Zen Macrobiotic Diets

Abstract

For several years it has been recognized that the extreme diversity of health practices and options existing in the United States include not only bizarre but sometimes dangerous customs (Rynearson, 1974). One consequence of the recognition of dietary risks to health is that relatively harmless diet practices, associated with religious beliefs, may be unjustifiably condemned, while other dangerous cults may be extolled. Vegetarianism provides one example of the need for the differentiation of those practices which are undoubtedly or potentially harmful from those that present few risks to health. It is widely believed that meat is necessary for strength with the result that vegetarian diets are frequently ridiculed or condemned. While very large numbers of people are adequately fed on vegetarian diets, there can be problems related to the quantity and quality of vegetarian diets. Studies indicate, however, that this concern is less important than the likelihood of energy deficits and deficiencies of vitamin B₁₂ (Bender, 1979; Robson, 1977; Dickerson and Fehily, 1979). Vegans who avoid all animal foods have been identified as being particularly at risk, yet these risks are negligible compared with those who follow the Zen Macrobiotic cult.