The first time I heard about the Blood Type Diet, I had just moved from the east coast and was working as a waitress in Malibu. I impatiently waited for a customer to decide what items on the menu fit her blood type, all the while thinking, “OMG! Yet another weird diet for body-obsessed Californians!” Many years later, I have a more balanced view on blood type and its role in our well being.
Determined by the ABO gene, blood type is part of everyone's unique physical and biological makeup. And is vitally important in Western medical treatments like blood transfusions. But research by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo links blood type with a much more complex and important role – our overall health, including longevity, resistance to disease, and physical and emotional health.
Dr. D'Adamo suggests that blood type acts as a “story line” of our ancestry, and the blood type diets insures that we eat the ideal foods for our genetic makeup.
By relying on blood type as a “road map,” each of us can make decisions about diet, lifestyle choices, and medical treatments that will work best for our particular biology.
Understanding your blood type
Type O
O types do best with a carnivorous diet rich in meat and fish, but cannot digest dairy or wheat well. Vegetables and nuts are recommended for type Os, but legumes should be eaten sparingly.
These food recommendations are in line with Type Os predisposition to stomach and thyroid disorders and “environmentally intolerant” immune systems. Prone to “fight-or-fight” responses, Type Os also thrive on intense physical activity, and should avoid stimulants.
Type A
A types thrive on a vegan diet that is rich in plant foods. Fresh, organic foods including vegetables, grains, beans, tofu, fruit and legumes are recommended. Occasional seafood is the only suggested animal protein food.
The diet for Type As reflects their sensitive immune system and predisposition to cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Type As often internalize stress and do best with gentle exercise and a strong sense of community.
Type B
The Type B diet reflects their flexible digestive system and strong immune system. Type Bs can break down fats, animal proteins and carbohydrates without difficulty, so they are able to eat a wide variety of foods, including dairy products.
Grains, beans and legumes, fruit and vegetables are all good choices, while chicken, shellfish and tomatoes should be eliminated from the diet. B Types are often flexible and adaptable to life's challenges and thrive on both physically and mentally stimulating activities.
Type AB
Those with blood type AB should consume a mixed diet including meat, seafood, dairy, beans, most grains, legumes, and plant foods. Red meat should be avoided, as should any grain products or breads that contain corn or buckwheat. AB's do best with small meals and may benefit from avoiding the combo of protein and starch in the same meal.
The mixed diet is in keeping with this blood types' usual resistance to allergies and ABs' risk for heart disease, anemia and cancer. AB's do best with a mixture of intense and gentle exercise.
In my clinical practice I take blood type into consideration as one piece of information that may provide insight into your ideal diet and lifestyle.
It's important to remember that this is only a bit of your unique make up. Just as it would be foolish to base your entire life's decisions on your astrology chart, blood type is also not your only guide.
You can find out more about the blood type diet through Dr. D'Adamo's book, Eat Right 4 Your Type and his website, here.
As an addendum to this entry, I’d like to add that I am not a proponent of a vegan diet, even if your blood type is A. There is no population of vegans that have subsisted generation after generation. Even if you do well with a 100% plant-based diet for a few decades, it is not sustainable over time. The fact is, all healthy human populations have eaten at least a portion of their diet from saturated animal fats.
Though this does not go along with the modern dietary beliefs, I believe the principles of low-fat eating is flat-out wrong. I support and recommend traditional foods and preparations as outlined by the Weston Price Foundation. For more information email me or read here: http://www.westonaprice.org/.
As for the Blood Type Diet, I do reserve consideration for the information it offers. It is not a bible, but neither is the WAPF. The ultimate guide to what you should eat comes from within you.
I agree with you. I am blood type A and I tried following this book about 8 years ago. I was supposed to eat an all vegan diet, and it was horrific. I was tired all the time, and starving, never satiated. After getting blood work, I was told that my iron was dangerously low. I tried all kinds of supplements and nothing would get my iron up, so finally I started consuming grass fed beef and my iron was back to normal in no time. I have to question the theory behind this, at least for me.
Same here! I’m a type A blood type, and a few years ago I was a vegetarian for a year (at the time I thought it was healthier). Within 4-6 months, my periods were skipping and I was feeling so tired (and looked it!). I went to the doctor to have my hormone levels checked, and it turns out they were fine. My doctor’s advice? “EAT MEAT! Go have a burger or something! Your body needs more than what you are giving it.” I’ve been eating meat since, and have felt great, been regular, and have a beautiful baby girl! I’m only speaking from experience, as I know little about this book.
Hi Thanks for the information on the blood type diet. Eat Right for Your Type was written in 1996 and remains as a bestseller. Dr. D ‘Adamo has written over 12 books including a textbook for medical students. As you mention blood type is only one aspect of us, but it effects every cell in our bodies and the blood type diet looks beyond blood type to lectins etc… Reading further into Live Right for Your Type you will see that secretor status is taken into account, and if you move even further you will find Dr. D’Adamo’s latest book the Genotype diet where genotype and phenotype are part of your diet profile. Hope you join us at http://www.dadamo.com where you will find loads of science that points to individualization of diet.
I’m a Type A and tried the Blood Type recommendations for a while. Got fat and fuzzy-headed. I need meat, with a strong preference for lots of red meat, both to lose weight and keep my head straight!
Hi,
Reading this confirms what I have realized over time. I am type “O” and have focused on eating more meat lately, while the rest of the world is trying to minimize their meat intake. I feel better, more focused and have seen a reduction in inflammation which I’ve lived with for years. I am also sleeping better. Thanks for posting.
Blake
The founder of the Blood Type Diet was actually Dr. D’Adamo’s father, the recently deceased Dr. James D’Adamo, who made the correlation between blood type and diet 50 years ago. He wrote the first book on it in 1980, “One Man’s Food . . . Is Someone Else’s Poison”.
Im “A” blood type and definitely I have preferences to fruits and veggies and all the time keep in my kitchen. If I didnt snack on at least one fruit during the day I feel the same I guess like addicted persone 🙂 Im not a vegan , but I can easily skip or push away the red meat in my plate. I noticed also that I preffer fish, sea foods and chicken than red meat. Just do not go extreme and listen to your body. And please avoid all man made chemicals- food like preservatives, colorings, pesticidas (non organic foods) ond so on … we still dont have a blood type for them 😉