How to Start Macrobiotic Diet Step by Step

How to start macrobiotic diet

Many people decide to start macrobiotic diet when they face certain illness or condition. Standard American diet has become unhealthy and many people are considering macrobiotic diet to be their choice.

But, there is no such thing as switching from standard to macrobiotic diet over night. Macrobiotic diet doesn’t mean only choosing between different kinds of food. Macrobiotic diet means special way of live, and things such food preparation, cooking time and utensils are all considered to be important part of macrobiotics.

This is why becoming a macrobiotic and eating by macrobiotic principles is a process which lasts from four to six months. Switching from standard American diet to macrobiotics can be easily done through detailed steps.

It doesn’t necessarily mean that one should go through all the steps. Some people will be satisfied by changing only the part of their diet and some will change it completely. And, that’s the main beauty of macrobiotic diet, it gives you many benefits and lots of choices that can be applied based on anyone’s needs, wishes and health status.

If you are basically step-by-step person and don’t like any strict changes, getting used to macrobiotic diet through this step by step process shouldn’t be a big problem.

The most important areas that distinguish standard diet from macrobiotic diet are:

• Carbohydrates
• Protein
• Sweeteners
• Drinks
• Stimulants.

First of all, you will find here some general guidelines (presented through steps) how to gradually change the standard to macrobiotic diet. This can also serve as an improvement plan for people suffering from conditions that can be cured naturally.

However, most people decide to start with macrobiotic diet when they face serious illness or condition. In that case changing the diet completely and going through all steps is recommended and it is beneficial for overall health.

Step by step process of changing the standard to macrobiotic diet

It is practically impossible to change the complete diet into macrobiotic one over night. It takes time for the organism to get used to new tastes and new kinds of food. Our bodies expect certain food, this is why it is important to make the gradual change, so that the body feels minimum stress caused by the new food and new preparation and cooking techniques.

This is step by step process, which can help you change your diet during several months without any stress and confusion. In case of any serious illness, the process can be shortened and done in less than a few months.

Nevertheless, this guide can help organizing the diet easily focusing on important things.

These were the general steps how to change standard diet into macrobiotic one. But let’s look at those food and food components that make the difference between the standard and macrobiotic diet in more details and go through their change again in step by step process.

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Carbohydrates

Most carbohydrates used in standard diet are: potatoes, white bread, pasta made of white flour and refined rice.

Let’s look at the process of cutting out the unhealthy carbohydrates and introducing the healthy ones.

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Proteins

Proteins used in standard diet are mostly red meat and its products. The process of replacing red meat with foods which contain plant proteins can be done in four steps.

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Sweeteners

Sweeteners are used in very small dosages in macrobiotic diet and mostly natural sweeteners made from cereals. Three steps are needed to stop eating standard sweeteners such as white sugar, artificial sweeteners and corn syrup.

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Drinks

People on standard American diet take lots of drinks used that contain artificial sweeteners, CO2 and sugar. Those drinks are unhealthy and great precondition for hearth disease, diabetes and cancer. They can be replaced with healthier versions through three steps.

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Stimulants

Stimulants that most people take are alcohol, narcotics, and cigarettes as well as heavy spices. Those stimulants are not part of macrobiotic diet and if someone has a need for them, they can be replaced with healthy variants.

Suggestions for replacing standard foods with macrobiotic diet food

The next table should provide help and guideline for getting from standard to macrobiotic diet. The key is in replacing certain groceries with the healthy ones.

Cereals

Increase intake of:

• Brown rice
• Barley
• Millet
• Wheat
• Oat
• Buckwheat
• Rye
• Spelt
• Cereal flakes
• Bulgur
• Couscous

Decrease intake of:

• White rice
• White bread
• White flour pasta
• Industrial processed cereals

Legumes

Increase intake of:

• Cooked legumes
• Sprouted legumes
• Green legumes and peas
• Tofu and tempeh
• Soy flour

Decrease intake of:

• Textured soy products
• Caned legumes

Fruits and vegetables

Increase intake of:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Pickles
• Raw fruits and vegetables
• Dried fruits and vegetables

Decrease intake of:

• Fruits that are not growing in your geographical area
• Too long cooked vegetables
• Vegetable chips
• Frozen fruits and vegetables

Nuts and seeds

Increase intake of:

• Fried nuts and seeds
• Nut and seed butters
• Peanut butter
• Sprouted seeds

Decrease intake of:

• Raw or salty nuts
• Raw peanut
• Peanut butter with sugar and hydrogenated fat