Continuing in the footsteps of his physician father, naturopath Peter J. D’Adamo explores what he sees as a solid link between blood type and health. According to his theory, your blood type determines your susceptibility to disease, which foods you can tolerate, and what kinds of exercise are beneficial. When people eat the right foods for their blood type, D’Adamo says, excess weight falls off—sometimes even faster than they might like. It’s a matter of internal chemistry, as D’Adamo explains in his book Eat Right for Your Type (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1996). Companion books include Allergies: Fight Them With the Blood Type Diet and Fatigue: Fight It With the Blood Type Diet (both, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2005).
Most health experts would agree with D’Adamo that a “one size fits all” approach to dieting is wrong—but few would say that a plan based on blood type is the answer. In fact, there’s no science to support the strategy. Chances are meat-loving Type AB dieters will see through the hocus-pocus pretty quickly since, according to the regimen, they should dine on tofu rather than steak. For others, the unique approach might sound promising at first, but chances are it’ll end up being a big headache.
Basic principles:
There are four blood types: A, AB, B, and O. People with different types require different foods for optimal health. The diet isn’t really about dropping pounds, but D’Adamo claims that “weight loss is one of the natural side effects.” Dieters need to avoid foods that are toxic to, or promote weight gain for, their particular type. Recommendations for exercise also vary depending on blood type.
How the diet works:
Sixteen food groups (such as meats, dairy and eggs, grains, and spices) are divided into three categories: highly beneficial foods, neutral foods, and foods to avoid. The idea is to eat moderate portions from the beneficial and neutral lists and steer clear of items on the taboo list. For instance, Type O’s should avoid ice cream, caviar, and (no kidding) barracuda. Type A’s must abstain from buttermilk, sherbet, and pistachios. Taboo for Type B’s are ketchup, corn syrup, and rhubarb. The no-no’s for Type AB’s: nearly every meat on the planet, including chicken, pork, veal, ground beef, and buffalo.
What you can eat:
Again, everything hinges on your blood type—no calorie counting, no measuring portions. Type O dieters fare well with high-protein meals that include lean organic meats (no more than 6 ounces per meal) and limited amounts of grains, legumes, and beans. Dairy, on the other hand, is poorly tolerated, and wheat products typically cause weight gain. Type A’s do best on a high-carb, low-fat vegetarian regimen. Type B’s can enjoy a varied diet, including dairy and grains. Get the picture?
Does the diet take and keep weight off?
No clinical data. D’Adamo offers anecdotal evidence that the diet “works for 9 out of 10 people.” But it’s unclear if by “works” he means a drop in pounds or an improvement in overall health.
Is the diet healthy?
Debatable. There’s no concrete meal plan here to evaluate. Dieters will be choosing and avoiding foods based on lists. They could choose wisely, but they could just as easily choose poorly.
What do the experts say?
“We all have individual needs, but basing what you eat on blood type is ridiculous,” says registered dietitian Jane Kirby, author of Dieting for Dummies (Wiley, second edition, 2003). Edee Hogan, RD, a nutrition and culinary consultant in Washington, D.C., agrees: “There’s no indication that blood type has anything to do with anything other than blood type. Your basic nutrition needs are the same whether you’re A-positive or B-negative.”
Who should consider the diet?
Nobody.
Bottom Line:
Don’t bother.
Lead writer: Maureen Callahan, M.S., R.D.
Comments (25)
The blood type diet has worked for me. Since starting, 2 months ago, I have lost 12 pounds. More importantly, I feel much better. I do not feel sluggish or in a “fog” like before. I am striving to make good choices and balancing by meals. I also know several people on the diet that have commented that their seasonal allergies have improved.
When I followed the eat for your blood type I lost weight and felt good. Soon as I strayed from it and choose foods that were not for my type I felt my arthristis again and gained weight. I’m going back to the diet for a real life-style change. The reviewers need to try it before criticizing.
I used to be slim.Now,I am a little fat.Do You help me.
