It's all in the blood Many women, and I'm definitely one of them, dream of a slim, glamorous silhouette and a perfectly toned body; a figure like those of our favourite celebrities gracing the pages of glossy magazines. If you desperately want a fabulous physique like Demi Moore's, Liz Hurley's, Cheryl Tweedy or Hugh Grant's, you should follow the blood group diet — a fad diet that is taking Hollywood by storm. Eating right for your blood type is the invention of Dr Peter D'Adamo, who believes that if you follow the diet that is designed particularly for your blood group, then your body digests and absorbs the food more efficiently, which ultimately results in weight loss. Plus you will feel healthier and more energetic. So whether you're planning for your wedding day, trying to fit back into your designer clothes after giving birth to your babies, or want to shed some pounds, follow this plan to achieve your goal. Blood group O O is the oldest blood group, and people with this type feel best and stay slimmest on a ‘hunter' type diet like our ancestors'. Os tend to be high achievers with lots of energy and are very organised. • Follow a low-carb and high-protein diet to drop your dress size. Being vegetarian will leave you always hungry and snacking on carbs, causing problems with your blood sugar and metabolism. • Foods to eat freely: Lean meats, fish and olive oil. • Food to eat in moderation: Seeds, nuts, eggs, certain fruits and vegetables. • Foods to avoid: Beans, cereals, dairy products, bread, pasta and rice. • Exercise: Lots of vigorous aerobic exercises in order to balance out the food intake. An hour of cardio a day and workout in the morning rather than the evening. Jogging, cycling, swimming or brisk walking would be perfect. Blood group A Blood type A evolved later than O, when people farmed more than hunted, so people with blood group type A need less protein and more grains. They tend to be highly creative, good problem-solvers and can be very sensitive. • Follow a vegetarian diet; eat less meat and more vegetables and whole meal carbs to drop a dress size. • Foods to eat freely: Nuts, seeds, cereals, pasta, rice, fruit and vegetables. • Foods to avoid: Dairy products and too much meat. • Exercise: Group As are often less active than Os, needing just 30 minutes of gentle exercise a day. Yoga, Tai Chi, golf, walking and an outdoor lifestyle suit them best. Blood group B Individuals with blood type B are the luckiest, as this blood group demands the least dietary restrictions to lose weight. They have a strong, healthy constitution and tend to be very down to earth and practical. • Combine the O and A diets; eat a bit of everything to drop your dress size. • Foods to eat freely: Meat, fish, coffee, vegetables and wheat-free grains. • Foods to avoid: Processed foods. Also make sure to have only small amounts of carb-rich foods. • Exercise: Moderate exercise, which uses brain as well as body is recommended. Tennis, hiking, netball or dancing classes two to three times a week is perfect. Blood group AB People with the rare blood type of AB, combination of types A and B, have dietary components of both and can eat just about anything. ABs are usually creative, talented for business and have a knack for getting on well with people. • Pack your diet with vegetarian foods and treat meat as a treat to drop a dress size. • Foods to eat freely: Combination of foods that are recommended for blood groups A and B: Vegetables, carbs and grains. Dairy products and fish occasionally. • Foods to avoid: Too much meat. • Exercise: Combine calming exercises with some intense activities. Yoga or pilates once a week and a couple of sessions of light jogging do the trick.
