Macrobiotic diet

Macrobiotics is a dietary regime proposed in the late 1960s by Michio Kushi who was inspired by philosopher Georges Ohsawa. It emphasises locally grown, whole-grain cereals, pulses and fermented soy products, combined into meals according to the principle of balance between yin and yang properties.

Ideally no animal products of any kind are consumed, but Kushi recommends that the diet be adopted gradually, eating less and less animal products until the body ceases to demand any. Refined flour, sugar, dairy products and the meat of vertebrates are viewed as the most harmful, while fish meat is considered acceptable if the body demands it. Other than natural fruit, the only sweetener used in macrobiotic food is barley malt syrup.

A traditional Japanese miso soup is taken for breakfast. The ingredients for a macrobiotic main meal are always cooked together for an extended period of time in one pot, usually a pressure cooker. A fermented soy product (e.g. miso or tamari) is often mixed in after cooking.

Example combinations:

• whole-grain rice, lentils and cauliflower
• whole-grain barley, split peas and carrots
• whole-grain wheat, dried chickpeas and potatoes

Proponents claim that a macrobiotic diet can help achieve inner peace and salvation from consumerism, as well as bring significant health benefits, including protection from heart disease and some cancers.

Some dieters believe good health to result from eating macrobiotically, however opponents point to several deaths of people who were using the most severe form of the diet. No causal link between the deaths and the diet was actually proven, but it cannot be ruled out as a possible factor.