At last, eating plans that work for everyone!
Written: Jan 03 '02
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Pros: Well-researched, makes sense, easy to follow, diet in the sense of 'eating plan'
Cons: Should not be categorised with weight-loss diets. This is about healthy eating.
The Bottom Line: Try it, one step at a time. It can't do any harm! Just remember that it's not a weight-loss plan, it's a whole way of eating and living.
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| sueincyprus's Full Review: Eat Right 4 Your Type Diet |
I had mixed feelings about this book until a friend persuaded me to give it a try. In fact it was the later book, 'Live Right 4 your type' that I read first; the 'Eat right..' book is now a little out of date as a great deal more research has been done, and the eating plans modified somewhat, based on new information.
Nevertheless, when I read the 'Eat Right' book, I found it fascinating. The author, Peter D'Adamo, had done 20 years' research before publishing this book, yet he reveals his conclusions in a common-sense, logical style. This is not a 'fad' but a way of eating and living that will improve - perhaps even revolutionise - people's levels of health.
In a nutshell, the author recommends that people with type O blood group (the majority in most Western countries) eat a high protein diet, with red meat at least two or three times per week. They should cut down on carbohydrates, particularly wheat. The increase of coeliac disease (gluten intolerance) seems predominant in those with blood group O. They should also avoid potatoes, dairy products, and a few other commonly eaten foods.
Blood group A (this is my group) should be vegetarian or demi-veg (ie vegetarian but eating some poultry and fish). We should cut down on dairy products, although yogurt and mozarella cheese are acceptable. We should also avoid potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes and oranges. While legumes and nuts are generally beneficial for us, particularly soya beans, we should avoid red kidney beans, chick peas, cashew nuts and pistachios.
Blood group B (fairly rare) should eat somewhat like O types, but without any chicken. They should also avoid peanuts and corn. However Bs are the people most able to tolerate a range of dairy products. Blood group AB (rarest of all) can eat small amounts of meat, particularly lamb and turkey, but should avoid corn and chicken. Like A types, ABs should use soya products liberally.
Although some of these ideas seem quite radical, Dr D'Adamo also gives plenty of recommendations which tie in well with most research about nutrition. He stresses the need for lean, organic meat, and a variety of fresh (preferably organic) fruits and vegetables. Artificial sweeteners and products such as MSG (monosodium glutamate) are to be avoided by everyone. He also stresses the need for regular exercise, although this should be less strenuous for As and ABs than for Os and Bs.
I wasn't interested in losing weight, nor did I suffer any chronic illness, but I liked the idea of increased energy, fewer migraines, less 'brain fog'. I determined to read these books with an open mind, and found myself impressed with the low-key way Dr D'Adamo presents his ideas. He does not insist that his method is infallible, nor does he tell people to switch their eating style instantly. Instead, he suggests initially choosing ONE beneficial food, and eating more of that, while cutting out ONE 'avoid' food. This is what I did: I decided to stop eating potatoes, and to start drinking pineapple juice. I also determined to give up red meat entirely (something I was near to doing already) and to cut out cabbage - something I had been eating routinely, based on other healthy eating books, but aware that it gave me indigestion.
Within a week, I was convinced. No longer was I suffering from brain fog and exhaustion after meals. My energy was increased. I decided to cook more meals with legumes, but using aduki beans rather than red kidney beans, pinto beans rather than chick peas. No problem. I started buying and using mozarella cheese (acceptable both for As and for Os, the other type in our family) rather than cheddar. I started buying more beef to use for the O types, and discovering new recipes with lentils for the A types. Increased energy meant that cooking two separate meals seemed less tiring than my previous attempts at cooking just one that suited us all.
Obviously it's not possible to stick to the plan all the time. But for those of us in reasonable health, an 80% compliance is considered quite sufficient. If I feel like eating a few potato chips, or cooking some chicken in a tomato sauce, or eating spring rolls with cabbage inside, I will go ahead and do so. I am in charge of my life, and so long as the majority of my eating is beneficial or neutral, I may well choose to eat some 'avoid' products, while being aware of any negative symptoms that may occur some hours later. This book is about freedom of choice. No longer do we need to be swayed by the latest fad on health eating - which swings from vegetarianism through to the Atkins-style high-protein theories - because we can trust our own bodies, and our unique genetic make-up.
One caveat about this book: there are about 20% of people who find that eating according to the 'Eat Right..' theories does not help them. Further research after the book was written led to a distinction between secretors and non-secretors of the blood type. Those in the population who are non-secretors need to eat a modified version of the program, and those who are in poor health need to adhere to it more strictly. The book 'Live Right for your type..' published in 2001 gives more up-to-date information on these issues.
Further articles and lists of food, along with many recipes, can be found at the relevant web site, http://www.dadamo.com - and there are several relevant discussion groups at the yahoogroups site.
Recommended:
Yes
Food Variety Restrictions A wide variety of allowed foods
Restrictiveness of Portions Several hearty portions
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Epinions.com ID:
sueincyprus
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Member: Sue
Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 0 members
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