The blood type diet, as explained in Eat Right For Your Type, was created by Dr. Peter D'Adamo. According to his explanation, we all have a 'perfect' way to eat based on our blood type. D'Adamo asserts that if you follow his guidelines you will be supremely healthy and filled with energy.
If you know your blood type, this is what he says you should be eating:
Type O: meat, meat and more meat, or high protein and low carbohydrate
Type A: lots of vegetables with no red meat at all
Type B: focus on dairy products
Type AB: a "balanced" diet with equal amounts of meat and veggies
Is The Blood Type Diet "Right"?
I really try hard to be as objective as possible when reviewing products but we humans cannot help but take our own experience into account. My blood type is O and his advice is 100% wrong for me. I am a vegetarian – close to a vegan – and it's because:
I don't like meat.
I don't feel good when I eat meat. I feel sluggish and heavy whereas with fruits, veggies and grains I feel much lighter and healthier.
Another comment from the book is that those with the lean, muscular bodies tend to have blood type O. I am definitely not lean and muscular naturally but must work at being that way. The D'Adamo explanation is in contrast with the many-thousand years old ayurvedic system which more suitably explains my particular physique than does the blood type diet.
I am suspicious of any "one size fits all" diet prescription such as that offered by Eat Right For Your Type. We are physically complex creatures with infinite variety in our personal situations and one type B (for instance) may be vastly different from another person with the same blood type.
Much research has been done on what our biological ancestors ate. Although much of this is only speculation since, obviously, nobody from a million years ago is still around. :-) But it's clear that hundreds of thousands of years of eating certain foods has affected us genetically. And our ancestors were opportunists: they ate whatever was available. Meat, sure, but berries, nuts and grains as well, without the slightest concern for 'blood type'.
Further, many doctors have criticized Dr. D'Adamo's blood type diet, claiming that it is not based on any sound evidence and that the references listed in his book don't support his research.
Still, there are many who rave about the blood type diet and base their diets on the information contained in Eat Right For Your Type. If this diet appeals to you, investigate it further and give it a try. The fact that we don't accept its premises doesn't mean it isn't right for you.
For more diet reviews on popular diets
Jack says
I’m an O and some what follow Eat for your blood Type. And yes Os should get most of their protein from meat ( lean red meat and fish). And it’s easy to over look: most of our nutrients (and the largest part of our diet should come from veggies (especially green leafy veggies) and fruit (berries, apples, plums, and non acid fruits).
BlissPlan says
Jack, it’s great to get feedback from a fellow ‘O’. Do you find the diet good for you? I just don’t like meat so won’t even try it – I can handle the fruit and veggies, though. :-) Appreciate your feedback.