[snoopybd7]

Hi mayzee,

I completely agree with what you said about getting obsessed with food. I think it is very common for people to be obsessed with food in macrobiotics. People start to think is a food too yin, too yang, is it in season, is it a night shade, am I using too much oil, to little oil, ect. I find that people new to macrobiotics start to think this way because they want clear guidelines on what to do. It wouldn't be good for macrobiotic teachers to teach newcomers that they can eat anything they want depending on their constitution. That might make people confused or they would think that they can eat anything they want. So in the beginning, teachers tell students what they should eat and what they should avoid. Eventually after you understand the basic concepts of the diet and philosophy, you should move away from a strict macro diet, unless you are healing from an illness. You should use the concepts of macrobiotics and apply it in a way that is best for your body. Some people need more oil than recommended, some eat less grain, some eat night shades, some eat more desserts.

When I started macrobiotics, I was very obsessed about food. I tried to make my meals balanced exactly like the book said. This started to drive me crazy and I was soo stressed out. Now I am more relaxed about food. I realize that if you are not enjoying the food or stressed out about it, it will hurt your health.

If you are overwhelmed, I would suggest slowing down. Don't try to incorporate everything at once. Start with the basics like cooking brown rice and a vegetable dish and just enjoy that. You don’t even have to eat it everyday. It should be at a pace that is enjoyable. Then little by little it will get easier and you might cook more things and you will learn more concepts. I would recommend the book Hip Chicks Guide to Macrobiotics by Jessica Porter because she presents macrobiotics in a way that is relatable and not rigid and not overwhelming. It's also really funny.

What you are going through is normal. I experienced some of the things that you went through like becoming very skinny, feeling frustrated, and being obsessed with food. I am still experiencing some of these things now after practicing macrobiotics for a few years, but it is a lot less now. I realize macrobiotics requires constant adjustment till you find what works. Its like a journey.

Kevin