By Dr Paul Kasenene
Should we be eating food for our blood type?
The theory behind the eat right for your blood type diet is that people with different blood types process food differently. According to the theory, individuals adhering to a diet specific to one’s blood type can improve health and decrease risk of chronic illness such as cardiovascular disease.
Dr. D’Adamo (the primary promoter) lays out 4 different diets, one for each of the blood types: Type A: The agrarian or cultivator should eat plant rich diets with no red meat. Type A diets should most resemble a vegetarian.
Type B: The nomad can eat plants and meat (except chicken and pork) and some dairy. They should avoid wheat, corn, lentil,
tomatoes and a few other foods. Type AB: The enigma, is a ‘mix’ between types A and B, and should eat a diet rich in seafood, tofu, dairy, beans and grains. However, they should exclude kidney beans, corn, beef and chicken.
Type O: The hunter should eat high protein diets that are rich in meat, fish, poultry, some fruits and vegetables, but limit grains,
legumes and dairy.
This eating plan has become so popular in Uganda and globally. Why? Many reasons. However, what I have come to realize is that
most people who end up exploring this eating style, do so because they are looking to find a solution to some kind of health or wellness
challenge or they are trying to avoid one. It may be that they are trying to lose weight or have not been successful on other plans. It may be that they have diabetes,
hypertension or some other chronic disease. While a few people fear that if they don’t follow it, they could be harming or even poisoning themselves.
The Logic In Africa and Uganda in particular, most people do not know their blood groups. I am not sure if you know yours. Our parents may know their blood groups but our grandparents are unlikely to have known theirs. And yet they ate food, lived long and healthy lives,
many living into their 90s and hundreds. They were much healthier than most people are today.
The science The theory takes into consideration an important aspect of nutrition; the way our body digests and utilizes the food we eat.
The theory behind it is that people with a specific blood group will digest certain food better than people with other blood groups and
therefore by eating food that is best suited for your blood group, you will have much better health whereas if you eat foods that
are not suited for your blood type, your health may be negatively affected and could even increase your risk for health and weight
problems.
The drawbacks to this theory Digestion is not the only aspect to be considered when we talk about food. Factors such as the nutrient content, number of calories, the way it has been grown or reared including use of potentially toxic chemicals, hormones and antibiotics, as well as the potential of the food to cause cancer, allergies or other problems must be considered.
