Home
>
Nutrition
>
Macrobiotics: Diet and Lifestyle for Long-term Health

Macrobiotics: Diet and Lifestyle for Long-term Health

A frequent misunderstanding about macrobiotics is that it is a diet sick people use - cancer patients especially - in order to heal. While it is true that a macrobiotic approach has helped a great many people get well, macrobiotics is much more than a mere diet, and it is for everyone. Whether you're recovering from illness or simply interested in having greater vitality, macrobiotics is a wholistic, natural system for good health and long life.

"Let food by thy medicine, and medicine thy food," is a saying from the ancient Greek philosopher Hippocrates, who also coined the term "macrobiotics." In Greek, "makro" means long or large, and "bio" means life. A macrobiotic approach to good health begins with food and cooking, extending to include lifestyle and exercise. Daily walks, a grateful state of mind, and meditation for centering oneself are among the practices of the system. Its purpose is to create a state of health that supports rather than prevents a full and vibrant life.

Since Hippocrates coined the term, we know that the principles of macrobiotics have been around a long time. They're the same concepts that you'll find in any modern day nutrition or fitness class: high fiber, low fat, plenty of vegetables and grains, limited meat. Going beyond these basics, macrobiotics also includes healing foods such as sea vegetables and ginger root.

To bring balance to one's physical and emotional condition through utilizing food is the macrobiotic focus. Foods that have nutritional and energetic balance - yin and yang - are used: legumes, beans, whole grains, and vegetables dominate. Red meat, dairy, refined sugar, and coffee are examples of foods without balance and they are eliminated. For flavor, variety, and seasonal virtue, some oils, nuts, and fruits are used in small amounts. The variety adds interest and also increases the nutrient range. The end result is food both wholesome and delicious.

It is critically important that the food tastes good because food is sensual, and if it doesn't appeal to our senses, we won't eat it in the long run. It might take a bit of time to develop the taste for macrobiotic cuisine because it is light and elegant in its simplicity. Here is an example of typically combined macrobiotic ingredients for an easy and tasty meal.

*Nutty Rice with Vegetables*

Cook 2 cups short or long grain brown rice in sea-salted water (2 and 1/2 cups water with 2 pinches sea salt). Cover the pot tightly for 30-40 minutes on very low heat.

Parboil these vegetables separately for two minutes or less: 1/4 cup diced carrot, and 1/4 cup diced red onion, and 2 cups florets of broccoli. Allow to cool.

In a dry frying pan toast 1/2 cup walnuts over medium heat for five minutes. Puree the toasted walnuts with one teaspoon barley miso dissolved in some water.

Mix together the vegetables, rice, and puree. Then add the grated peel of a lemon. Serve this dish warm or cool, rather than hot or cold. Enjoy!

Grace M. Navarro's articles on topics related to diet are published in alta diet news the leading resource on-line for information about diets. Visit the complete archive of articles here: alta diet news

affordable house cleaning Wilmette ..

In The News:

New phishing scam targets family photos with fake 'cloud storage full' alerts. Criminals steal credit card info through fake sites. Learn protection tips.

South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.

Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALL·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.

Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.

Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.

Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.

Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.

New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.

Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.

The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.

Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.

Fox News Digital's artificial intelligence newsletter digs into a robot in Russia that faceplanted, George Clooney's alarm and OpenAI's rivalry with the New York Times.

Major data breach at Conduent exposes personal information of 10+ million people. Government contractor hit by cyberattack affecting Medicaid, child support systems.

Texas startup Janta Power raises $5.5M for innovative vertical solar towers that generate 50% more energy than traditional panels while using just one-third the land.

NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft launched aboard Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket Thursday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, beginning their journey to Mars with arrival expected in 2027.

Learn how to set email reminders on iPhone and Android so you never forget to reply again. Simple built-in features help you stay organized and on top of messages.

Discover how Apple's passkeys revolutionize Mac security by replacing vulnerable passwords with biometric authentication and encryption for ultimate protection.

New survey reveals 78% of parents fear AI scams targeting their kids, yet nearly half haven't discussed these threats. Learn why this dangerous gap exists.

Macrobiotics: Diet and Lifestyle for Long-term Health

Nutrition