I have been on the blood type diet for 2 weeks. I have lost 9 lbs. I have severe bone and joint degeneration. I have cut my pain medication in half. I am feeling better and have less asthma problems. My allergies are not as severe.
I thought that it was just my imagination, so one day I ate all the stuff on the “NO” list. I could barely get out of bed the next day. I was in pain and had swelling in my joints. I am sticking to the diet.
I think ’science’ wants to keep people from bein healthy and feeling good. then there is no need for their chemical medications. I notice that all these so called ’scientists’ and “doctors’ will pooh pooh this diet but none bother to actually STUDY the results, yet they accuse Dr. D’Adamo of promoting it without ‘proof’ the proof is in the pudding for me… Im sticking with this wonderful lifestyle change… i have been diagnosed with severe degenerative disk disease and I also have arthritis in my knees…I feel so much less pain when Im eating whats right for my blood type and Im losing weight too… which is much needed. MY DOCTOR IS EVEN ON THIS LIFESTYLE OF EATING PLAN AND HE SWEARS BY IT! so to all the ‘rediculous skeptics’ I say PBLLLTTTTT! dont knock it till you’ve tried it. (they are just mad cause we arent using their chemicals)
GOD BLESS DR. D’ADAMO.
I have only been on the Blood type diet for a week now and feel very active and no aches and pains, lots of energy. I’m a Blood type A, which is quite a hard case as I didn:t know about this stuff until a month ago…But now know why I didn”t like meat and cooked vegs. Always prefered to have salad, sneaking into the cupboard to much on the raisins and nuts.
Now I auctually enjoying eating food, some thing I never did before.
Tofu,rice, couccous,salads, nuts, friut, cereals,corrects breads,soya milk.
Great thing is Still allowed that chocolate cake.”"”"
So going without cows, milk,cows,chesses i can handle that.
just me agin..forgot to say A is vegeterian..no red meat what so ever. but we can have chicken and fish if we want.
The people above were probably eating so badly before they started this freakish, no evidence diet that they feel better if they are eating anything that didn’t come out of a can.
It only makes sense to consume what your body is designed to process.
I am fortunate enough to know a handful of people whom also follow this diet, and have modified it for their specific body diseases and isms.
I am type O and have hypothyroidism. My daily meal plan is this:
Glass of water non tap with squeezed slice of lemon plus one packet of Stevita sweetner (non sugar), on empty stomach. Helps alkaline levels and kills parasites in digestive tract.
I also juice. I received this recipe from my personal nutritionist/lightworker who is 67 yrs old.
2 celery stalks
2 carrots
1/2 green apple
1/2 pear
1/3 to 1/2 cucumber
Fresh ginger
If you sweeten use the Stevita, agave juice or Grade C maple syrup.
Blood Types should avoid all soy, it is not a health food, and all grains.
Stay vibrant
For blood type O:
Maybe blood type may have some effect on certain medications. Has there ever been a study of medications vs. blood type?
Thank you Ed
I am 23 yrs old and I have been following my blood type diet for two months now and I am healthier than I was in high school not to mention I have lost a total of twenty five lbs. and counting, thanks to this article I am happy and confident in my own skin!
I’m type O and I’ve always eaten well but getting older (45) I’ve been looking at ways to make myself feel better. Am starting to feel arthritic and sore in the morning. A friend told me about this and I thought I’d give it a try. It made sense. I’ve never tolerated pork or dairy well and wheat products just make me feel bloated. I’ve been on it now for about a week and I already feel better. I’m not down any weight but I feel healthier and my skin is clearer. Also I’m sleeping better.
I think it’s worth a try for anyone not feeling 100%. No need to bash it before you try it.
Help!Iam depressed and upset over the weight I have gained.Ime 67 and considering lap-band surgery but Ime secard of it too.Mayb wt. watchers is best for me.talk to me……….
I may not be a doctor, but I have a tough time believing that there is no scientific indication that blood type and diet are not and should not be related. My family is of mediterranean descent and I have type B- blood, as do many people from that part of the world. It is recommended that people with my blood type eat foods like lamb, dairy whole grains etc., all of which are seen in a typical “mediterranean diet”. I have found that my health and general quality of life improve when my diet mainly consists of these types of foods. It seems to me that the blood type diet has the potential to be beneficial if it is not just a diet, but a lifestyle change.
