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diet

guide

Whether you're looking to shift a few pounds in a week, drop a dress size for a big event or want to change your eating habits forever, find the best diet to suit you in our guides below...

diets

The Macrobiotic Diet

If you’re fed up with fad diets, you may find the macrobiotic way of life an option. Created in Japan by George Ohsawa, it is a low fat, high fibre ‘diet’ although it is generally viewed as more of a lifestyle change than a diet.

Rules

Rules

The Macrobiotic plan encourages you to eat brown rice, whole grains, lentils and plenty of vegetables. Dairy, meat and white bread and flour are off the menu, however fish and soya are the healthy macrobiotic alternatives.

Food is separated into Yin and Yang categories. Yin foods are sweet, while Yang foods are savory and the key is to eat a balance of Yin and Yang at every meal. A macrobiotic meal should comprise of:

50 percent whole grains,

30 percent vegetables,

10 percent beans

10 percent fruit and nuts

The general idea is to eat natural, unprocessed food, avoid additives and only eat fruits and vegetables which are in season. Coffee, tea and alcohol should be avoided it you want to be true to the plan. On the macrobiotic plan you’ll discover foods like Tamari sauce (wheat free soy sauce), sea vegetables and tahini (sweet sesame paste) as well as eating lots of miso soup, chick peas and salads. You’ll possibly find yourself in aisles of the supermarket that you never ventured to before and learn how to prepare lots of new and healthy dishes. The cooking method is mostly steaming and eating raw foods is preferable to boiling or frying. By cutting out processed foods you should lose weight steadily, have more energy and look healthier. Yo Sushi – here we come!

Pros

The Macrobiotic plan is a lifestyle rather than a diet so you can adapt the principles to suit you and your lifestyle. So, if you still need a cup of coffee to get you going in the morning, then we think that’s fine in moderation.

Cons

It can be difficult to make sure you get all the nutrients you need from a low protein, almost vegetarian diet, so make sure you take a good multi-vitamin. Plus - it is not always easy to constantly buy fresh food that’s in season if you lead a busy lifestyle or are strapped for cash. It can be an expensive diet and if you were not previously a big carb eater you may not definitely loose weight although you’ll be decidedly healthier.

Celeb Fans

Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna