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| The idea that you should eat certain foods and avoid others, and exercise according to your blood type, originated with Eat Right 4 Your Type, a book published in the 1990s. According to the author, Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo, avoiding specific nutrients can improve your health and prevent disease. For example, if you have the A-positive blood type, you would avoid beef, pork, lamb, and many other types of food. |
| But are these claims true? Below, Kirsten Seele, a registered dietitian at Healthline, gives the inside scoop.
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Let’s look into it,
Tim Snaith
Newsletter Editor, Healthline
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Written by Tim Snaith
May 7, 2026 • 2 min read |
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| Q: |
Does blood type affect how you process food? |
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| A: |
This diet has not been scientifically proven. Due to the lack of evidence, I do not promote it to my clients.
When clients come to me for advice on a specific diet, I love to give them key things to look out for, regardless of the diet they’re considering. The four things to think about are found below:
What evidence supports the benefits and claims of this diet? Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to understand the medical community’s stance on a particular diet. Often, you’ll find the existing research is inconclusive, in which case it may be helpful to talk with a doctor or dietitian.
Does this diet promote the elimination of certain foods or food groups? If yes, be cautious, especially if it’s severely restrictive. This can lead to health concerns, nutrient deficiencies, and reduced quality of life.
Does this diet promise results with no exercise required? Find an alternative if you’re looking for outcomes related to weight management, chronic disease prevention or management, or improved mental health.
Is someone trying to make money through this diet or selling extra supplements, plans, etc.? If yes, be leery!
As a dietitian, I promote whole foods and exercise, which are two main focuses of the blood type diet. However, without adequate scientific backing, there’s no reason to avoid certain foods or take a plethora of supplements, bars, teas, etc.
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| Kirsten Steele, Registered Dietitian |
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| Want to learn more about food, diets, cooking, or some other nutrition subject? Let us know at nutritionedition@healthline.com and we’ll look into it for you! (Heads up, we may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.)
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| Is Type 2 Diabetes Curable? |
| Registered dietitian nutritionist, Val Goldberg, explains that diabetes is not always a lifelong condition and discusses the possibility of type 2 diabetes remission through proper nutrition. |
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| What we’re digesting |
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