The Eat Right for Your Type Diet: Peter D’Adamo

Oh, the diet plan choices – they can be overwhelming!  One of the plans to choose from has to do with your blood type.

Peter D’Adamo has devised a diet plan which is based on your blood type. He is convinced that what you need as far as diet goes is dictated by what’s inside your veins. This is how his plan works.

The book entitled ‘Eat Right 4 Your Type’ tells us that the various blood types need different kinds of nutrition and by changing what you eat to fit in with these requirements you will be able to lose weight and get into tip top shape.

Detailed below are the four blood type groups, according to D’Adamo.

Blood Type A: People with this blood type have a sensitive digestive system.  They are advised to have more vegetables than other groups as well as eating fish of some kind on a daily basis. However, dairy produce should only be eaten in moderation and red meats should be avoided wherever possible. People with Type A blood should partake light exercise only.

Blood Type B: With such a strong immune system you can eat red meat and dairy products. Fruit, vegetables and fish consumption is okay too, but chicken should be steered well clear of.

Blood Type AB: Due to the fact that your immune system is relatively strong, you can happily combine the foods of Types A and B above.

Blood Type O:  Lots of protein and only a few carbs and dairy products are ideal for what you need. People with Blood Type O tend to be lactose intolerant.  You love exercise so go for it and make it as energetic as you like!

The diet details how the blood inside your body accounts for what goes on within.  The foods you like and dislike, the allergies you may suffer from and the foods best for you to lose weight are determined by your type of blood.

The book shows which foods should be consumed by the dieter depending on their blood group and close attention needs to be paid to everything they eat and drink when following the diet. It is strict and certain foods are forbidden. Preparing foods to set recipes may be found to be a little time consuming for those people who are constantly on the go.

Exercise is recommended depending on your Blood Type but unless you are a Group O Type, you can expect exercise to be light. The taking of vitamin supplements is encouraged along with eating particular kinds of foods.

As of yet there is no scientific proof that people using the Blood Type Diet lose weight because of their genetics as opposed to adopting a healthier eating plan. Let’s face it, we all know that making healthy choices about food and eating a well balanced diet will provide our bodies with the necessary nutrients to make natural repairs and boost our immune system. This can only lead to a longer, happier and healthier life.

What do I think about this?  Well, as I have had tremendous improvements in my well-being by identifying and eliminating my food intolerances through a blood test, I certainly believe that your blood can give you insight into what is good for you.  However, I do think this blood type diet is more strict than necessary.  Going through a period of eliminating certain foods can do your body good (such as a short-term detoxification diet), but after that point I think it is okay to reintroduce those foods but just on a less frequent basis.

With that said, any diet that encourages lots of vegetable and other natural food consumption, as well as some degree of exercise, gets at least one gold star in my book.  Those two principles form a good foundation for a healthy life.

To your health,

Kimberly

Eating Disorders: Not Just a Female Thing

When people think about eating disorders it tends to be well known females who spring to mind. However, it isn’t just women and girls who are affected by this; men and boys are also prone to suffering with eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia.

There is a distinct stigma associated with having problems controlling what you eat and this is not something new. It has been around for a long time, although as far as male eating disorders go, many people are unaware that men and boys can be affected too. It was revealed in a Harvard study during 2007 that 25% of those taking part were males suffering with anorexia and as much as 40% were males who binge eat. These figures are relatively high for a condition considered to be more female oriented than male.

Of course, when females wear snuggly-fitting jeans and tops the effects of eating disorders are much more noticeable. The shape of their bodies is revealed and more often than not their bones protrude from under their skin, a sight which causes distress to the people close to them.

Girls and women will discuss their new diet regime with their friends.  On the other hand the male population is capable of keeping the results of their eating disorders under wraps. This is because any apparent changes in their body form are quickly put down to any other reason but an eating disorder. In fact, many parents of sons are totally unaware than eating disorders can affect their children.

Due to the fact that an association with what is predominantly a girls’ disease could be viewed as unmanly or even feminine, many men will not admit to suffering with such a condition. So, what do they do? They conceal the pain they are feeling and make sure no-one knows about their obsession with food.

