Follow a diet that's designed specifically for your blood group and you'll lose weight, feel healthier and lower your risk of many diseases. At least, that's what Dr Peter D'Adamo, naturopath and creator of the Blood Type Diet claims in his book Eat Right For Your Blood Type.

What is it?

It is based on the idea that each blood group has its own unique antigen marker (a substance that the body recognises as being alien) and this marker reacts badly with certain foods, leading to all sorts of potential health problems. Furthermore, Dr D'Adamo believes that levels of stomach acidity and digestive enzymes are linked with your blood type. Consequently, he says, by following a diet designed specifically for your blood type, your body digests and absorbs food more efficiently, with the result that you lose weight.

How does it work?

This diet works on the theory that the body has different reactions to food depending on a person's blood group. Each ABO blood type is categorized under the following diet profiles:

• Type O: Meat eaters
• Type A: Vegetarians
• Type B: Omnivores
• Type AB: Mixed diet eaters.

After finding out what group you fall into with a blood test, you have to strictly stick to the diet suitable for you:

• Type O: The diet recommended for people with blood type O is simply a variation on many of the typical high-protein, low-carb diets that are currently popular, such as the Atkins diet. You can freely eat meat, fish and olive oil, while you can eat eggs, nuts, seeds, certain vegetables and fruits in moderation. It is recommended that you stay away from dairy products. To complement your food intake, you must engage in vigorous aerobic exercise as well such as running.
• Type A: People with blood type A must avoid all red meat and dairy products. You should only eat a mixture of vegetable, seeds beans and cereals. You can do great on wheat (but not very high bran), idli, dosa, pasta, roti, bread, mung dal, channa dal, soya roti etc. This vegetarian diet should be combined with more gentle exercise such as yoga.
• Type B: This blood group has the least dietary restrictions. You can eat most food groups including meat, dairy and vegetables. Avoid too many cereals like wheat (bread, sandwich, pizza, roti, sooji, etc.) Some dals (pulses) do well with this blood group like mung dal, channa dal, lobhia, rajmah etc. When it comes to exercise, Dr D’Adamo recommends activities that have mental component, such as hiking, tennis and swimming.
• Type AB: People with this blood group has the friendliest immune system of all the blood types. It has most of the benefits and limitations of types A and B. Somewhat confusing when type B allows you to eat most foods, while type A suggests a vegetarian diet! Dr D’Adamo gets around this by suggesting that type ABs follow a veggie diet most of the time with some meat, fish and dairy products occasionally. It’s the same when it comes to exercise too – you should combine calming exercises with moderately intense activities.

Advantages of Blood Group Diet

• Instead of counting calories and fat grams, this diet provides a detailed list of food to be avoided or included.
• It also identifies how big your portions should be and the type of exercise that is suited to your diet.
  
• Most of the foods recommended in the diet are unprocessed and natural.

Disadvantages of Blood Group Diet

• If you have Type O blood, your risk of heart disease may increase.
• You could miss out on essential vitamins and minerals, because the diet suggests cutting out different food groups depending on your blood group.
• This diet is written keeping in mind the people who eat non-veg also as part of their diet. So if a person happens to be a vegetarian which is often the case in Indians, it is very difficult to follow the diet.
• Mealtimes may be impossible if everyone in the family wants to follow the diet, but has a different blood group!

We all have different nutritional needs, and different people are suited to different types and amounts of food. So trying out this diet is a good idea. And one needs follow it only if one feels comfortable.