On Wikipedia, macrobiotics is defined as “a diet fixed on ideas about the types of food drawn from Zen Buddhism.” From this definition, macrobiotics is a restrictive Asian diet. However, it is not!!! As a matter of fact, macrobiotics is a multicultural diet and lifestyle. George Ohsawa, father of macrobiotics, spent time not only in Japan but France and other regions in Europe. From his observations of long standing world cultures, he then created the ten macrobiotic diet principles. Therefore, macrobiotics is actually based on common foods, traditions, and practices from around the world that promote longevity.

Macrobiotics is a system of holistic principles and dynamic practices that guides choices in nutrition, activity, and lifestyle for physical, emotional, mental, social, and environmental health.

It is a plant-based diet centered around consuming a variety of grains, beans, vegetables, soups, seeds, nuts, fruits, naturally pickled and fermented foods. 

Here are macrobiotic foods to get started: 

Grains: brown rice, barley, millet, bulgur, oatmeal, polenta, udon and Italian semolina pasta, and unyeasted sourdough bread.

Beans: lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, black beans and humus.

Vegetables: daikon, napa cabbage, kale, arugula, onions, carrots, sweet potatoes and winter squash.

Soup: Miso and a variety of vegetable soups

Naturally pickled and fermented foods: pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, apple cider vinegar and sourdough bread.

Seaweed: nori, kombu, and wakame.

Traditionally prepared, Non-GMO soy products: miso, shoyu, tofu, soy milk, tempeh.

In addition, the macrobiotic diet combines different methods of food preparation from well-cooked, lightly-cooked, naturally pickled and fermented, and raw in daily and weekly meals. Try these recipes – macrobiotic burrito recipe, macrobiotic miso soup, kasha varnishkes, cauliflower corn chowder, mediterranean sauteed vegetables, broccoli and white beans with pasta, couscous vegetable salad, Italian-style white beans and greens and Japanese Donabe brown rice. 

No. Macrobiotic diet incorporates cuisines, foods, and ingredients from Asia, the Middle East, North-Africa, the Mediterranean, and other parts of Europe. 

Macrobiotics is not just a diet but also lifestyle. Lifestyle practices and habits are just as important as the diet when it comes to creating long lasting health.

Lifestyle Practices

• Sitting down while eating
• Eating meals with family and friends
• Spending time outside
• Eating without distractions
• Taking a daily walk
• Eating at regular times

These practices have proven to build health, vitality, and longevity. 

So is macrobiotics a Japanese lifestyle…

No, it is not specifically a Japanese lifestyle. All long standing world civilizations have these lifestyle practices in common. Sitting down and eating meals with family and friends is just as important tradition in Spain and Italy as it is in Japan.

• Spain – Take time to enjoy your meals and lunch is the most important meal
• France – Enjoy our life and take it slow at times
• Italy – Cook and eat with fresh and whole foods 

Want to improve your health? Request an appointment with Denny Waxman, macrobiotic counselor. He has forty-five years of macrobiotic counseling experience and can meet with you in person or over FaceTime or Skype. During the one hour session, you can discuss your health problems, receive advice on how to greatly improve your health, and plan goals. Set up a macrobiotic consultation today!

For more interesting articles about nutrition, macrobiotics, and living a healthy lifestyle, please visit Denny’s macrobiotic blog.