A macrobiotic diet may be a solution for healthy living, but it’s not without its pitfalls
Move over torturous, crash diets for swift results. Instead, opt for an easier version that can become a way of life. A diet that keeps you fit and even spiritual at the same time. We are talking macrobiotics (“macro” meaning big, to indicate long perhaps, and “bios” meaning life), a diet form that originated more than a century ago in Japan and is now catching up in India, if burgeoning sales of organic foods are an indication.
Macrobiotics advocates consumption of food in its most natural and raw form and thus discourages eating processed and microwave-cooked foods. The diet calls for consumption of unprocessed vegan foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts in pre-specified proportions and occasional intake of fish. It also calls for avoiding sugar, too many spices and refined oils. And has absolutely no place for fatty meats, dairy foods, coffee, caffeinated tea, alcohol, chocolate, refined flour, preservatives, poultry and potatoes.

It’s not a convoluted, putting-off list of do’s and don’ts. Quite actually, a macrobiotic diet has a lot to do with spiritualism and putting-at-ease. It stresses on masticating the food properly and eating slowly, in a relaxed mood. “This is the best part of the diet as when we eat with all our five senses, we tend to eat lesser and only till our stomach is full,” says Dr Rupali Dutta, chief dietician, Fortis Healthcare, Noida.
The regimen supports the Japanese philosophy of balancing foods to attain a balance of yin (calm and relaxed) and yang (active and energetic) forces. For this, foods are paired based on their sour, sharp, salty, sweet, or bitter characteristics. For instance, fish can be paired with salads or steamed vegetables.

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