Blood Type and Your Diet

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.

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.
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In my 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, and 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 and Dr. D’Adamo’s book, Eat Right 4 Your Type at DaDamo.com.