Introduction to Macrobiotics (Part 2) – Yin & Yang Foods

Yin Foods

Yin foods have a tendency to cool the body, loosen muscles, reduce tension, slow down things, create the need for more sleep.

If eaten in excess, Yin foods can make you tired, cause anaemia, paleness, loss of appetite, loss of motivation, fear, and anxiety.

Characteristics of
Foods that are Yin 

• rich in potassium
• have a cooling effect on the bodyz
• make you feel more sleepy
• grow well in warm or hot climate
• grow faster
• bigger
• taller
• softer
• more watery
• grow straight up in the air
• grow sideways under the ground
• leaves are bigger
• leaf edge is smoother
• cook quicker

Yang Foods

Yang foods on the other hand have a tendency to warm the body, tighten muscles, cause tension, speed up movement, and lessen sleep time.

If eaten in excess, Yang foods can cause fever, constipation, aggression, hostility, restlessness, and agitation.

Characteristics of Foods that are Yang

• rich in sodium
• have a warming effect on the body
• make you feel more alert
• grow well in cooler to cold climates
• grow slower
• smaller
• shorter
• harde
• less watery – drier
• grow straight down into the ground
• grow sideways on top the ground
• leaves are smaller
• leaf edge has more zigzags
• cook slower

While no food can be classified as completely Yin or Yang, the use of terms: “more yin” or “more yang” reinforce the concept that nothing is absolute and that everything is relative.

As result, a carrot is considered more yang than a banana.

In addition, there may be a part of a food that is more yang e.g. the rind of a watermelon; while the inside of the watermelon is considered more yin.

One of the main principles in Macrobiotics is to create a balanced diet and to avoid excessive intake of extremely Yin or Yang foods.

Extreme Yin __________ Nightshades: tomatoes potatoes capsicums eggplant Shiitake mushrooms Fruit Spices Herbs Seasonings Sugar Alcohol MSG Soy Milk Honey Caffeine Nicotine Drugs

More Yin ____________ Yeasted bread Leafy greens: asparagus celery Beans  Dried fruit Nuts Milk Tofu Vinegar

Neutral Yin – Yang __________ Brown riceWheat Azuki beansPumpkinCabbage Seaweed Sesame seeds Sesame oil Bancha tea

More Yang ___________ Root vegies: carrots parsnips turnips daikon Buckwheat

Extreme Yang _________ Meat Fish Eggs Cheese Salt Miso Tamari