Diet for Blood Type A

If you're considering a diet based on blood type and you are type A, you may be surprised to learn that the diet for blood type A is vegetarian.

Locally grown foods.

The premise behind different diets for different blood types is based on a theory that different blood types evolved with man. For example, blood type O is ascribed to the first people who lived as hunter gatherers. Based on this premise, the diet suggests people with O type blood should eat a diet high in animal protein. It also suggests that type O people gain weight easily if they eat a high carbohydrate diet. The weight gain isn't blamed on eating too many simple carbohydrates but is attributed to the fact that the bodies of O type individuals aren't designed to metabolize these kinds of foods efficiently.

In the U.S., 34 percent of the population has A positive blood and another 6 percent is A negative. If you follow this diet by blood type premise, people with type A blood are descendants of people who lived an agricultural lifestyle. Based on this theory, the type A ancestors ate what was grown locally and didn't eat meat. With this in mind, the diet for blood type A does not include meat with maybe the exception of a little fish. Based on this blood type theory, two basic diets are recommended for people who want to lose weight and who have type A blood.

Following the theory that people with type A blood are directly connected to agricultural ancestors who lived tilling the land to grow their food, the diet by blood type approach for type A includes a diet high in grains and vegetables. Along with no meat, the suggested diet included very little dairy. Vegetarian foods recommended include:

• Beans
• Cereals
• Nuts
• Pasta
• Rice
• Seeds
• Vegetables

The macrobiotic diet is also recommended for people with type A blood. Like vegetarianism, the macrobiotic diet is a lifestyle choice. Diet is plant-based and natural but includes a little fish. This way of eating originated in Japan, and incorporates views and beliefs from Zen Buddhism as well as a Western-type vegetarian diet . It is a spiritual journey that transcends the typical idea of "diet" and becomes a lifestyle that changes the person to the core. Foods eaten on the macrobiotic diet include:

• Locally grown
• Fermented soy
• Grains
• Natural foods (baked, broiled or steamed)
• Soups
• Vegetables

Along with this, small amounts of nuts, seeds, fruits and fish are also eaten.

The real question isn't whether you should eat this way because of your blood type, but instead the question that burns in the minds of most is, "Will I lose weight? Is this the diet that will do it for me?" People who are desperate to lose weight and feel like they have tried and failed so many times are often ready to grab hold of the newest diet theory or idea. It gives them hope.

The truth is that eating a vegetarian diet can help many people lose weight. However, it still comes down to what you eat and how much of it. No matter what diet you choose to follow, you have choices. Vegetarians can make poor choices and gain weight just like the non-vegetarian. No matter what foods you eat, your weight will still depend on calories in and calories burned. That's the way the body works, no matter what your blood type.

If you do decide to go with the vegetarian approach, you may want to count calories until you educate yourself as to how much you're really eating. For example, one ounce of dried pecans is 189 calories, or there are 234 calories in an average avocado. These are healthy fats, but it is still important to understand how many calories you're eating if you want to lose weight.

While a vegetarian or macrobiotic diet can help you lose weight, the real question regarding the blood type diet is whether or not it is a fad. According to Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. at MayoClinic.com, "…there's no scientific evidence to support the so-called 'blood type diet'." If you are considering a major diet change based on your blood type, keep this in mind.

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