How Difficult Is It To Follow Macrobiotic, Paleo Diets? We Asked Gwyneth's Chef.

How Difficult Is It To Follow Macrobiotic, Paleo Diets? We Asked Gwyneth's Chef.
Katie Chang•

It wasn't until Lee Gross studied alternative health sciences at the esteemed Kushi Institute that he connected with his true calling as a chef. "I decided to dedicate myself to macro," says Gross, who has since worked as a personal chef to Gwyneth Paltrow, launched restaurants — including M Café in Los Angeles, where the city's health-conscious set flock for inventive, macrobiotic plates — and served as a consulting chef to countless restaurants and celebrities. It's clear that Gross is not only a cook and disciple of healthy living, but an excellent teacher as well. Here, Gross breaks down some of today's hottest dietary disciplines .

FLEXITARIAN

The rules: While you're omnivorous and comfortable eating pretty much anything and everything, you also really enjoy eating plant-based foods. It's all about achieving a fine balance. "You think through your dietary patterns to keep some meals plant-based, and work in animal food more selectively," says Gross.

The pros: "It doesn't impose many problems or challenges in social situations," says Gross. "It's a sustainable way to eat well, as long as you're following the approach. You're coming out of days of eating vegetarian, so you're not eating an excess of anything."

Difficulty (on a scale from 1 to 10, 1 being easiest, 10 being most difficult): 2. This one's called "flexi" for a reason. It requires the least amount of shift or change from where one is today, making it easy to adopt for most people.

MACROBIOTICS

The rules: "Macrobiotics is first a philosophy," says Gross, "and a world view based on the Asian paradigm of yin and yang. You look at the energy of the universe, and how that translates into food. All food falls into yin (feminine, expansive, upwards) and yang (contractive, male, inwards), and the basic diet falls in the center of the spectrum." Therefore, you'll eat foods that have the most balance of this yin and yang energy, which include plenty of whole grains and vegetables.

The pros: It's a very healthful approach to eating, as whole, natural foods are the foundation. In addition, eating macrobiotic has always been great for the environment, since the philosophy encourages people to eat locally and seasonally.

Difficulty: 5. "The core day in and day out is rooted in veganism, but it's all based on the individual and the individual's constitution," says Gross. For example, if someone leans towards yin, more animal food may be recommended for balance. "You're using food as energy here."

PALEO

The rules: "Based loosely on the theoretical diet of our paleolithic ancestors, the diet is comprised of whole, natural foods (which is always a good starting point)," says Gross. You'll cut out processed foods, and enjoy good-quality meats, eggs, nuts and seeds, and non-starchy fruits and vegetables. Since grains and beans are off-limits, paleo is especially well-matched for carb-watchers.

The pros: "As long as you're into eating meat, it can be relatively satisfying," says Gross. Plus, paleo diets are naturally low in added sugars and salt.

Difficulty: 6. Going Paleo requires a sizable shift in how most people approach their meals, from home-cooking to dining out. While limiting your carb intake can initially be challenging, paleo can be healthy and more importantly, sustainable, over a long period of time.

VEGAN

The rules: You'll abstain from all foods derived from animal sources. More often than not, there's an ethical motivation to go vegan, too. This lifestyle requires a lot of vigilance, "as animal products are hidden in a lot of commercial, packaged-goods, and restaurant meals as well," says Gross. "It carries the most weight when there's an ethical motivation, and carries over to other aspects in life (including choosing not to wear leather)."

The pros: "Eating lower on the food chain is better for the environment," says Gross. "And there's obvious benefits for our cuddly animal friends."

Difficulty: 7. Going vegan is tough since most of us were raised eating meat and animal-based foods. But, once you address your body's cravings and needs and replace them with something healthy, you'll begin feeling differently fast. In fact, "you'll soon be seeing improvement in all facets of your life," says Gross.

RAW

The rules: "Eating raw is based on a theory that enzymes present in food are necessary to be taken in their live and active state," explains Gross. Expect to eat foods – fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds (basically anything from the plant kingdom) – in their whole, natural state, and eschew all things processed, packaged, and cooked over 118 degrees (this is to preserve the enzymatic integrity only found in raw, plant-based foods). "You can also dehydrate and blend, to render raw foods into things that feel and look familiar," says Gross. The zucchini and heirloom tomato lasagna at Pure Food & Wine is a terrific example.

The pros: Unparalleled nutrition. Gross adds, "You'll feel light, and you actually might feel ecstatic."

Difficulty: 10. This lifestyle requires a hefty dose of commitment and mindfulness, "because it's so vastly different from how most people eat," says Gross. "It requires an incredible lifestyle change. It's like being in a whole different world."

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