that Americans abuse daily. If one’s condition were healthy, it would be best to slowly get adjusted to a macrobiotic lifestyle over a period of one year. However, if someone is diseased or chronically ill, a strict macrobiotic diet must be implemented immediately to bring his or her body back into balance. Since each illness is different, a macrobiotic counselor should be consulted to tailor a specific diet for the person. Generally speaking, a diet only consisting of whole grains, vegetables, some beans, sea weed and miso soup with only a tablespoon of organic vegetable oil allowed for cooking per day should be followed. If the ill person follows this diet and refrains from eating any animal products, processed foods or sugars, his or her condition will improve one hundred fold in forty-five to sixty days. On the other hand, a relatively healthy person should first cut out processed foods and replace them with whole, organic foods. The next step is to eat less of all types of animal products on a daily and weekly basis. One should limit eating animal foods to four times a week for the first three months. Then limit it to twice a week for three months, then once a week for three months, then once a month for three months. The ultimate goal is to eliminate all animal products by the end of the year. It would, however, be acceptable to eat fish on occasions. In terms of meat, fish is the most digestible, then poultry, then pork and beef. As one cuts down on animal products he or she must eat more beans, tofu and other soy products to replace the lost protein. All types of sweets should only be eaten occasionally. Fruits would be ideal. Refined sugars should be replaced with organic honey, rice syrup and maple syrup. Cow milk can be replaced by soy and rice milk. Macrobiotic people are not calcium deficient because leafy, green vegetables are rich in calcium and iron. Also, dairy cheese can replaced by soy ̶...
