What is a macrobiotic diet and how will it change my life?

The macrobiotic diet is generally vegetarian that focuses on organic and natural food.

A macrobiotic diet is so much more than just another variation of a vegetarian diet, though it might look the same at first.

While a macrobiotic diet is generally vegetarian in nature, it consists of wholegrains, cereals, cooked vegetables and just a touch of meat and fish.

Think of it as a heart-healthy Japanese diet – without the tempura!

Adherents of the macrobiotic diet prefer locally-grown, natural, organic foods prepared and eaten in simple ways, such as baking, boiling and steaming. Chemically-processed foods are not allowed – this includes items such as coffee, chocolate, refined flour and preservatives.

According to Great Eastern Life, the essential aim of a macrobiotic diet is to balance the yin and yang in one’s diet, so spicy foods or other stimulating/concentrated foods that might upset nature’s delicate balance (such as alcohol) are not allowed.

Brown rice and grains such as barley, millet, oats and quinoa are considered to be very “balanced”, and play a large role in a macrobiotic diet.

Vegetables from the nightshade family, however, including tomatoes, eggplant, avocados, peppers, potatoes, are considered extremely yin. Thus, they are often excluded or used sparingly.

The simple and natural kimchi is ready after fermenting for one to two days.

How does it work?

The emphasis on unprocessed foods, as well as fruit and vegetables, means that a macrobiotic diet can be excellent for your health, especially when it comes to your heart. The macrobiotic diet is low in saturated fats and bad cholesterol, thus lowering your risk of heart disease.

Some followers of a macrobiotic diet claim that the diet is effective in treating cancer. There is no scientific proof, but low-fat, high-fibre diets that consist mainly of plant products are thought to reduce the risk of disease and some forms of cancer.

In fact, the link is so strong that the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States has funded a pilot study to determine whether a macrobiotic diet may prevent cancer.

I’d like to give it a try

Because processed foods are frowned upon, vitamin and mineral supplements are not allowed within a macrobiotic diet.

Nutritionists recommend that you seek advice before embarking on a macrobiotic diet to ensure you balance the yin and yang, as well as the nutritional elements of your diet to avoid vitamin or mineral deficiencies.

To get started, try incorporating these 10 top macrobiotic superfoods into your regular meals:

Seaweed – It’s rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals, low in calories. Try agar, wakame, hijiki or kombu.

Berries – These are loaded with vitamin C, folate, fibre and anti-oxidants. Try raspberries, blueberries, cherries or blackberries.

Leafy, green vegetables – These are full of vitamins A and C, iron and calcium, among others. Try kale, collard greens, watercress or arugula.

Pickles – Raw, fermented vegetables play a huge role in the macrobiotic diet – they are thought to protect against infection and stimulate your digestion. Try sauerkraut, kimchi or umeboshi.

Soy products – These are high in protein and nutrients, and are linked with heart-protective effects. Try tempeh, miso or tofu.

Oily fish – These are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and are rich in calcium and iron. Try sardines, salmon or mackerel.

Green tea – Not only does this taste great, it’s rich is catechin polyphenols, which are a power antioxidant.

Beans – High in fibre and low in fat, beans are a great source of complex carbohydrates in a macrobiotic diet. Try black beans, adzuki beans or chickpeas.

Mushrooms – Heart-healthy mushrooms are also thought to balance blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation. Try enoki, maitake or shiitake.

Nuts – Nuts are an excellent source of protein and unsaturated fat, which is good for your heart. Try walnuts, macadamias, Brazil nuts or pistachios.

---

To find out more about a macrobiotic diet, visit www.macrobiotics.co.uk/macrobiotics.htm for recipe ideas, nutritional information and more.

For other healthy living tips, visit Great Eastern Life’s Live Great portal. Besides the tips, there are articles and recipes, as well as wellness tools to conduct simple health risk assessments.

You can also obtain information on Live Great events like health and wellness talks, seminars and workshops, and Live Great partners’ promotions throughout the year.

You can find out more about Great Eastern Life’s activities and events through its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GreatEasternLifeMY.

In addition, Great Eastern Life is the exclusive event partner of The Star for the FitForLife Fair in Penang.

The theme for the fair is “Get Fit. Live Great!”, and it aims to inspire Malaysians to lead a healthy lifestyle and adopt a holistic approach to health that includes physical and mental fitness, financial health and general happiness.

This is a partnership in line with Great Eastern Life’s Live Great Programme introduced in 2012 as the first health and wellness programme by an insurance company in the region, designed to assist its customers in achieving their health goals.

The fair will be held in Spice Arena, Bayan Lepas from Oct 16-18, 11am to 7pm. Admission is free. For enquiries, call 03-7967 1388 (ext 1529/1243) or visit www.facebook.com/starhealthfair.

Come join us at the FitForLife Fair Penang 2015 for an awesome line up of exciting activities including exclusive deals and fantastic giveaways!