The blood type diet claims that eating a particular diet of foods tailored to your own blood group can have major health benefits including protection from illnesses. But does it work and is it an effective diet for weight loss.
Yes – Cally
I first heard of the blood type diet when a friend gave me a book about it. Although I was sceptical at first, the more I read, the more it seemed to make sense. The diet works on the theory that our blood group affects how we process different foods and therefore some foods will give us health benefits whilst others, even healthy ones, can make us feel ill. When you eat the right foods for your blood group, the body works more efficiently and digests food more effectively – the result is that you feel better and can also lose weight.
My blood type is A – which means I’m ideally suited to a vegetarian diet. My partner meanwhile is O which means he should eat a high protein diet. I suppose this explains why we all crave different foods, for instance some people love red meat whilst others can’t stand it. Since starting the diet, I’ve noticed a lot of positive changes in my health. I have more energy and I no longer feel bloated after eating a meal. The added bonus is that I’ve also lost weight without really trying.
The diet may seem complicated at first but I’d say just try it. I’m still not sure exactly why it works but for me, it does!
No – Will
The blood type diet is a relatively new fad and there is no real evidence to suggest that it works. People probably feel better when they start the diet because they are paying more attention to what they eat and are choosing healthy foods rather than processed snacks. In the short term they may notice positive changes but in the long term, the blood type diet means restricting what you eat which risks cutting out crucial nutrients.
Unless you have an actual intolerance or allergy to a particular food then it is far healthier to eat a balanced diet with foods from all food groups rather than cutting certain foods out just because you believe they are somehow incompatible with your blood type. As soon as you start cutting out certain foods, you may lose weight – but you’ll also put yourself at risk of developing other health issues due to a lack of key nutrients.
It’s also totally impractical for families to follow this diet – you could end up having to cook two or more different dishes every mealtime just to cater to each person’s particular blood type.
Ask any medical expert what they think of the blood type diet and chances are they will tell you it’s a load of rubbish – there is simply no proof to suggest that what we should eat is determined by our blood group.