The macrobiotic diet is a popular diet in Hollywood, with many A-listers such as Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow following it. But what exactly does the diet entail and is it good for you?
A diet favoured by Hollywood A-listers like Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow could help to lower your risk of heart disease and cancer.
The macrobiotic diet, often seen as a lifestyle rather than a diet due to its strict food guidelines, is all about consuming simple, healthy foods to cleanse the body of ‘toxins’.
Typically, followers of this diet eat locally sourced organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains such as oats and brown rice, and soups made from veggies, seaweed, and lentils.
While many may choose to follow a diet more closely similar to veganism, there are some who occasionally eat organic meat or fish. Madonna herself reportedly eats nuts, broccoli, kale, pumpkin, carrots, radishes and beans.
Similarly, Gwyneth Paltrow, who previously spoke of following the diet, highlighted that the essential core of the diet is focusing on a set of criteria for what to eat. In an interview with the HuffPost, she highlighted that the fundamentals of the diet is “eating local, organic, seasonal food that isn’t processed”.
What are the benefits of a macrobiotic diet?
George Ohsawa, the original creator of the macrobiotic diet, professed that it could ward off cancer and other severe illnesses. He even claimed to have cured his own tuberculosis at 19 by adhering to Chinese dietary principles, which he later moulded into the macrobiotic diet.
However, Cancer Research UK emphasises that there is no scientific proof that the macrobiotic diet can prevent or cure cancer. That said, this doesn’t negate the diet’s potential health benefits.
Research shows that a moderate macrobiotic diet can improve health. For example, people who have followed a macrobiotic diet for many years tend to have less fat on their bodies and lower cholesterol levels.
This means they’re less likely to develop heart disease, breast cancer and other cancers associated with a high-fat diet. However, it’s crucial to remember that these benefits can also be achieved through a standard healthy and balanced diet.
What to watch out for on the macrobiotic diet
There are several downsides linked to the macrobiotic diet that you should bear in mind if you’re considering giving it a go. One of the most significant is the risk of malnutrition due to the absence of dairy or animal products in the diet.
The absence of these in your diet could mean your body isn’t getting enough protein, calcium, calories, iron, and vitamins. Malnutrition can lead to a variety of serious health issues and symptoms, including unintentional weight loss, fatigue, weakness, and an increased susceptibility to illness.
In fact, early versions of the macrobiotic diet recommended that people only consume whole grains and water, leading to severe malnutrition and even death in some cases. Moreover, maintaining a macrobiotic diet can be quite costly.
This is due to the fact that whole organic foods often come with a higher price tag than regular groceries. Those who seek advice from macrobiotic practitioners will likely also have to fork out a fee, which can add up over time.
If you’re thinking about making drastic changes to your diet in the hope of reaping health benefits, it’s crucial to first consult your GP or a health specialist who can offer professional medical advice.