Mediterranean Diet - SHI Macrobiotics (2024)

Macrobiotics,Noun (used with a singular verb), A system of holistic principles and dynamic practices that guides choices in nutrition, activity, and lifestyle for physical, emotional, mental, social, and environmental health.

Macrobiotic,Adjective,such as macrobiotic philosophy or macrobiotic diet.

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We have all heard the statistics about the increase in obesity from processed foods, soda, and sugars. Because of this there has been an abundance of diet tips,diet profiles, and diet books claiming to be thebest diet to lose weight. Even with all the diet information, individuals struggle to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle balance.

It has become hard to figure out whichdietswill work, if a diet is healthy, and if that diet will help in the long run. In this article, we will discuss thediet profilesof Mediterranean dietversus amacrobiotic diet. Where they come from, their similarities and differences, and which one isbest for a healthy lifestyle.

About the Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet is based on the diets of people from Crete, Greece, and Southern Italy. Furthermore, Mediterranean diet has become popular because individuals show low rate of heart disease, chronic disease, and obesity. Moreover, a Mediterranean diet profile focuses on whole grains, good fats (fish, olive oil, nuts etc.), vegetables, fruits, fish, and very low consumption of any non-fish meat. Along with food, the Mediterranean diet emphasizes the need to spend time eating with family and physical activity.

The New Mediterranean Diet Pyramid

Mediterranean Diet - SHI Macrobiotics (1)

The new Mediterranean diet pyramid has the same food categories but advocates for less carbs since modern life is more sedentary. From the new Mediterranean diet pyramid, a Mediterranean diet meal plan would be:

Breakfast:Oatmeal with Walnuts
Snack:Fruit
Lunch:Green Salad with olives, chickpeas, cucumbers
Snack:Nuts
Dinner:Cod with Vegetables and Couscous

About the Macrobiotic Diet

Mediterranean Diet - SHI Macrobiotics (2)

On the other hand, macrobiotic diet is inspired by the eating habits and lifestyles of the world’s longest standing civilizations. Similar to the Mediterranean diet, the macrobiotic diet has success in helping individuals with chronic disease, obesity, and heart health. The macrobiotic diet profile highlights equal parts grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits/nuts/seeds. Additionally, seasonal foods, local foods, soups, pickled and fermented foods, seasonings, natural sweeteners, and mild beverages are recommended with little to no animal products.

Unlike the Mediterranean diet, macrobiotics, meaning great life, is considered more of a lifestyle than diet. It is a lifestyle because it uses healthy food choices to assist individuals with finding balance and harmony in their life. Macrobiotics is about being mindful, connecting, and discovering healthy patterns through food. If an individual is healthy, then they will inspire strong, mindful, and flexible families, communities, and environments.

The Lifestyle and Macrobiotic Diet Food Pyramid

Mediterranean Diet - SHI Macrobiotics (3)

The macrobiotic diet food pyramid represents the importance of finding structure, daily habits, and harmony to improve stress management, mental health, and physical health. With this in mind, here is a samplemacrobiotic diet meal plan:

Breakfast:Oatmeal & Steamed Greens
Snack:Steamed Sweet Potatoes
Lunch:Steamed Sourdough Bread with Tahini & Sauerkraut & Miso Soup with Tofu
Snack:Seeds or Nuts
Dinner:Pasta Primavera & Salad

Best Diet to Maintain Health

The Mediterranean diet and the macrobiotic diet are both great for heart health, obesity, and chronic disease because of the large portions of food being healthy vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and grains. However, the Mediterranean diet is not about specific amounts. They are vague about how much you should eat of each category, which can be a struggle for those attempting to lose weight.

The Strengthening Health version of the macrobiotic diet specifies the amounts by 25% grains, 25% legumes, 25% vegetables, and 25% fruit, nuts and seeds. Individuals will then have an easier time knowing how much they should eat and what meals to prepare using these basic guidelines.

Another issue often with diets is not only the ability to lose the weight but keeping it off. We can emotionally eat, havefood addiction, and have cravings for processed foods. According to American Psychological Association, “Thirty-eight percent of adults say they have overeaten or eaten unhealthy foods in the past month because of stress. Then after having overeaten unhealthy foods, half of adults (49 percent) report feeling disappointed in themselves, 46 percent report feeling bad about their bodies and more than one-third (36 percent) say they feel sluggish or lazy.”

Even though the Mediterranean diet stresses people spending time with family and physical activity, it does not dive into the harder parts of sticking with a diet. The macrobiotic diet was created based on the longest standing civilizations to discover foods that make you feel good about yourself and your health.

Both the Mediterranean diet and macrobiotic practice have many pros to their diets but when it comes to the best diet to transform your life, the macrobiotic diet practice has more to offer. Check out a couple of quick and easy macrobiotic recipes to get started. The macrobiotic diet is about being mindful of our stressors, discovering foods that strengthen us mentally and physically, and connect us to the universe. Learn more about our macrobiotic courses.

