Macrobiotics Studies • Macrobiotics Programs
by Robyn Tellefsen
 

Macrobiotics

  is a modern system of holistic nutritional care and exercises derived from the ancient Chinese science of food energetics. Macrobiotics is based on a practical system of healthy meals, exercise, self-massage, and meditation. An alternative way of living, macrobiotics presents a form of natural healing through food preparation and eating. Those who practice macrobiotics have experienced mental vitality, improved stamina, and overall rejuvenation.

A macrobiotic diet often includes a variety of international foods, such as beans, fruits, land and sea vegetables, natural beverages, natural sweeteners and seasonings, seafood and fish, seeds and nuts, soups, soy foods, and whole grains. A macrobiotic diet often reduces or eliminates artificial sweeteners, caffeine, chemical additives, dairy, eggs, fresh fruit, juices, poultry, processed foods, red meats, tobacco, white flour products, and white sugar.

What You'll Learn
Appropriate food choices depend on variables such as an individual's age, ancestry, gender, geographic location, health, level of physical activity, and more. With training in macrobiotic counseling, you'll learn how to take these variables into account to create a macrobiotic diet tailored to each unique individual.

To learn macrobiotic cooking, it's best to take cooking classes from an experienced cooking instructor. The majority of macrobiotic cooks learn their skills in the homes of private mentors in either group or individual classes. Students may also attend formal cooking schools.

Degree Types
Certificates of completion are offered in residential macrobiotic training courses. The final level of study recognizes the student as a macrobiotic counselor, cook, or cooking teacher.

Career Paths
Those trained in macrobiotics may become macrobiotic cooks, cooking teachers, counselors, and more. Professionals may also wish to incorporate their macrobiotic training into their own restaurant, health facility, or nutritionist practice.

Job Outlook
Having gained recognition for its effectiveness, macrobiotics has been growing in popularity as a natural health alternative, and qualified macrobiotic cooks, cooking teachers, and counselors are in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual earnings of dietitians and nutritionists, a field where macrobiotics may be practiced, were $46,980 in May 2006; the highest 10 percent earned more than $68,330.

Licensing and Accreditation Information
All states require certification in order to offer medical advice; a number require licensure to give nutritional information. Macrobiotic counselors and cooking teachers have no licensing procedure or legal certification. Some require the client to sign a disclaimer of medical advice, emphasizing the educational aspects of their work.

Macrobiotics schools may be accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (http://www.accet.org), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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