How to Avoid Forbidden Foods on a Macrobiotic Diet

Unfortunately, many yummy foods are strictly forbidden on the macrobiotic diet. Staunch advocates of this diet believe such foods will throw your natural balance off course. It can be challenging starting a diet that could change your entire lifestyle, but going macrobiotic is not that tough if you focus on the health benefits and learn how to prepare some tasty recipes.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Teff flour
• Tofu
• Buckwheat noodles
• Vegetable broth
• Recipes

1. Avoid unnatural foods. Eating any type of processed foods is strictly forbidden on a macrobiotic diet. Processed foods have been altered from their natural state, often to give them a longer shelf life. Avoid any products in which the methods used for processing foods include canning, freezing, refrigeration or dehydration.

2. Keep away from sugary ingredients and white flour. In general, stay away from refined foods, especially high fructose corn syrup. Replace all the white flour in your home with whole grains and wheat flour. You can buy rice noodles, crackers and breads made with acceptable ingredients.

3. Stay away from animal products, including red meat, poultry and dairy products like cheese. This is a tough way of life to adhere to for some, but others learn ways to create a delicious and bountiful menu. For instance, use tofu in your cooking to absorb flavors and create the same texture of meat. And, buckwheat noodles prepared in vegetable broth is a surefire comfort soup for a macrobiotic dieter.

4. Rid your cabinets and refrigerator of any caffeinated products, including coffee, chocolate and soda. Such items are prohibited since the macrobiotic philosophy suggests that these are "extreme" foods and considered unbalanced. For example, if a food is either too sweet, too salty or loaded with preservatives, it is thought to disrupt your lifestyle and your overall nutritional balance.

5. Follow recipes geared toward a macrobiotic diet. Find out how to use lotus root to better your respiratory health and tips for rolling nori, a dried sea vegetable, at the Macrobiotic Guide website (see Resources below). Here, you will also explore what coconut oils to avoid and how to use macro recipes.

Tips & Warnings

• Use Maskal teff flour to make pancakes, pastries or as a thickener in soups and gravy so you can avoid using white flour--a forbidden ingredient in the world of a macrobiotic.
• Even though fruit drinks and some teas seem like a good choice for a healthy diet, those on a macrobiotic plan steer clear of fruit juices, colored teas and all aromatic stimulating teas such as mint or peppermint.

Resources

• Recipes at the Macrobiotic Guide site

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.