By Leslie Bonci, MPH,RD,CSSD,LDNM
Eat Right for Your Blood Type
Should you follow a specific diet and exercise plan based upon your blood type? That is what Dr. D’Adamo suggests in his book Eat Right for Your Blood Type. D’Adamo is a naturopathic doctor who feels that one’s blood type may determine which diseases and illnesses you may develop. It is an intriguing approach; however, no research has been conducted, and there are no studies that show blood type can be a predictor for the development of certain diseases.
That being said, if you are intrigued by the idea of eating according to your blood type, here is the basic premise of the diet: D’Adamo is that not everyone should follow the same diet, and that blood type and your race determines tolerance to what you should and should not eat. Based on this, there are 16 groups of food that are highly beneficial, neutral or should be avoided.
According to the blood-type diet, there are four blood types:
- Type O - the oldest blood type
- Type A - agrarian
- Type B - nomadic
- Type AB - modern
What Determines the Amounts
Women would eat the lower amount per day. According to Dr. D’Adamo, these calculations are based upon your ethnicity. Within a blood type, you need to alter your intake of particular food groups if you are Asian, Caucasian or African American.
Food Groups and Blood Type
Type O should eat lean meat, poultry, fish, fruits and vegetables, limit grains and dairy, and exercise vigorously.
Type A should eat soy foods, grains, organic vegetables and do more gentle exercise.
Type B should eat dairy foods, meat, produce, corn or wheat and do moderate exercise. No beans.
Type AB should eat seafood, tofu, dairy, produce, limit chicken, beef, pork and do calming exercise.
Benefits of Eating According to Blood Type
Dr. D’Adamo recommends lots of fruits and vegetables, and eating enough protein through lean meats, poultry, soy foods, seafood and low-fat dairy. He also recommends consuming fat daily, and limiting sugar and alcohol. This is exactly what a registered dietitian would say too, with some caveats.
Potential Problems
The diet may be too low in particular nutrients, especially calcium for those groups that are told to limit dairy; or protein, especially for Type As that are not soy eaters; and potentially low in fiber in those types that are not to consume beans or lentils or grains. Most Americans fall short of calcium, fiber, potassium and, in some cases, protein. An eating pattern should not add to those deficiencies. That said, eating is never one size fits all; you have to personalize, customize and modify to make the plan your own.