Thank you to everyone who posted their stories. I am very intersted in this and the article almost made me not do it. It was great to read actual stories from those who have really tried it!
well, hi admin adn people nice forum indeed. how’s life? hope it’s introduce branch ;)
You do people a disservice by simply summarily debunking this approach to diet and overall health. You offer no rationale. Do you provide the same or similar cynicism when asked about the mega-pharmaceutical and FDA craze overtaking our culture?
I have no idea what blood type I am. How can you tell? Is there some way? Also, we are writing a report on this diet for school. Can someone email me?
I love how people will take sleeping pills, and anti depressants from doctors to make em feel good, yet they sit here and bash a diet ….
The world is stuck on a FDA Pharmaceutical craze, where everybody has something wrong with them and need a magic pill to make em feel better….
And you come and bash a diet….
Yeah have fun with the stomach stapling, botox friends of yours……
i am 41 yr old with B-ve blood group and 90 kg wt having ovarian cyst and small fibroids. now 2YR BACK on miriena(progestron based) leads to forced menopause. trying to loose wt for last 2 yr through diet and regular exersis but of no use .KINDLY HELP
My boyfriend and I have been doing this for about three months now. He’s Type A and I’m Type B. I did a chart of the things we could and could not have and highlighted the things we had in common to make meal planning a bit easier.
We’ve both lost weight, but more importantly, we both feel better. He was diagnosed with GERD, and was taking Protonix every other day. He hasn’t had to take it in at least a month or so. I’m a migraine sufferer, but since eating according to my type, I very seldom even get a headache. I believe there is something to it, and when I eat the stuff on the “AVOID” list, I can immediately feel it. One thing I will say – I live in Florida and I really miss eating shrimp, crabs, mussels and oysters!!!
I also exercise at home each night for about an hour, which has also helped me to sleep better and just feel better overall. I hope this helps someone!
if a and bs are primarily vegetarians why are we told no wheat and alot of other grains and vegetables and fruits? curious to know.
I think a few more “experts” need to try the recommendations before shooting it down. It is less a diet than guidelines. I am a type “O”. I came across this book in 2003. I grew up eating whole wheat, but have found that the bloating and gas disappear when I choose oatmeal bread (MADE WITH OATMEAL FLOUR). My eyes became puffy a few years ago immediately after eating ice cream. They do not do this when I avoid dairy. I tried meatless meals in the 90’s because it was considered “healthy”. I never felt so sick in the morning when I had these meatless meals. I am a slim–almost 52 year old, who works out at the gym almost daily and feels great. Except for a low thyroid (also typical for type O) have no health issues. It will be very hard to sell me that blood type is not a valid indicator based how I feel. And as another addition, a friend of mine is a Type A. She has done very well following the recommendations for her blood type. I think it is well worth the medical community to look closer, as we all know that receiving the wrong blood in the hospital can cost you your life. Maybe those antibodies are more important with the food we eat that we ever believed?
I am type O. For the skeptics: I have always eaten a fresh, healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and complex grains and gotten plenty of exercise. This did not prevent weight gain. Reducing my portions, increasing my exercise or any of the other usual recommendations have never helped me lose weight. This diet, however, is working for me. Perhaps the theory is pushed too far and maybe there are other explanations as to why it works. For me the important thing is that this is the first time any such change has worked. I would never have thought that switching from milk to soy milk, cutting out yoghurt, eating sweet potatoes and cutting out wheat (I usually ate whole wheat or multigrain breads) and corn would work so well. I am also happy to avoid fruits and vegetables I never cared for, but had learned to eat.
I have started the blood type diet about two weeks ago, i sleep better, i do not have cravings, i get full quickly when i eat the right foods.
Yesterday i slept the whole night peacefully i wake up tired, is it because i do not eat bread (so called energy foods)