What is Macrobiotic?

Answer 1

Macrobiotics, from the Greek "macro" (large, long) + "bios" (life), is a lifestyle that incorporates a dietary regimen.
Macrobiotic methodology was brought to Europe from a Japanese philosopher George Oshawa.
Followers of macrobiotics believe that food, and food quality, affects our lives more than is commonly thought. It is thought to affect our health, well being and happiness. They claim it is better to choose food that is less processed, more natural, and use more traditional methods of cooking for family, friends, and oneself.
Macrobiotics emphasizes locally grown, organically grown whole grain cereals, pulses (legumes), vegetables, fruit, seaweed and fermented soy products, combined into meals according to the principle of balance between yin and yang properties
Grains are emphasized, particularly brown rice, which, when chewed thoroughly, has a good balance of yin and yang properties. The added vegetables make the diet more alkaline, which is achieved by chewing well. Foods which are either extremely Yin in nature (e.g. very sweet foods, dairy products coffee) or extremely Yang in nature (e.g. very salty foods, red meat) are consumed very rarely if at all. The yin/yang properties of food are determined by a number of properties: the acidity of the food, where the food grows (root vegetables versus fruit from tree tops), as well as the location where the food natively grows (Morocco vs. Scotland), and the colour, shape, flavour and moisture content of the food.

Ohsawa described ten diets in total, with varying proportions of the following food groups: cereals, vegetables, soups, animal foods, salad and fruits, desserts, and beverages. The ideal diet of the ten, according to Ohsawa, was named "Number 7" and consists almost entirely of cereals with a minimal amount of beverages

The classic Macrobiotic diet consists of 50–60% whole grains, 30% vegetables, 5% soups like miso, and small portions of beans, nuts, seeds, seasonal fruit or fish. Nightshade vegetables are avoided or used sparingly. Squashes, root vegetables, and flowering plants (broccoli, kale, etc.) are emphasized as well
Macrobiotic Diet composition
Consists of

Whole cereals: 50-60%
Fruit and vegetables: 25-30%
Beans: 10%
Soup: 5-10%
Seaweed: 5%
The remainder is composed of whitefish, seeds and nuts, oil and spices, sea salt, desserts.

Food is prepared in various ways, including: Steaming, boiling, raw, ohitashi, nishime, nitsuke, kinpira, sukiyaki, nabe, oven baking, baking in a pressure cooker, tempura, frying

Answer 2

According to Donna Secker and Stanley Zlotkin writing in Essentials of Human Nutrition, "macrobiotic diets consist of unpolished rice, pulses and vegetables with small additions of fermented foods, nuts, seeds and fruit; animal products are not consumed" (not sure about the last phrase - I thought that fish was allowed in the macrobiotic diet).
The authors warn that "in infants consuming a macrobiotic diet, a clear relationship has been demonstrated between diet, nutrient intake and physical and biochemical evidence of deficiency for several nutrients including iron, vitamins B12, D, and riboflavin. Slower growth rates and higher incidence of nutritional diseases such as rickets, kwashiorkor and anaemia have been reported."

Answer 3

Macro means big or full. Biotic means life.

A macrobiotic diet is meant to give you a full life.

It's very much along the lines of a whole food way of eating. Eliminating a lot of the daily toxins in your diet.

While I like their simple way of cooking, I have a difficult time with the concept of meditating over my food to decide if it is yin or yang.

Answer 4

Macrobiotic:-
Of or relating to the theory or practice of macrobiotics

Macrobiotics:-
The theory of promoting health and longevity by means of diet (especially whole beans and grains)