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Maria...first of all, they’re very yin because of how fast, when and where they grow, structure, and the time of their activity. When starting macrobiotics we are coming back to the center of the yin/yang food spectrum in order to give the body a chance to heal itself. Being very yin means they are at the extreme. Additionally, they contain toxins that destroy red blood cells and have been connected with a long laundry list of other problems; kidney stones, ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, breathing problems, digestive problems, skin problems, nerve problems/paralysis, and energy problems are some of the negatives. Macrobiotics also looks at what we eat in terms of its energy/activity because this energy is transferred to us when we eat it. This is why microwave cooking is not recommended or mechanical processing or cooking when you’re in a bad or fearful mood....it all transfers. Meat carries with it a lot of qualities that are not conducive to human behavior. Herd mentality, for example. People who eat a lot of chicken tend to act like chickens. Same thing goes for plants. The nightshades are anti-social, hang out together and are loners. In other words, the implications are also emotional. And there are more of the same type of characteristics. Extreme, out of balance eating greatly accentuates these effects. Under balanced, condtitions the body can handle this within the scope of moderation. It’s better to stay away from them during the healing phase of macrobiotics and then, as you widen your diet, you can gradually incorporate anything you want, testing to see how it makes you feel and making the adjustments accordingly. I don't think spinach is a nightshade. It does, however, contain oxalic acid, which, if you're a meat eater, interferes with calcium metabolism.Tobacco and mushrooms are also nightshades. Then why do we eat Shiitake mushrooms in macrobiotics? Because they are grown in a special fashion and dried in the sun to give them medicinal qualities. No fresh mushrooms are allowed. There may be more that I don't know about. I’m glad your transition is going along smoothly. Stick with it and you will get used to not having the things you were used to before. I was vegetarian for 15 years and still got very sick. Out of balance vegetarian. Extremes of anything can cause problems. Bill |