A macrobiotic diet aims to promote physical and spiritual well-being by bringing balance to the body. The whole grains and vegetables that comprise a macrobiotic diet can help cleanse the intestines by moving swiftly through the digestive tract and aiding the body in ridding itself of waste.
Intestinal Effects of a Macrobiotic Diet
The macrobiotic diet was founded in the 1920s by George Ohsawa and grew in popularity in the 1970s. It advocates the consumption of mild, unprocessed foods to promote harmony within the body. The foods involved in a macrobiotic diet are specifically chosen to be easy to digest and pass smoothly through the digestive system. They detoxify the body by helping clean out digestive waste lingering in the intestines. While some health professionals are concerned that those who follow this restrictive eating plan suffer the risk of not receiving enough nutrients, most agree the fundamental principles of a macrobiotic diet promote good health and are nutritionally sound.
The Macrobiotic Diet Plan
To adhere to a macrobiotic eating plan, half of your daily food intake should come from whole, unrefined, organically-grown grains such as brown rice, whole wheat, oats, corn, barley and rye. Eat products made from refined flour such as most commercially-made breads and pastas in limited quantities or avoid them altogether. Roughly a quarter of the foods consumed daily should be fresh organic vegetables, particularly squash and cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and kale. Avoid potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, green peppers and spinach. The remainder of the foods eaten daily should consist of beans, soups and broths, and sea vegetables such as seaweed. Small amounts of fish and nuts are allowed weekly. Beef, poultry, lamb, pork, caffeine, eggs, dairy, refined sugar and artificial sweeteners all are forbidden under a macrobiotic diet plan.
The principles of a macrobiotic lifestyle stress the importance of eating only to satisfy hunger. Chew food thoroughly and linger over meals. Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables and avoid any foods not harvested locally. Consuming foods not native to the area, as in eating tropical fruits in a non-tropical region, is believed to cause an unhealthy imbalance within the body.
Cooking technique and the manner of food preparation also are important considerations in following a macrobiotic diet. Macrobiotic foods should be boiled, pressure cooked, steamed or stewed. Avoid baking, broiling or frying foods. The use of a microwave oven or electric stove is discouraged. As with any diet plan requiring a significant adjustment to eating habits, consult with doctor or nutritionist to see if a macrobiotic diet is a sound individual choice for cleansing the intestines and detoxifying the body.
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