Parents are always concerned about the diets of their children, and they have a reason to be. Healthy eating is crucial for a child’s health and development, and that means making sure they have the right kinds of food, the right amount of foods and a healthy mix of physical activity.
Most parents want their children to have an active lifestyle, that includes eating a variety of foods. They want to make sure they are getting all the nutrients they need, but they also want to make sure they are getting them in the right way. For some, this may mean looking at the recent trends in health and diet.
We have seen trendy diets come and go, and a lot of parents may wonder if they can be used on their children. One of the most recent ones that has been gaining some traction is called the “Blood Type Diet,” and we wanted to take a closer look to see if this diet was not only appropriate for children, but if it was safe as well.
What Is The Blood Type Diet?
According to WebMD, the blood type diet is eating a diet of foods that are based off your blood type. If you are an O, A, B or AB, that there are certain foods that you should be eating. It is stated that the foods you eat chemically react with your blood type, and if you follow this diet, your body will digest food more efficiently.
This means that you will lose weight, have more energy and prevent illnesses. Here is a brief outline on what each blood type is supposed to be eating:
- Type O Blood: This blood type should be eating a high-protein diet that is heavy on lean meat, chicken, fish and vegetables. They advise that they go light on grains, beans and dairy items.
- Type A Blood: This diet is focused on fruits and vegetables, and has no meat products. It also encourages the consumption of beans, legumes and whole grains.
- Type B Blood: For this diet, you want to eat more green vegetables, eggs, certain meats and low-fat dairy. You want to avoid corn, wheat, lentils, tomatoes and peanuts.
- Type AB Blood: This diet calls for individuals to focus on tofu, seafood, dairy and green vegetables. They are told to avoid caffeine and cured meats.
Now that we know what these diets consist of, we can now look on if they should be encouraged for children.
Is It A Healthy Diet For Anyone?
Some may wonder if this is a healthy and safe diet for anyone, and the answer for adults may be a bit more complicated.
According to Eating Well, there is not enough research to say that this diet is beneficial for anyone, whether it makes you lose weight or leads to a healthier life with fewer illnesses.
It seems to be a diet like every other one, and some may choose to give it a try, and some may not thrive on diets and prefer to eat everything in moderation.
What About Kids?
According to Michigan State University, the bottom line is that kids do not need to be on any diet when they are younger. Since this diet does not have any scientifically-backed benefits, it may be best to avoid it for your children.
Children require a wide range of foods and nutrients, and sticking them to one specific group of food could be dangerous, and should only be done after speaking to a pediatrician. That is because if you have your child on a plant-based diet, for example, it is going to be important to make sure they are not missing out on any nutrients that meat and protein provide.
This meal plan can also pose some problems for children who are picky eaters. If their blood type lands them in the group that is supposed to rely on leafy, green vegetables, this could be a problem, and it may be near impossible.
Since one of the main goals of the blood type diet is to lose weight, that is a huge red flag. Children should not be on diets to help them lose weight, and there have been studies that have shown that children who diet at a young age are more likely to be overweight as an adult. That could be because they have not learnt how to have a healthy relationship with all foods.
While nothing on this diet is overtly dangerous, since there are children out there who are vegetarians, it is still a good idea to speak to your child’s pediatrician before introducing any drastic change to their diet.
Sources: WebMD, Eating Well, University of Michigan
