Could Popeye go Macro??

I've spent most of my time in this blog touting the benefits of a macrobiotic lifestyle... I feel great: my body feels light, I am more focused on life activities than before, and I am truly becoming intuned to what my body needs to feel healthy.

However -- I can't help but be concerned about articles that I have read cautioning the strict macrobiotic to find ways of getting B12, calcium, and iron, thus to avoid mineral and vitamin deficiencies. Nutritionists warn that the lack of animal protein can lead to such deficiencies, and there are many studies that show that children on strict macrobiotic diets have growth retardation in 6- to 18-month olds, lack of energy, and deficiencies in protein, B12, calcium, and riboflavin. The breastmilk of women following macrobiotics strictly had abnormally low levels of B12, calcium, and magnesium. As a woman, I am also intimately aware of the necessity of adequate iron-intake and folate to maintain my body's health and balance, physically and hormonally, especially given that I lose a significant amount of iron each month through menstruation (link to a newer post dealing with that happy female monthly blessing).

So.... my question is, "Could Popeye go macrobiotic?" and would he stay the strong, fit, spinach-eating gentleman that he is, if he were to take that dietary route? Well, I'm sure that he could... but he would have to find some alternative methods of getting the vitamins and minerals that he gets from Spinach (as spinach is very acidic and thus discouraged as a regular part of the macrobiotic diet).

A few things that I have done to make sure that I get the vitamins and minerals that I need: (1) I use rice milk that is enriched with vitamins B12, A & D, and has the same calcium content as cow's milk; (2) We try to eat a lot of dark green leafy vegetables like kale and chard, which contain iron, magnesium, and calcium (as well as really high levels of Vitamin A and Vitamin C); (3) We also eat a lot of broccoli, which is a great source for vitamins C, K, A, folate, iron, calcium, potassium, riboflavin, and manganese... (4) and, of course seaweed (click the link to go to a post of Jacob's about the benefits of macrobiotics), which I need to learn to be more fond of, contains mucho-nutrients necessary to the macro-body (and any body).

I also am of the mind that "strict" is the key word in the studies that I referenced above. As we've explained throughout this blog, and taking from Jessica Porter's philosophy of macrobiotics (who just recently posted a series of her cooking classes on her website here), macrobiotics is about balance - and tuning in to what your body needs at any given time. If it feels like it needs an organic grass-fed hamburger with a sprouted whole wheat bun and some sauerkraut to help with the digestion -- by all means, go for it!

When we initially began this macrobiotic adventure, it was with the intention of being strict about it for about 3 months, and then to reassess... what I have learned is that a diet that focuses on whole grains nourishes both my body and my soul, and that the way we were eating before, although pretty healthy - didn't allow me to feel nearly this good. But it's about balance, and sometimes I may want one of those happy hamburgers... or some really good organic cheese - but it is about making food choices that are informed with what the food is going to do for your body (as opposed to to your body), and what it is doing for farmers and families who are in our communities.

The answer to my question? I think Popeye could go macro - but it would be a challenge, and he'd have to work at it... but he would feel great.