Diet for Type AB Blood

In his 1996 book, "Eat Right 4 Your Type," Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo suggests that eating a diet based on your blood type is an effective way to lose weight and get healthy. If you are interested in trying a blood type diet for type AB blood, the following will give you basic information about the diet and help you to choose the right foods. This may, in turn, help you to lose weight and enjoy greater health.

Background

• In "Eat Right 4 Your Type," D'Adamo explores the theory that lectins (which are a type of protein found in food) interact differently with different blood types. Because the effects of the lectins may be negative, he recommends emphasizing or deemphasizing specific food groups in the diets of people with each blood type to reduce adverse reactions to the lectins. These negative reactions may affect digestive health, immunity and metabolic function.

Criticism

• Skeptics of the blood type diet most frequently cite D'Adamo's lack of clinical studies to prove his theory. To date, there have been no published clinical studies, although there are some purported to be in progress. In addition, many scientists and physicians have expressed doubt about the severity of the negative effects of lectins and some have questioned D'Adamo's theories on blood type and evolution, a major factor in the premise of his book and of the diet.

Effectiveness

• While some doubt D'Adamo's theories and claims, a report published on D'Adamo's website shows that approximately 75 percent of people who follow a blood type diet lose weight and improve their health. Because of the lack of clinical studies, though, there is no official measure of the diet's effectiveness. Nevertheless, because of the healthfulness of the foods recommended for people with type AB blood, people who follow the diet are likely to experience improved health and weight loss.

Permitted and Excluded Foods

• People following an AB blood type diet are encouraged to eat an abundance of whole grains, vegetables, fruits and fish. They are also permitted to eat a moderate amount of dairy products, lamb, turkey, nuts, seeds and olive oil.

  Foods that should be avoided include red meats, chicken, shellfish, corn, seeds, and refined carbohydrates such as white bread and sweets.

Sample Diet

• Breakfast
  1 cup prepared oatmeal
  ¼ cup blueberries

  Morning Snack
  1 oz. cheddar cheese
  6 whole wheat crackers

  Lunch
  Turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomatoes
  Baby carrots dipped in humus

  Afternoon snack
  6 oz. light yogurt

  Dinner
  Lamb chop
  ½ cup brown rice
  Green salad with balsamic vinegar and olive oil