Japan Macrobiotic Association

Q: I think that rice and vegetables are good, but meat and fish are indispensable for meals.Even if you are told not to eat meat because you are doing macrobiotics...

A: It doesn't mean "don't eat meat".In terms of human teeth, the amount is not so much, but it is okay to eat meat and fish.

Also, since each person's constitution and living environment are different, some people are fine without eating at all, while others can maintain their health by eating animal products from time to time.However, recently, there are many products that are questionable in terms of safety, so let's choose a safe one as much as possible.

However, it is said that 8 million people around the world are starving, and that three young people die every 10 seconds due to hunger and malnutrition. To produce 3 kg of meat, broilers require 1 kg, pigs 2 kg, and cattle 4 kg of grain. You can't put the brakes on the starving population.Furthermore, the reckless expansion of meat consumption, such as deforestation to make pasture land for cattle, is causing various problems.

Q: I can't help but reach for soft drinks and fast food.Should macrobiotics be avoided as much as possible?

A: It's better to hold back.
Cold or warm, it may not taste as sweet, but soft drinks contain significant amounts of sugar.Consuming too much sugar can cause blood sugar levels to spike, causing a large amount of insulin to be released, causing a sudden drop in blood sugar levels and causing hypoglycemia.When hypoglycemia occurs, it causes a vicious cycle of destabilizing the mental state, such as irritability and fatigue, and increasing the need for sugar.

High-calorie, high-salt and fat fast food is not very healthy.In addition, fast food, which believes in "the same taste anytime, anywhere", is supported by artificially added flavors such as fragrances, and there are concerns such as residual pesticides in food ingredients imported from all over the world.

Q: I eat bread and milk for breakfast, and I also like pasta.I prefer Western food to Japanese food. From a macrobiotic point of view, is there anything bad about your health?

A: Eating habits gradually became westernized, and bread and milk for breakfast had become the norm.However, as you can see from the display, the familiar bread on the dining table contains sugar, oil, additives, etc.

On top of that, if you spread butter, margarine, jam, etc., and put dressings or mayonnaise on raw vegetables, you'll be consuming too much sugar and fat.Rice has a lot of water, but bread and pasta have less water, so you want milk and soft drinks.However, in addition to white fluffy bread, if you take calories from water, you will have less opportunities to chew.

For breakfast, I recommend eating rice and miso soup, enjoying bread and pasta occasionally, and if possible, I recommend natural yeast bread using whole wheat flour.

Q: I understand that a diet with grains and vegetables is good for the body.From the perspective of macrobiotics, is there anything else you think we should be careful about?

A: Choose seasonings that are made in the traditional way as much as possible.

In particular, be particular about miso, soy sauce, salt, and oil that you use every day.In general seasonings, in order to make a large amount quickly, maintain its commercial value for a long time, and keep it cheap, the quality of the raw materials is lowered and various additives are used to adjust the appearance and flavor.

Also, I would like to pay attention to the type of kitchen detergent, etc., and try not to pollute the environment as much as possible.On the other hand, locally-grown produce wastes less energy in transportation, cooking whole meals reduces waste, and grain- and vegetable-based meals can be cleaned up quickly with little detergent. .If you eat less food and eliminate leftovers, it will be economical after all, even if you are particular about ingredients and seasonings.

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