The revival of macrobiotic lifestyle or diet in the modern context is attributed to the Japanese educator, Mr. John Ohsawa, who is said to have used macrobiotic living and cured himself of a serious illness in the 1920s. According to his writings, macrobiotic’s core is the concept of Yin and Yang, two opposing forces, the first causing expansion and the latter, contraction. In Chinese philosophy, it is also mentioned that yin is cold while yang is hot; yin is sweet while yang is salty; and yin is passive and yang is aggressive. When these two complimentary phenomenons come in the right balance, health and longevity automatically imbibes in such a body.

So, how one has to change his/her diet to do a bit of a macrobiotic act? Well, it is just about squeezing out a macrobiotic diet plan that suits one’s health and age. The ideal macrobiotic diet must consist of 50-60% of wholegrain cereals, 25-30% vegetables and fruits (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, bok choy, and mustard greens, to name a few), sea vegetables and beans (10%), soups (5%), and few servings of fresh fish (flounder, halibut, cod), seeds, and nuts. In fact, one is free to schedule his/her diet according to his/her pickings, the only thing to take note is that the diet plan must confirm to the above mentioned classification.

Finally, while devising the macrobiotic diet for oneself, care must be taken to avoid those food items that are either entirely yin or yang. For example, dairy products and eggs are predominantly yin, and victuals such as chocolate, refined sugars, soda, fruit juice, coffee, tropical fruits, and hot spices are strongly yang. The bottom line is there must be the right balance between yin and yang.