A Guide to the Macrobiotic Diet & Cuisine - Health and Fitness Travel (2024)

A Guide to the Macrobiotic Diet & Cuisine - Health and Fitness Travel (1)

Based on Taoist philosophy and originating in Japan, the macrobiotic diet focuses on restoring the balance of yin and yang in your body. The word macrobiotic comes from ‘macro’, which means big, and ‘bios’, meaning life. Translated, therefore, it means ‘great life’ and is intended to be undertaken as a way of life that aims to achieve total wellness, as opposed to just a diet.

Providing the foundation of thishealthy eating approachare macrobiotic foods and cuisine that are carefully selected to ensure the optimal balance of yin and yang. Although perhaps requiring initial self-control, the macrobiotic diet can easily be incorporated into daily life or initiated on anutrition friendly holidaywhich will introduce you to this healthy eating approach.Macrobiotic expertsrecommend including both cardio and yoga alongside your diet to experience total physical and spiritual well-being. Enjoy fresh and delicious healthy foods that work in harmony to make you feel immediately renewed and recharged.

Balance your Yin and Yang

Discover macrobiotic cuisine atSHA Wellness Clinic

A macrobiotic diet follows the principle that all foods can be divided into; hot, cold, sweet, sour and salty foods. The body’s natural balance of yin and yang can be upset by eating too much or too little of one type and this imbalance can result in physical and emotional ailments. A macrobiotic diet contains foods that have the ideal harmony of yin and yang and therefore allows our bodies to function correctly for optimum wellness. Promotinggood digestive health, the macrobiotic diet improves your overall health by eliminating cravings and balancing your emotions, allowing you to live life to the fullest.

Key nutritional guidelines to follow

For someone following a macrobiotic diet, carbs in the form of whole and unrefined grains are your best friends. Organic grains, vegetables and beans form the foundation of macrobiotic cuisine, with a focus placed on local and seasonal produce. Fruit, fish, oils and non-aromatic teas can be added, although sparingly, to ensure the yin and yang of the meal are not unbalanced. Dairy, caffeine and alcohol are to be avoided if following a strict macrobiotic diet, making it a healthy diet for adetox holidaythat will cleanse the system of toxins.

Easy to fit into modern life

A Guide to the Macrobiotic Diet & Cuisine - Health and Fitness Travel (3)

Learn how to keep making delicious and nutritious meals when you return home

The extent to which you follow a macrobiotic diet is flexible and very much based on your personal needs. Intended as a way of life, whether deciding to make a complete change or simply trying to make more mindful food choices, you have the option to start out gradually and incorporate elements over time. Moderation is the keystone of the macrobiotic diet, so enjoy an occasional dessert or co*cktail if you like, life is for the living. Whether you want tolearn how to detoxgradually or are diving into a strict macrobiotic diet headfirst, take it at your own pace and enjoy the journey.

Immediate results and benefits

You will feel and see a positive improvement in yourself immediately upon following a macrobiotic diet. Practitioners report feeling increased energy levels, clearer skin and a general feeling of increased well-being. As your yin and yang balance themselves you will notice cravings and feelings of hunger decreasing as your body receives the correct nutrition from the fresh and healthy produce. Macrobiotic cuisine is intended to make you more mindful of what your body needs and listening to your body can have a transformative effect, whether you are a dedicated or occasional follower.

Add exercise and treatments for complete wellness

A Guide to the Macrobiotic Diet & Cuisine - Health and Fitness Travel (4)

Supplement your macrobiotic diet with restorative yoga


Exercise and natural spa treatments are highly complementary to a macrobiotic diet. Rebalancing your body purifies and improves the quality of your blood, which when supplemented by exercise, promotes deeper detoxification. Cardio exercise assists in sweating out toxins while yoga teaches deep breathing and flexibility to further open your body to the energy channels of yin and yang. Combine healthy eating with exercise and slimming spa treatments on aweight loss holidayto experience total cleansing and rejuvenation. Flush out toxins with detoxifying treatments, such as lymphatic drainage massages, whilst nourishing your body with organic, fresh produce and watch as you glow with health.

Talk to one of our Travel Specialists on or contact us here to discuss tailor-making yourperfectwellness holiday.

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A Guide to the Macrobiotic Diet & Cuisine - Health and Fitness Travel (2024)

FAQs

Can you drink coffee on a macrobiotic diet? ›

All kinds of meat, dairy produce, spicy ingredients and fruit juices are forbidden. Coffee, soda, canned food, refined products (including sugar), eggs and all kinds of processed foods are not allowed.

