How the Macrobiotic Diet Creates Beautiful Skin
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Macrobiotic Diet Origin
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A Japanese philosopher named George Ohsawa founded the macrobiotic diet after curing himself of a major illness. He ate only brown rice, sea vegetables, and soup. From his experience, he saw this diet as a way to cure cancer and other diseases because of its simplicity, as well as being high in fiber, low in fat, and meatless.
Choosing a macrobiotic diet is a lifestyle change, not just another popular diet. It's similar to eating a vegan or vegetarian diet. Among many benefits, the macrobiotic diet enhances your physical beauty, including your skin.
Foods Allowed
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About 50 to 60 percent of the macrobiotic diet consists of whole grains, such as brown rice, oats, and whole wheat, while 20 to 30 percent is made up of fresh vegetables, which are eaten raw, steamed, or sauteed. Additionally, 5 to 10 percent is of soup made with sea vegetables (seaweed), beans, or miso---and another 5 to 10 percent includes nuts, seeds, and fruit.
Drink only pure water and herbal teas.
To sweeten food, use brown rice syrup or stevia, an herb.
Variations of this diet include fish and soy, such as tofu and soy milk.
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Foods Not Allowed
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Caffeine and alcohol are not allowed on this diet. All meats, eggs, and dairy products are not permitted. Avoid white bread, white flour, white sugar, spices, and processed foods. Refrain from taking vitamins.
Beautify Your Skin
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What you eat directly affects the way you look. The macrobiotic diet has no impurities and is a balanced diet. One of the first things you'll notice is how beautiful and youthful your skin looks. Your skin will become smooth, clear, and wrinkles will be diminished.
Vitamin E is an anti-aging supplement, which helps to slow down the aging process of skin cells. In the macrobiotic diet, vitamin E is found in raw almonds, legumes, avocados, and green leafy vegetables.
Whole grains, such as brown rice, oats, and whole wheat, contain the B vitamins. These vitamins keep the skin moisturized and stimulate collagen to reduce fine lines. Collagen is the connective tissue in the skin, keeping it firm and elastic. Spirulina, a blue-green algae, is a great vitamin B-12 source.
Since you're eating raw or steamed vegetables, the beta carotene (which converts to vitamin A) from carrots, for example, will make your complexion smooth and help it glow. Vitamin A also helps increase collagen.
Vitamin C is found in fruits and some vegetables---and stimulates collagen and rejuvenates your skin.
Zinc helps to prevent wrinkles. You'll get zinc in this diet from eating vegetables such as okra, mushrooms, beans, peanuts, as well as whole grains like brown rice and whole wheat. The highest concentration of zinc for non-meats is in pumpkin seeds.
Drinking pure water throughout the day keeps the skin moisturized from the inside out. Your skin will look bright, clear, and supple.
Cautions
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Since vitamins are not allowed in this diet, check with your doctor first before starting the macrobiotic diet. Those who are anemic may need to supplement with iron and/or increased vitamin B-12.
If you need additional protein than found in the vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds you are eating, consider adding fish and soy products to this diet.
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- Photo Credit Chyrene Pendleton