Females are constantly having photos thrust at them of what the modeling agencies and glossy magazines refer to as the perfect body. This creates so much pressure on teenagers who have only one desire in life and that is to fit in and be popular with others. But really, it isn’t any different for men and boys. They also see the rock hard muscles on male models and actors and strive to obtain the same appearance in order to attract girls. In the long run, this kind of thinking can ruin the health and the self image of any male especially if he chooses to eat unhealthily and practice bad exercise habits.

Even in this day and age men are still reluctant to step up and admit they have an eating disorder because of the female association with the condition and for this reason the problem is not diagnosed by the medical professionals as much in men and boys. Recently, however, a few Hollywood actors have revealed that they are victims of such disorders and by doing so they are hoping to raise awareness so the signs can be more easily spotted by parents, siblings and friends of those who are unfortunate enough to be suffering in this way. This is seen to be the first step in accepting that men and boys are affected by eating disorders, just as women and girls are.

Weight Watchers – Is it your weight loss solution?

Hi all,

Ever thought of trying Weight Watchers to get rid of those extra few (or many) pounds?  I’ve never done it myself but know people that have had a lot of success with it.  Here is some info about how it works.  Maybe it is the right thing to aid you in weight loss!

Since the 1960′s the Weight Watchers programme has been popular amongst those wanting to get rid of those excess pounds and look and feel healthier. Backed by body science and proving to be a great way to lose weight for many satisfied dieters, this is how it works.

It’s an eating plan which implements a points system to help dieters keep a tab on their eating habits. The dieter first completes a brief survey and based on the answers provided a pointed eating programme is allocated. As the weight loss begins, the amount of points allowed decreases. However, the good news is that all food and drink is assessed with a point value, so even if you are eating out in a restaurant you can have a little bit of what you fancy.

When you are watching how you use your points it becomes clear which of your eating habits need addressing in order for you to lose weight and become healthier.  The programme offers support by way of meetings held each week affording dieters the luxury of being able to discuss their strengths and weaknesses with others following the regime.

The Core Plan came along next, a programme developed from the Points System.  The Core Plan allows the dieter to choose food from a list of healthy foods instead of totting up the points each day. Those taking part can eat until they are satisfied as long as they only consume what is on the list of allowed foods, and they will lose weight in the same way as the Point System.

Weight Watchers then expanded to the World Wide Web and on line dieters were able to use e-tools to help manage their eating and exercise routines. Recipes became plentiful and information was available to determine how many points any given serving contained.

The latest step forward as far as Weight Watchers are concerned is their Momentum Program. This consists of a combination of the Points System and those little extras called filling foods. People on this diet begin with the basic point counting programme which helps them decide which foods to eat and teaches them all about portion control. They are then allowed to move to the next stage and introduce filling foods, those extras to give you an energy boost and to make you feel as if you are not starving yourself.

The whole attitude of Weight Watchers is to make the dieter aware of healthy eating. Its not simply about counting points as this only tends to make dieters stick to their allocated point allowance instead of actually changing their views about what they eat. For example, using up 30 points eating sweets is within the points allowance, but it is really healthy? The answer to that question is a resounding NO! Dieters need to use their points as healthily as possible on a balanced intake of food without any particular food being permanently banned.

Eating habits continue to be tracked whilst on the Momentum Programme and this helps the dieter to remain on track and stops any straying back to the poor food choices of the past.

The Weight Watchers diet provides the dieter with all they need to be successful. Additionally, the support system is invaluable in achieving the weight loss you are aiming for.  A good coaching or mentoring system is useful no matter what your goal!

Is it a long term solution?  My feeling is no with regards to the Points system, but possibly yes when talking about the Core Plan .  I think it can be a good way to achieve some quick results and to help you change your eating habits and your mentality about food.   Then once you’re on a role, you can just start eating sensibly on your own.

Has anyone out there tried Weight Watchers?  I would love to hear your experiences and what worked or didn’t work for you.

To your health,

Kimberly

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