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Macrobiotics

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

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Mediterranean Diet - SHI Macrobiotics (2024)

FAQs

Mediterranean Diet - SHI Macrobiotics? ›

The macrobiotic diet profile highlights equal parts grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits/nuts/seeds. Additionally, seasonal foods, local foods, soups, pickled and fermented foods, seasonings, natural sweeteners, and mild beverages are recommended with little to no animal products.

What is the Mediterranean macrobiotic diet? ›

The macrobiotic diet profile highlights equal parts grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits/nuts/seeds. Additionally, seasonal foods, local foods, soups, pickled and fermented foods, seasonings, natural sweeteners, and mild beverages are recommended with little to no animal products.

What is not allowed on the Mediterranean diet? ›

The Mediterranean diet is high in plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. Foods not allowed include processed red meats, heavily processed foods, refined grains, alcohol, butter, and refined/processed/hydrogenated oils.

What is the macro split for the Mediterranean diet? ›

Moving back to macronutrients, the typical ratios of the Mediterranean diet have been found to be 50-60% carbohydrates, 15-20% protein and 30% fats, which is considered a fairly balanced split.

What diet is similar to the Mediterranean diet? ›

The Atlantic diet is a cousin to the Mediterranean diet, which is linked to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke, improved brain, gut and cardiovascular health, reduced cancer risk and reduced risk of diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, among other benefits.

What is a typical Mediterranean breakfast? ›

Common Mediterranean Breakfast Foods

Yogurt: We love Greek yogurt which is higher in protein, and lower in sugar. Eggs: A great source of protein and healthy fats. Oats: A healthy whole grain used in oatmeal and baked goods. Fruit: All types of fruit are encouraged on the Mediterranean diet.

Are eggs allowed on a Mediterranean diet? ›

The foundation of the Mediterranean diet is plant foods. That means meals are built around vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, beans and whole grains. Moderate amounts of dairy, poultry and eggs are part of the Mediterranean diet, as is seafood.

What are 5 negatives from the Mediterranean diet? ›

Possible Health Concerns
  • You may gain weight from eating fats in olive oil and nuts.
  • You may have lower levels of iron. ...
  • You may have calcium loss from eating fewer dairy products. ...
  • Wine is a common part of a Mediterranean eating style but some people should not drink alcohol.
Jul 30, 2022

Are bananas OK on the Mediterranean diet? ›

You can base your diet on these foods: Vegetables: tomatoes, broccoli, kale, spinach, onions, cauliflower, carrots, Brussels sprouts, cucumbers, potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips. Fruits: apples, bananas, oranges, pears, strawberries, grapes, dates, figs, melons, peaches.

Is peanut butter ok on a Mediterranean diet? ›

And as plant-based protein sources that are high in good and unsaturated fats, peanuts and peanut butter are a natural fit within Mediterranean and Flexitarian ways of eating. Unfamiliar with the Mediterranean and Flexitarian diets?

What are the best carbs for the Mediterranean diet? ›

Choose oats, barley, quinoa or brown rice; Bake or roast red skin potatoes or sweet potatoes; Choose whole grain bread, cereal, couscous and pasta; Limit or avoid refined carbohydrates.

How many pounds can you lose each week with Mediterranean diet? ›

This seven-day Mediterranean diet plan helps you practice those habits with help from good-for-you foods and delicious Mediterranean diet-inspired ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for a full week of healthy eating. At 1,200 calories you're on track to lose a healthy 1 to 2 pounds per week.

Is oatmeal OK on Mediterranean diet? ›

Absolutely to all three! Oats are a whole grain, which is encouraged on the Mediterranean diet. Low or moderate amounts of cheese, such as brie, feta, ricotta, and Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan), are also allowed. All types of fresh fruits, including bananas, are a go on the diet.

What is a substitute for butter on the Mediterranean diet? ›

Brozek recommends substituting both butter and margarine with olive oil or canola oil whenever possible. This falls more in line with a Mediterranean diet, which is high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats have been proven to be the best types of fats.

What are the top 10 foods on a Mediterranean diet? ›

10 foods to add to your Mediterranean lifestyle
  • Extra virgin olive oil. ...
  • Walnuts. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Blueberries. ...
  • Wild salmon as a healthy animal protein. ...
  • Garlic for a reduced risk of cancer. ...
  • Oregano as an anti-inflammatory agent. ...
  • Mushrooms for a mental health boost.
Feb 3, 2022

What foods can you eat on a macrobiotic diet? ›

The term macrobiotic is derived from the Greek words macro (large) and bios (life). Thus, the diet translates to food and lifestyle choices that are in harmony with nature. Most of the foods in a macrobiotic diet should come from organically or locally grown whole grains, vegetables, beans, and sea vegetables.

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 ...

Can you eat eggs on a macrobiotic diet? ›

Foods to avoid on a macrobiotic diet

Foods to avoid include : meat. dairy products. eggs.

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