What’s the macrobiotic diet loved by Hollywood celebs, from Madonna to Gwyneth? (2024)

Lights, camera, action! Hollywood stars spend much of their time in front of the cameras and on the red carpet, so it’s no surprise that many of them have dedicated beauty and fitness routines.

We often make the mistake of thinking that they use unattainable skincare products or even go under the knife to look youthful, but the key is in a good exercise plan and an ideal eight-hour rest. Food is also essential since the skin will appear radiant and clear with a balanced diet. One of Quentin Tarantino’s favourite actresses, cult classic Pulp Fiction star Uma Thurman, has shared that her diet consists of whole and natural foods only.

Why do celebrities swear by the macrobiotic diet?

There’s a plethora of diet trends that come and go, and celebrities are usually pretty quick to jump in on the season’s latest fad. While some A-listers stick to fresh, unprocessed foods to stay healthy, others pick up on some bizarre diets that may not be backed by scientific research. From Beyoncé’s “master cleanse” to Katy Perry’s mushroom-rich diets, each type clearly provides different benefits, but we should probably take them all with a grain of star-dusted salt.

But one diet seems to be a common denominator in Hollywood – the macrobiotic diet. Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow has said that she lives by it – and she’s not the only one.

Pop icon Madonna also sticks to a macrobiotic diet on most days, incorporating beans, nuts and veggies like broccoli, kale, pumpkin, radishes and carrots. Sea vegetables like seaweed, spirulina and kombu are also on the menu since these cancer-fighting, water-dwelling plants are considered some of the world’s healthiest foods.

Madonna’s diet also includes “a lot of fish”, per Body Building, but she avoids eating meat and dairy. Her choices of beverages seem to be coconut water, ginger and yerba tea, and she avoids sodas, alcohol and caffeine.

According to Life & Style, the “Material Girl” herself said, “I wasn’t born with Gisele Bündchen’s body, so you got to work for it.” The former Victoria’s Secret model puts in her own fair share of hard work, to be fair.

So what exactly is the macrobiotic diet and why do celebs love it?

How does the macrobiotic diet work?

The word macrobiotic comes from Greek words macro, which means large or long, and bio, which means life. The diet was developed by a Japanese philosopher called George Ohsawa. In fact, macrobiotic extends beyond the diet – it is a system of holistic principles and dynamic practices that guide nutrition, activity and lifestyle for physical, emotional, social and environmental health, with rules about what you eat and how you cook your food.

According to Srdjan “Serg” Dobic, a Hong Kong-based macrobiotic nutrition and lifestyle counsellor, whole foods such as brown rice are central to the diet. He also advises eating millet, polenta and quinoa, to switch up the variety of your complex carbs intake. Dobic and his mother, who have their own macrobiotic consultancy in California, have worked with Hollywood celebrities like Madonna, Alicia Silverstone and Steven Seagal.

In the 20th century, a few teachers emerged, such as Michio Kushi and his first wife Aveline, who founded the Kushi Institute after immigrating to the US from Japan. They propagated Ohsawa’s ideas and interpreted them for modern, industrialised life. The couple also founded the celeb-fave health store Erewhon Market in Boston in 1966.

But in 2011, Tony and Josephine Antoci bought the grocery store’s only location in Los Angeles – and transformed it into the famous outpost that has become every influencer’s dream today.

Does the macrobiotic really prevent cancer?

According to Michio Kushi’s book, The Cancer Prevention Diet, macrobiotics emphasise locally grown whole grain cereals, legumes, vegetables, seaweed, fermented soy products such as tempeh and miso, fruits, mild natural seasonings, fish, nuts, seeds and mild (non-stimulating) beverages such as roasted barley and shiitake mushroom tea. Meals are prepared according to the principle of balance.

Foods are typically classified into two categories, yin and yang food. Yin foods (stimulating) include sugar, alcohol, processed food, coffee, refined flour products, milk, dairy and tropical fruits. Yang foods (strengthening) include cereals, whole grains (wheat, rye, corn, oats, nuts), seeds, fruits, vegetables, sea algae and sometimes fish. In addition, all foods should be chewed at least 30 times before swallowing.

Who invented the macrobiotic diet?

Ohsawa is believed to be the central figure behind the philosophy. He spent most of his life outside Japan, where he was intent on bringing Eastern principles of health (hence the yin and yang foods) to Western society.

With over 300 articles, papers and books published where he described general systems of well-being, Ohsawa became famous in the 1950s and 1960s in the US. Some credit his 1961 publication, Zen Macrobiotics, with sparking the local, organic food movements in America. If he were still alive today, he would very much be championed as a wellness guru.

What are the benefits of the macrobiotic diet?

Hippocrates, the Greek “father of medicine” is a strong believer in “let food be thy medicine” – and the macrobiotic diet largely focuses on whole foods and vegetables, so you’ll be getting a lot of good food into you. It’s packed with gut-loving fibre and disease-fighting antioxidants. Moreover, the philosophy focuses on mindful eating, which is important when it comes to making healthy choices daily. While it’s very hard for some to eliminate sugar, alcohol and caffeine entirely, you will start feeling good when these are out of your system, and replaced with rejuvenating drinks instead.

Dobic also said that a macrobiotic diet is adaptable to different seasons and climates, so you can customise your menu according to what’s available in the area where you live. “It’s about quality over quantity,” he stressed, adding that there are also medicinal drinks that can heal health issues, such as ume sho kuzu. Known as macrobiotic probiotic, this arrowroot and plum tea can help promote good digestion, remedy colds and even ease menstrual cramps.

Which celebs follow macrobiotic diet?

In an interview with CNN’s Larry King, Madonna described her typical dinner as “fish, some kind of grains, some kind of cooked vegetable, [and] salad. Simple, but tasty.” For dessert, “When I’m sneaking and I’m having a moment of decadence, I eat toast with strawberry jam,” she told King. The diet is clearly working for her as the “Queen of Pop” is still touring incessantly in her 60s.

Her former private chef Mayumi Nishimura even published a cookbook titled Mayumi’s Kitchen: Macrobiotic Cooking for Body and Soul. In the preface to Nishimura’s book, Madonna wrote: “Not only are you the best chef in the world … your amazing food helped me to be a happier, healthier person, balanced in body and mind.”

Another celebrity who swears by the diet is Clueless actress Alicia Silverstone. The 47-year-old actress credits it for her flawless skin and shared in her book The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight and Saving the Planet: “Although I felt good as a vegan, I had even more energy when I adopted the macrobiotic suggestions.”

Other celebrities include Oscar-winning Julia Roberts and musician Sting.

The verdict: does the macrobiotic diet really work?

While this diet may be too restrictive for some, experts argue it’s incredibly worthwhile for others. According to Harvard nutritionist Dr Frederick W. Stare, “The macrobiotic diet is a healthy diet,” per The New York Times.

It may seem like a no-brainer that a diet that prioritises non-GMO whole grains, organic vegetables and fruits is good for us, but lest we forget, it’s also healthy for the planet. The landscape of sustainable fine dining is flourishing globally now, redefining what it means to be affluent today.

Luxury is no longer just about indulging in sea urchins and Wagyu steaks. It’s apparent that the paradigm has shifted in the past few years, where dining with a conscience is hip – and you get to look fabulous while you’re at it, too.