Of all the diets that I’ve read about over the years (and I’ve read about a lot – believe me), this one surely has to be one of the more bizarre.
It’s called the Blood Type Diet, and as you’ve probably guessed, the basic premise of it is that a person’s dietary needs differ according to their own particular blood type.
Hmmmm…. my initial thoughts are that this one has the word “FAD” written all over it don’t you think? It was developed by a naturopath, and I’m really not too sure what research it was based one. Intrigued? Read on to learn more…
The basic gist: Different blood types = different dietary needs
The Blood Type Diet was founded by Peter D’Adamo, a naturopathic doctor who wrote the best-selling book Eat Right for Your Type. The overall theory is that your blood type is an important genetic factor that influences many areas of your health. Once you know it, you can supposedly eat and exercise in a way that will help you be the healthiest version of yourself, according to D’Adamo’s website.
The diet is specifically broken up by blood type—no shocker there—and there are some pretty specific recommendations for each type:
Type As are supposed to:
- Follow a vegetarian diet
- Eat pure, fresh, and organic foods
- Do hatha yoga, tai chi, and meditation to help lower their stress levels
Type Bs are supposed to:
- Steer clear of foods like corn, wheat, buckwheat, lentils, tomatoes, peanuts, and sesame seeds (since these can supposedly mess with their metabolism and make them gain weight)
- Avoid chicken (D’Adamo says it can increase your risk of strokes and immune disorders)
- Eat goat, lamb, mutton, rabbit, venison, green vegetables, eggs, and low-fat dairy
- Play tennis, do martial arts, cycle, hike, and golf to stay mentally and physically active
Type Os are supposed to:
- Avoid simple carbs and grains (type Os have higher levels of stomach acid, which, combined with these foods, can lead to bodily inflammation, D’Adamo says)
- Focus on exercise that works your cardiovascular and muscular skeletal systems, like running
Type ABs are supposed to:
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol, especially in stressful situations
- Focus on eating foods like tofu, seafood, dairy, and green vegetables, and avoid all smoked or cured meats (D’Adamo says they can increase your risk of stomach cancer)
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals
- Do a combo of calming and more intense exercises, like doing several days of running or biking, followed by yoga or tai chi
Is it safe?
Yup, the diet is safe, says Sonya Angelone, R.D., a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. At its core, the Blood Type Diet recommends eating pretty healthy stuff and doesn’t suggest eliminating entire food groups—and that’s key, Angelone says. “It is more of a shift from certain foods to other healthy options,” she adds.
Read the Full Article
So there you have it, the Blood Type Diet. I’m a type A, so I guess it’s onto the full vegetarian diet and hatha yoga for me then.
Maybe not. To be honest, I have to admit that I’m giving this one a big miss. What about you – what do you think about it? Please comment and et us know your views.