WHET the Macrobiotic diet?

The very definition of a fad.

Why though? It seems healthy, lots of whole grains and vegetables etc...

It was nutritionally sound but it was needlessly complicated. There are many equally (maybe even more) nutritious eating plans that don't take anywhere near the amount of planning and research that macrobiotic took. Waste of time. Strictly for people who enjoy making things as complicated as possible so they can brag about it.

My mum veered between vegetarian and macro my whole childhood and what I've noticed is that while fewer restaurants proclaim themselves macrobiotic now, a lot of the principles that people enjoyed have been absorbed by mainstream vegetarian/vegan restaurants whilst the unpopular ones (the weird rules about limiting fluid, lack of nightshades, saltiness, etc.) are only followed by the hardcore.

I need a deep breath after that run-on sentence.

The Buddha bowls being cradled in millions of Instagram photos are just a modern iteration of the old macro plate.

Then:

The endless chewing

I see your endless chewing and raise you one steaming cup of twig water.

Twig water?

Kukicha tea is just roasted twigs from a tea plant.