The idea of losing weight and boosting your health by eating foods based upon your blood type is the brainchild of Dr. Peter D'Adamo, author of "Eat Right 4 Your Type." Dr. D'Adamo bases his diet philosophy on the supposed anthropological heritage of your blood type. In his book, D'Adamo offers extensive lists of foods for dieters from each blood type group, rating them as beneficial, neutral or detrimental to your health. Talk with your doctor before starting any new diet.
The Newcomer
If your blood type is AB, you're the new kid on the block. According to D'Adamo, anthropologists list type O blood as the oldest, dating back to Cro-Magnon man, followed by type A, then type B. The most recent, type AB, is a combination of the genetic heritage of type A and type B, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia of Diets: A Guide to Health and Nutrition." Type AB blood is modern, no older than 1,000 years, says Dr. D'Adamo. In comparison, type O blood is at least 30,000 years old.
Type AB Diet Heritage
Type AB blood evolved as the result of the intermingling of European populations around the time of Attila the Hun, according to Dr. D'Adamo. As a blending of type A and type B blood groups, type ABs' genetic ancestors were a combination of farmers and hunters, and their digestive systems and health needs depend upon consuming a balance of foods from both parent blood groups, says Dr. D'Adamo.
Foods to Eat
If you have type AB blood and like tofu, you're in luck. Tofu is one of the foods that Dr. D'Adamo claims will help blood types AB lose weight. Additional weight-loss foods include seafood, kelp, green vegetables, dairy products and pineapple. Beneficial meats are mutton, lamb, rabbit and turkey.
You can eat eggs, but only two or three a week, if you're blood type AB. Enjoy soft cheeses such as cottage cheese, farmer's cheese, ricotta and mozzarella, but limit aged cheese to one or two servings per week.
Dr. D'Adamo suggests eating oatmeal, oat bran and rice as your grain selections, and you can eat one or two servings of barley, farina, wheat germ or amaranth per week. You can also eat vegetables such as celery, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower and mushrooms.
Foods to Avoid
Dr. D'Adamo warns type AB dieters to avoid foods that may lead to weight gain, including kidney beans, wheat and buckwheat. Cured or smoked meats are out; Dr. D'Adamo explains that these foods do not digest well in type ABs because they have low stomach acid levels. Other meats to avoid are beef, chicken, pork, veal, venison and buffalo.
Skip bread products made with corn, such as corn muffins, cornbread and polenta.
Highly processed foods, or junk foods, are discouraged on the type AB diet, as well as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and poppy seeds. Dr. D'Adamo discourages some vegetables including onions, okra, pumpkin, tomatoes and turnips.
Criticism
Selecting foods to eat based on your blood type may not be any healthier for you than following any other diet, according to MayoClinic.com. In addition, restricted food diets may not provide all the nutrients necessary for staying strong and healthy.
The "Gale Encyclopedia" warns dieters that individual health needs supersede a set diet that never changes. For instance, those with diabetes, high blood pressure or nutritional deficiencies may require a diet that Dr. D'Adamo would not advocate for their blood type.
References
- "The Gale Encyclopedia of Diets: A Guide to Health and Nutrition"; Jacqueline L. Longe, 2008
- "Eat Right 4 Your Type"; Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo, 2001
- MayoClinic.com: Blood Type Diet -- What is it? Does it Work?
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