What foods can you not eat on a macrobiotic diet? ›

Foods to avoid on a macrobiotic diet
  • meat.
  • dairy products.
  • eggs.
  • refined sugar.
  • animal fats.
  • artificial sweeteners or chemical additives.
  • genetically modified foods.
Apr 27, 2022

What exercises are allowed on the macrobiotic diet? ›

Macrobiotic experts recommend including both cardio and yoga alongside your diet to experience total physical and spiritual well-being. Enjoy fresh and delicious healthy foods that work in harmony to make you feel immediately renewed and recharged.

What are the three principles of a macrobiotic diet? ›

It revolves around three main food principles including: Yin and yang, which, in the context of food, means ingredients that warm up the body also give the body more energy, and are the yang, where yin foods cool us down and can be more refreshing; the second is acid and alkaline, meaning one should consume foods with ...

Is oatmeal macrobiotic? ›

A macrobiotic practitioner plans your diet by taking into consideration your age, sex, where you live and how much exercise you do. Generally, the diet is made up of: organic whole grains such as brown rice, barley, oats and buckwheat (half your food intake)

What do you eat for breakfast on a macrobiotic diet? ›

We recommend that your macrobiotic breakfast has a grain-based dish with light vegetables on the side. For the basis of any breakfast dish, some great grains for breakfast include, but are not limited to: Brown rice. Steel-cut oats.

Are bananas macrobiotic? ›

Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, asparagus, spinach, beets, zucchini, and avocados are examples of excluded vegetables. A macrobiotic diet also recommends consumption of locally-grown produce and avoidance of fruits that do not grow locally, such as bananas, pineapples and other tropical fruits.

What is the best rice for macrobiotic diet? ›

Brown rice is flavorful and delicious when made in the macrobiotic style. First the rice is washed and scoured, then soaked for a minimum of 6 hours.

Is peanut butter allowed on a macrobiotic diet? ›

This is a toughie – the basic answer is YES, nut butters can be macrobiotic. But the caveat is that nuts (and nut butters) should be eaten in moderation: maybe 2-3 times a week.

What famous people are on the macrobiotic diet? ›

Explainer / What is the macrobiotic diet loved by Hollywood celebs? Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts, Uma Thurman, Alicia Silverstone and Sting follow its holistic principles for glowing skin and better health.

What vegetables are macrobiotic? ›

Our Favorite Macrobiotic Vegetables
  • Watercress – Watercress is highly nourishing and refreshing. ...
  • Kale – Kale is a leafy, cruciferous vegetable that is rich in nutrients and minerals. ...
  • Napa/Chinese Cabbage – Napa is a leafy vegetable that is very flexible and adaptable.

Can you eat potatoes on a macrobiotic diet? ›

Some vegetables should be avoided: potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers particularly for those who have arthritis. Turnips, carrots, celeriac, the large white Japanese radishes (daikon); all these are good. Winter squashes are excellent.

Can I eat bread on a macrobiotic diet? ›

Although whole grains are preferred, small portions of pasta and bread from refined flour may be eaten. Fresh vegetables should comprise 25 to 30% of food intake.

Can you eat garlic on a macrobiotic diet? ›

Macrobiotic Diet Meal Guidelines

Include a variety of cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, arugula, kale, daikon, etc.). Include a variety of allium vegetables (onions, scallions, garlic, leeks, and shallots). Try to keep equal or more vegetables than grains by volume on your plate.

What is the American macrobiotic diet? ›

The diet tries to balance the supposed yin and yang elements of food and cookware. Major principles of macrobiotic diets are to reduce animal products, eat locally grown foods that are in season, and consume meals in moderation. Health effects from a diet avoiding refined foods and most animal products.

Does coffee affect gut bacteria? ›

Can all types of coffee affect gut microbiota? Yes, all types of coffee contain compounds that can interact with the gut microbiota, though the extent of the effect varies depending on the type of coffee and its chemical composition, including acidity levels.

Does coffee increase gut bacteria? ›

Although we can't say precisely why coffee drinkers tend to have higher microbiome diversities, it may be linked to the fact that coffee contains polyphenol and soluble fiber compounds that act as food for our beneficial 'good' gut microbes and increase their diversity and activity.

Is coffee OK on anti-inflammatory diet? ›

Research suggests that coffee does not cause inflammation in most people—even if your norm is more than one or two caffeinated cups a day. In fact, it's quite the opposite. According to a 2021 study in Nutrients, coffee may have anti-inflammatory effects on the body.

Is peanut butter allowed on macrobiotic diet? ›

This is a toughie – the basic answer is YES, nut butters can be macrobiotic. But the caveat is that nuts (and nut butters) should be eaten in moderation: maybe 2-3 times a week.

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