When the federal government makes its recommendations for what foods Americans should eat, blood type is not part of the equation. The idea that people should eat certain foods based on their blood types was popularized in a 1996 book called "Eat Right 4 Your Type." The author, naturopathic physician Peter D'Adamo, has drawn criticism in the medical community from those who cite a lack of evidence to support his claims about a connection between food, health and blood type.
USDA Food Plate
In 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture updated its food guidelines in an attempt to make it easier for all Americans to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. A new graphic, called My Plate, was introduced to give people a simple guide for figuring out how to fill their plate in a healthy way. The USDA recommends half that plate be covered with fruits and vegetables. The other half should be split between grains and protein, with grains getting the bigger share. In addition, a healthy meal should include a dairy product, such as a glass of milk.
D'Adamo's Plate
If D'Adamo drew a plate for someone with type-O blood, it would look quite different. He maintains that Type O's do best on a high-protein diet that features meats, poultry, fish and olive oil. D'Adamo says type-O blood was the blood type of ancient hunter-gatherers, and today's descendants will lose weight and be healthier if they follow a similar diet. Some vegetables are approved for Type O's on the D'Adamo plan, but there is also a large list of foods to avoid.
Restricted Foods
D'Adamo says dairy products are not tolerated well by people with type O blood and suggests they be avoided. He says grains can cause problems, too, including weight gain. So, he suggests people with type-O blood avoid foods such as breads, cereal, pasta and rice. D'Adamo says beans, lentils, corn and cabbage can also cause problems for Type O's. To make up for nutrients that may be lost by eliminating these foods from the diet, D'Adamo sells a line of supplements to accompany his diet plan.
Exercise
If you're interested in following the D'Adamo diet plan, he recommends that in addition to eating type-O specific foods, people with type-O blood follow an exercise plan with lots of intense physical activities. He suggests exercises such as aerobics and martial arts or contact sports at least three to four times a week. Federal health officials also recommend exercise, but research has shown that moderate amounts of exercise can provide health benefits, too, and may be more appealing to many people. Before starting any exercise plan, it's wise to check with your doctor.
References
- USDA: ChooseMyPlate.gov
- Eat Right For Your Type
- MayoClinic.com: What is the Blood Type Diet?; Katherine Zeratsky; August 2010
- Every Diet: Blood Type Diet
- Doctors of USC: The Blood Type Diet; Maria Adams; December 2009
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthy Weight---It's Not a Diet, It's a Lifestyle!
