The Blood Type Diet is based on the theory that you can lose weight and be healthier by tailoring the foods you eat to the type of blood you have. Naturopathic physician Peter D'Adamo outlined the diet in his 1996 book "Eat Right 4 Your Health." While it is certainly possible to lose weight on the D'Adamo plan, many health professionals say there's a lack of evidence to prove it works because of the blood type theory.
Considerations
The formula is simple. In order to lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. You can do that in numerous ways, including by following the Blood Type Diet. D'Adamo says his plan works because people with different blood types digest food proteins in different ways. However, he recommends people of all blood types avoid processed foods, which are often high in calories and low in nutrition. His type-specific food recommendations are similar to other vegetarian, high-protein and low-carb diets.
Types of Food
D'Adamo argues that because blood types evolved over time, people do best eating the foods their ancestors of similar blood type ate. For instance, because type-O blood evolved first, Type O's do best eating meats and vegetables like early hunter-gatherers. When type-A blood came along, people were more settled, and Type A's are said to thrive on a more vegetarian-style diet. Type B's came next, and they can enjoy a mix of foods eaten by type-O and type-A individuals. Type AB blood is the newest and rarest type. People with this type blood share diet similarities with Type A's and Type B's.
Foods to Avoid
For each blood type, D'Adamo says there are certain foods that should be avoided because they can be hard on health and help cause weight gain. For Type O's, dairy, grains and beans should be avoided, as well as processed foods. Type A individuals should abstain from dairy, meat, fish, poultry and eggs. If you're type B, you can enjoy a wider range of foods, but you should stay away from nuts, seeds, chicken and shellfish. Type AB's can enjoy a little bit of everything except processed foods, though following a vegan diet most of the time is recommended.
Exercise
In addition to food recommendations, the Blood Type Diet includes exercise suggestions for all blood groups. D'Adamo says Type O's do best when they engage in regular intense physical exercise, such as an aerobics class three to four times a week. Running, martial arts and contact sports also are good for Type O's. The Blood Type Diet suggests Type A's pursue more calming exercises, such as yoga and tai chi. Type B's need something in between. Moderate exercises such as hiking, cycling, tennis and swimming are good choices. For people with type-AB blood, a combination of exercises for Type A's and Type B's works best.
References
- Dadamo: Eat Right For Your Type: How Blood Type Determines Your Health
- Vanderbilt University Psychology Department: Eat Right 4 Your Type; Courtney Sanders
- Every Diet: Blood Type Diet
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthy Weight---It's Not a Diet, It's a Lifestyle!
- MayoClinic.com: What is the Blood Type Diet?; Katherine Zeratsky; August 2010
- The Doctors of USC: The Blood Type Diet; Maria Adams, MS; December 2009
Member Comments