Zen Macrobiotic Dietary Problems in Infancy

Abstract

Two infants fed Kokoh, a Zen macrobiotic food mixture comprising cereal grains, legumes, and oil seeds, for a period of several months weighed 4.96 kg and 5.81 kg at 7 and 13 months of age, respectively. Kokoh formulas were evaluated by computation using food composition tables and chemical analysis. The computed energy value of Kokoh was within 3% of that measured by calorimetry. The daily intake of energy by the infants from Kokoh and other supplementary foods was about 400 Calories. This represents only 40% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (R.D.A.) for the United States. The estimated protein intake was 11 gm for one child, and 13 gm for the other. The quality of the Kokoh protein as determined by computation was adequate for growth, but the analytical data suggested that the amino acid pattern was poor. The unsatisfactory nature of the formulas given to the infants was due to excessive dilution. There is a need for more definitive data on the feasibility of feeding infants Kokoh and similar foods, at a concentration that will meet energy needs. Further information is required on the amino acid content of plant foods used for infant feeding. Until more is known about feeding infants on plant food proteins, infants and children fed Kokoh should be kept under strict surveillance.