PREVIEW Macrobiotic diets combine the concepts of Buddhist spirituality and certain dietary principles with the goal of balancing spiritual and physical wellness. Macrobiotic diets aim to avoid the "toxins" that come from eating dairy products, meats, and oily foods. A macrobiotic diet consists largely of whole grains, cereals, and cooked vegetables. The macrobiotic diet is low in meat and low in other foods that are high in zinc. Milk products are a good source of zinc for those who consume them. Zinc absorption from plant foods is poor when the foods contain phytate and oxalate inhibitors. Macrobiotic diets are high in foods high in the zinc inhibitor phytic acid (e.g., soy products, beans, lentils, peas, nuts, and whole grains). Good plant sources of zinc are zinc-fortified cereals, and yeast-fermented foods that reduce the phytic acid content of whole-grain breads, rather than refined white bread. Zinc supplements are also good sources of zinc that may be acceptable to some macrobiotics. Fermented soyfoods, like tempeh and miso, and sprouted legumes may have more bioavailable zinc than unfermented foods like tofu and soymilk. The main advantage of the Macrobiotic diet is the cleansing that happens to the body of all stored up toxins, excess fat and even stored up dark/sad emotions. It is a very sattvic diet that helps you keep a calm mind and soul. It heals illnesses without medicines or needing very little medication. Macrobiotic diet is very popular with cancer patients as they are usually recommended high fiber and low fat foods. Vegetables, beans and whole grains in the macrobiotic diet guarantee high fiber and low fat content, thus avoiding high fat and saturated fat. There is also the presence of phytoestrogens in this diet with soyfood and this is known to mitigate the menstrual problems that bother women most often. Many nutritionists believe the macrobiotic diet-especially the one propagated by George Ohsawa is a very restrictive diet. The diet is stepped up in different stages and at once stage the practitioner is allowed only brown rice and water. Avoidance of dairy food in the diet leads to a severe calcium deficiency that is compensated through nuts and green leafy vegetables, only to a certain extent. Order a Copy Now!