So it’s 1:30 in the afternoon and suddenly your body is just craving something like chocolate, or pickles, or some other random flavor. If you’re like most individuals you have just had lunch, However your stomach seems to have forgot how satisfied it was 90 minutes ago.  You know this craving is nothing to do with hunger.

Yet, you feel yourself growing more and more hungry by the second.

While it might not be in plain English (or any other language for that matter) this is your body’s way of speaking to you. More specifically, depending on the on the craving, this could be your kidney, heart, lungs or variety of other internal organs attempting to communicate with you.

What follows below is an extended guide to the Macrobiotic dialect your body is speaking.

What Is The Macrobiotic Diet?

You may ask yourself: what are macrobiotic foods?  Well, macrobiotic foods are culinary dishes prepared with pure whole foods. This principle in food preparation is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM. To be more specific the Macrobiotic Diet is based on the Taoist principles.

The Taoist principles are based on the balance of yin and yang within the human body.

According to the Taoist principles the human body is filled with a balance of two energies in harmony with one another. These energies can be thought of as up or down, each organ in the body responds well to foods that have an up or down energy. When an organ feels that its energy needs are not being met, you will begin to crave a specific type of food.

By listening to what type of craving you receive and how often the craving occurs, you will be able to tell which organ seems to be dominate in your body and what foods will satisfy this organ.

According to the Taoist principles, the organs on the right side of the body, including the liver and gallbladder, are strongly charged by yin (upward energy). Those on the left, including the pancreas and spleen, receive a stronger charge of yang (downward energy).

However, it should be noted that according to the Taoist priceless focusing on one energy to heavily (either yin or yang) can result in illness.

What Are Your Organs Telling You?

Pungent Craving: Lungs

According to the Taoist principle, individuals who find themselves craving foods with pungent flavors often have an energy imbalance focused in their lungs. This imbalance could negatively affect the individual’s mood, often leaving them in a state of sadness or grief.  

An energy imbalance of the lungs can also manifest itself as a physical issue. Individuals suffering from an energy imbalance in their lungs have a tendency to slouch, which further restricts airflow (and energy flow). According to the Taoist principle this imbalance in the lungs is usually caused by an abuse of sugar, dairy products, fruits and fruit juices.

Taoist Principles state that pungent foods help with the discharge of mucous-like build-up in the lungs. Eating foods like radish, cabbage, arugula, asparagus, mustard greens, turnips, carrots, red peppers, broccoli, wheatgrass and spirulina to detoxify the lungs.

Bitter, Pungent Tastes: Heart

People with an energy imbalance in the heart, much like those with an energy imbalance in the lungs, usually experience bouts of deep sadness or grief. The physical side effects of this energy imbalance usually manifest itself as a red or swollen nose.

The heart’s energy is thrown out of balance by foods high in sugar, refined flours, and simple carbohydrates. It is also affected by meat, alcohol, drugs, rich and greasy foods. Late night eating and large dinners also negatively impact the heart.

Foods that can help balance the heart’s energy usual have a bitter or pungent flavor to them. A few foods that might help stabilize your heart’s energy include: buckwheat, radish, onions, mustard, garlic and magnesium rich foods. Eating herbs such as dill, basil, and chamomile can also help to improve your heart’s energy.

Salt Taste: Kidneys

According to the Taoist principles, individuals with an energy imbalance in their kidneys usually experience anxiety and fear.  These individuals have a tendency to overwork themselves on a regular basis.

Individuals experiencing a kidney imbalance usually experience salt cravings. To help balance the energy in your kidneys and satisfy your salt cravings, replace salt with rock or sea salt. In addition to salt try magnesium-rich foods, which help calm the nerves.

Aim for foods such as brown rice, sesame seeds, spinach broccoli, avocado, cooked lentils, peanut butter, bananas, prunes, dried apricots, melon, and fish.

Your body’s cravings are a call for help. By following the principles of the macrobiotic diet, you can better prepare yourself to address your body’s specific needs.

Source: http://www.macrobiotics.co.uk/articles/food_healing.htm