Introduced in Peter J. D'Adamo's book, "Eat Right 4 Your Type," the blood type diet is based on the notion that your digestive system is directly affected by your blood type. According to D'Adamo, not only are certain foods better suited to those with a particular blood type, these same foods might actually be dangerous for someone with a different blood type. When following this diet, it's important to choose the plan appropriate to your blood type.
Eat Right 4 Your Type
Naturopath Peter J. D'Adamo's "Eat Right 4 Your Type" outlines his theory that different diets are necessary for each of the four differing blood types, O, A, B and AB. This, he says, explains why some people can lose weight and others won't while on the same diet, and why some people maintain their vitality as they grow older and others don't. According to D'Adamo, blood type is the "key that unlocks the door to the mysteries of health, disease, longevity, physical vitality, and emotional strength." Knowing your blood type will provide a "road map" for catering your diet specifically for your blood type, he says.
Type O and Type A
D'Adamo states that those with type O blood are better suited to consume animal proteins than dairy products and grains, and a person with type O blood will gain weight from eating the gluten contained in wheat. Adamo recommends such foods as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, certain vegetables and fruits for the type O diet, which shouldn't include dairy products, beans, cereals, bread, pasta and rice. Those with type A blood, however, should stick to a vegetarian diet, primarily goods that are fresh and organic. Recommended foods for this blood type include nuts, seeds, beans, cereals, pasta, rice, fruit and vegetables.
Foods for Different Types
A person with type B blood, D'Adamo says, typically has a strong immune system, and has the fewest dietary restrictions of the four blood types. Those with type B blood can eat just about any type of food, although he suggests they avoid processed foods, nuts and seeds. The AB blood type is the rarest and most biologically complex of the blood types. D'Adamo suggests that those with type AB blood eat a combination of foods recommended for type A and type B. This can be confusing, however, as type A people should follow a vegetarian diet while type Bs can eat just about anything. Adamo circumvents this problem by recommending type AB people follow a diet that is primarily vegetarian but also includes occasional meat, fish and dairy products.
Criticism
According to a 2010 CBS News story, eating a diet specially tailored to your specific blood type isn't an effective way to lose weight, and may not provide the proper balance of nutrients. The story quotes dietician Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., who wrote on the MayoClinic.com website that there is "no sound scientific evidence" that the blood type diet is any more or less effective than any other type of diet. On the Weight Loss Resources website, dietician Juliette Kellow notes that medical experts consider Adamo's blood-type theory to be "nonsense," adding that no qualified nutritionist of dietician would ever recommend this diet.
References
- Eat Right For Your Type: How Blood Type Determines Your Health
- CBS News; Blood Type Diet Debunker: Does it Really Work?; David W. Freeman; October 2010
- Eat Right For Your Type: What's Your Blood Type?
- Trusted Diet Reviews: Blood Type Diet Review
- Weight Loss Resources; The Blood Type Diet Under the Spotlight; Juliette Kellow
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