Many diets and eating patterns vary among human cultures and scientific findings. Thanks to the Internet and globalization, there is an overload of this type of information. As it is a topic as essential as health, it is necessary to correctly discern what will be best for you and your neighbor.
Some of these roots are philosophical and even religious, as is the case of the diet inherited from the Taoist and Buddhist lineages of the Far East. At FastlyHealwe, explain the macrobiotic diet: what it is and its principles.
Macrobiotic diet: origins and principles
Macrobiotic eating is an eating style descended from the paradigms of the Taoist and Buddhist cultures, which firmly believe in and uphold the universal principle of Yin and Yang: polarities that are part of a dynamic whole, which stimulate constant change in the universe. And where each polarity has the opposite polarity at its core so that none of these can ever be destroyed.
This principle is applied at the microcosmic level, that is, on the planet and living beings, including humans and what we eat.
Macrobiotic eating principles
- Everything we consume has an energetic charge of more Yin or more Yang; this charge depends not only on the product but also on how it is grown and prepared.
- No food is absolutely Yin or absolutely Yang, and neither of these polarities should be understood as synonymous with good or bad. What you have to watch out for is the excesses of these polarities.
- The purity and organic origin of food are highly respected, as they consider that in this way, its original yin/yang composition remains more intact and assimilable by the body.
- This diet is not originally vegetarian. It integrates some animal proteins but reminds the consumer to take care of the food, and the quality of the environment where the animal eats is developed.
- It is not a fixed parameter of food consumption for everyone. They accept variants according to what activities you frequent in your routine, if you have any disease, or if you will perform a specific one that requires a different diet.
- Adaptations according to seasonal fruits and crops and adaptation to the climate are considered.
Classification of foods according to the macrobiotic diet
According to the Yin and Yang principle, meals are classified, where the most focused foods (balanced between Yin and Yang) are usually recommended as the best within this line:
Neutral foods
- Whole grains and rice: recommend that they comprise about half of the daily diet.
- Barley
- Vegetables
- Tofu and miso
- Vegetables
- Water: although consumption is minimal.
Alimentos Yin
It is associated with lightness, repair, relaxation, and rest. It is related to cold and therefore it is recommended to increase its consumption in hot climates. They suggest that they form part of 20 to 30% of the daily diet. They mainly include:
- Vegetables and vegetables
- Began
- Extra virgin vegetable oils: olive, coconut, and avocado
- Fruits
- Seeds
However, the different levels of Yin energy are also distinguished, inviting people to consume in much less quantity those that are highly polarized or charged with this energy, such as:
- Dairy products
- Refined oils
- Hot spices and intense flavors
- Raw tomatoes and peppers
- Artificial juices or juices with refined sugar
- Processed sweets
- Avena
- Soy milk
- Non-organically harvested vegetables, grains, and fruits
Yang Foods
It refers to the heavy, the dynamism, and energy contribution to intense actions, concentration, and focus. It is associated with heat, and it is recommended to increase its consumption in temperate and cold climates. The most balanced Yang are:
- The white and bluefish
- Organically and freely farmed birds and eggs
- Wholemeal flours
Those excessively Yang foods that are invited to consume only in very exceptional situations are:
- Mammalian meats (red)
- Any non-organic bird or egg
- Hams and sausages
- Cured cheeses
- Bread and cookies (even if they are with whole ingredients)
- Coffee and chocolate
- Refined salt
Sin radicalism
There are no forbidden foods in the macrobiotic diet but foods that have more or less power to cause energy imbalances. This means that the fact of finding a very Yin or Yang food does not refer to the total omission of its consumption. On the contrary, in certain circumstances or when faced with specific diseases, the intake of some of them may be necessary or recommended, preferably under the supervision of a specialist in macrobiotics.
Macrobiotic Eating and Meal Preparation Methods
As much as we consume a very Yang, Yin, or balanced food, the way we cook or prepare it will influence the energy load that it will represent for our body; being able to use this in favor of reducing excesses of one energy or another. for example, vegetables and vegetables that are too Yin like tomato or paprika can be briefly roasted to reduce their Yin load. The most balanced forms of preparation are boiling and short sautéing.
Yin preparation ways
As we already mentioned, the Yin polarity refers to rest and, in this case, to cold. The following methods are used to make the food a little more Yin by not heating it :
- scalded
- Machado
- Pressing
- Juices
- No cooking
- Refrigeration
- Freezing (extremely Yin)
Ways of Yang preparation
Here are preparation methods that involve heat in the process. The most beneficial ways are:
- Grilled
- Long stir fry
- Upholstery
- Fried or stir-fried with new, heat-resistant oils such as coconut and avocado
- Salted with sea salt or Himalayan salt
- Baked
Other Yang methods considered more aggressive are:
- Fried with used oil or with low smoke temperature (sunflower, canola, soybean, olive)
- Smoked
- BBQ/grill
- Pressure cooker
- Salted with refined salt
Warnings and criticisms of the macrobiotic diet
This style of eating is accused of weakening the person too much or risking their correct hydration, being frequent in its strictest practitioners problems such as:
- the anemia
- Immune deficiencies
- Malnutrition in general
Remember that this diet is based more on philosophical principles than scientific evidence. Some of this current evidence is growing against grains, legumes, and cereals in general – the main components of this diet – due to the following factors:
- Imbalance in the Omega 3 and Omega 6 ratio can promote chronic inflammation.
- Rotenone: neurotoxin present in grains.
- Saponins and Leptins: impair intestinal health and open the common intestinal barrier.
- The high amount of phytoestrogens: especially in soybeans and grains, alters the hormonal balance in women and men.
- It is increasingly difficult to find organically grown soybeans with the necessary fermentation processes to reduce their immunotoxicity.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.