General Principles of Zen Macrobiotic Diet

The Zen Macrobiotic diet originated over a century ago and has become very popular today. It recommends the principles of harmonious living with nature through a balanced whole foods diet. Importance is also given to a healthy lifestyle combined with respect for the environment. The main constituents of Zen diet include more of cereal grains with minimum proportions of legumes, seaweeds and vegetables.

The Zen Macrobiotic diet though not absolutely vegetarian is predominantly so. According to the general principles outlined in the diet, about 40 to 60 percent of caloric intake must come from whole grains including rice, barley, oats, millet, wheat, corn, rye and buckwheat.

The Zen Macrobiotic Diet asks dieters to guard against the consumption of sugared, processed, canned, dyed, adulterated or bottled food.  It also suggests that dieters must refrain from eating foods that have been imported from long distance and not to eat foods which have been manufactured using chemical fertilizers, pesticides or preservatives. According to this diet, you must not eat foods or vegetables that are out of season. You must also abstain from eating yin vegetables, such as tomatoes, egg plant and potatoes. It advises to guard against use of too much chemical seasonings or spices. You must also not drink black tea or coffee or consume refined food stuffs such as yeasted foods or those that contain baking soda.

The Zen diet recommends you to chew your food thoroughly and cook all food in gas fire as electricity can cause chaotic microwaves in the body. According to the diet principles, foods are the foundation of happiness and health and lead to healthy living. Sodium and potassium are complementary and antagonistic food elements which determine the “yin / yang” quality of each food. Grain is the appropriate food for consumption by mankind. It is better to eat foods that are natural, whole and unrefined. Locally grown food is better than imported ones.

Owing to its health benefits and feeling of well being, the Zen Macrobiotic diet has hundreds of followers currently.