is considered as one aspect of the traditional macrobiotic diet you can follow. Note, that the environment in which you cook, the feelings you have while cooking are all very important to get the right nourishment from the food.

👉 For instance, consuming too much Yang food items will cause acne and bad breath and too much Yin food items might render a person anemic or lethargic. According to George Ohsawa, whenever there is too much yin or too much yang in the food we consume, there are imbalances in the body thus producing illnesses.

👉 Some examples of Yang or contractive food are salt, sea vegetables, seeds. Notice how you can envision what this food will do when you eat it. Salt will remove water from the cells and make it contract, move towards the center thus it is yang. Seeds are tightly bound life force,...


Like This? Share With Friends: