Can The Blood Type Diet Aid Weight Loss?

The Blood Type Diet is based on the theory that your body responds to foods differently according to your blood type. It was created by naturopath Peter D’Adamo in his book Eat Right 4 Your Type. 

According to this theory, different blood types evolved at different points in human history, adapting to different diets, and that following a diet and lifestyle that suits your blood type will make you healthier and potentially aid weight loss. 

There’s a bit of science behind this diet. D’Adamo claimed many foods have sugar-binding proteins called lectins. These are a family of proteins that can bind to carbohydrate molecules. The Blood Type Diet suggests that eating the ‘incompatible’ leptins can interfere with the body’s immune system, cause digestive issues, weight gain and fatigue. 

It also claims that if you eat foods that gel with your blood type, you’ll lose weight, ward of disease and be in optimal health.

Here’s what The Blood Type Diet looks like according to each blood type.

Foods To Eat

• Type O: Considered the oldest blood type, those with Type O should consume a Paleo-style diet, similar to that of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. This includes red meat, poultry, fish and vegetables. 

• Type A: Believed to have evolved when agriculture became prevalent, Type A are advised to follow a low-fat vegetarian diet featuring organically grown vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes and soy-based products.

• Type B: Supposedly to have descended from nomadic tribes, Type B are recommended to consume a varied diet including meats (except poultry), dairy, grains and vegetables.

• Type AB: Considered to be the most recent blood type evolutionarily, people with type AB blood are encouraged to eat an omnivorous diet including seafood, dairy products, tofu, some grains, fruit and green vegetables. 

Foods To Avoid

• Type O: Wheat, peanuts, kidney beans, dairy products, potatoes, corn, cabbage, cauliflower and coffee.

• Type A: Tomatoes, eggplants, bananas and dairy products.

• Type B: chicken, corn, soy, lentils, wheat, tomatoes, peanuts, sesame seeds and coffee.

• Type AB: bananas, corn, caffeine, alcohol, smoked or preserved meats.

There are no studies that support the link between weight loss and eating according to your blood group. It also oversimplifies nutrition as it doesn’t consider important factors such as individual health status, lifestyle and genetics. 

The restrictive aspects of the diet such as eliminating entire food groups based on blood type could lead to nutrient deficiencies if not carefully balanced.

While The Blood Type Diet has gained popularity, there is no evidence it will bring you optimal health as D’Adamo claims! There’s also been no clinical trials in humans to suggest that it will help with weight loss.

If you’re on a weight loss journey, it’s best to choose foods from every food group. A healthy, balanced diet is required for optimal mental and physical health, no matter what your blood type is! If you’re after an easy, weight-loss-friendly, balanced meal, try The Lady Shake – a healthy way to support your goals.