Four Metabolic Diet Types

Metabolic typing is the science of discovering how your body processes food to produce energy. Understanding one's body type and how it processes calories helps when choosing a weight loss program. The diet identifies four body types: android, thyroid, lymphatic and gynaeoid. Once your metabolic type is determined, you can then select the appropriate foods and nutrients to enable you to function at peak efficiency. Each body type has different lifestyle, diet and exercise recommendations.

Android Body Type

The Android metabolic body type generally has broad shoulders, a large rib cage, narrow pelvis and hips, and strong muscular limbs. The waistline is not emphasized. Physical and mental strength are prominent features. Android types tend to be athletic and require exercise to avoid adding extra weight. When out of shape, weight gain occurs in the upper body and on the front of the abdomen to form an apple shape. Android body types crave foods high in salt and cholesterol such as red meat. Avoiding these items will help during a weight loss program.

Dietary recommendations include lean meats, as well as an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables. Whole dairy products and grains should be avoided. Many Android types find the Atkins diet helpful for losing weight.

Gynaeoid Body Type

The Gynaeoid metabolic body type tends to be curvaceous with small to medium shoulders, a small waist and wide hips. Weight gain and cellulite accumulation occurs on the thighs and buttocks. Weight tends to come off from spots that do not require weight loss, while the thighs and buttocks retain their fat deposits.

Gynaeoid types typically crave foods with high concentrations of fat and sugar. They should eat light, frequent meals throughout the day and limit the intake of spicy foods to maintain a healthy diet. Fatty and sugary foods should be limited during a weight loss program.

Thyroid Body Type

The Thyroid metabolic body type is characterized by a slender face, long limbs, hands and fingers, as well as fine, narrow bones and a dreamy disposition. This body type craves stimulants including chocolate, nicotine, caffeine and diet pills. They tend to have a high metabolism and can consume a great deal of calories while experiencing little to no weight gain. Thyroid types need to focus on high protein diets while limiting grains and other carbohydrates. Walking and low impact aerobic exercise reduces stress for those with a thyroid body type.

Lymphatic Body Type

The Lymphatic metabolic body type has a slow metabolism and can gain weight over the entire body, giving them a cuddly baby-doll appearance. Lymphatic bodes tend to retain extra fluids due to a dysfunctional lymphatic system that gives them the appearance of carrying more weight than they actually are. Lymphatic types have thick and puffy limbs. They do not like exercise and crave dairy foods and salt. Adding some exercise to their routine and avoiding sweets will help them create a weight loss program.

Considerations

Each metabolic body type, according to this theory, may become obese in different parts of the body when consuming the wrong type of food for the specific type. Some body shapes can eat foods that are higher in refined carbohydrates and fat content without becoming obese, while others cannot. These differences exist because each body type reacts differently based on its own hormonal and metabolic composition. Consider these differences when developing a personalized weight loss program.