Is the macrobiotic diet a vegan diet?
The macrobiotic diet though it does not advocate a vegetarian or vegan diet includes very little amount of animal based food products. The macrobiotic diet lays emphasis on cereals which constitute the bulk of the diet (about 50-60%). The diet is based on the principles of Yin and Yang (property of duality); foods are classified according to their characteristics like for example the degree of their saltiness and sweetness or whether they are acidic or alkaline in nature.
The macrobiotic diet does not forbid non vegetarian food but classifies foods like poultry and meat as being extremes of Yin and Yang and hence asks to limit their intake. The diet recommends maximum intake of fruits, vegetables, salads and pulses along with cereals as the ideal combination with limited amounts of animal products according to the time of the year. Essentially the macrobiotic diet advises one to live in harmony with nature by consuming foods that are ideal according to place, climate as well as the age and activity level of the person.
Tags: macrobiotic diet, vegetarian diet