It’s no secret that our blood types influence our personalities, but do you know that they play a role in determining our wellness and diet too?
Credit: Youtube
What’s Blood Type Diet?
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Credit: NY Blood Center
The diet is specifically broken up by blood type—no shocker there—and there are some pretty specific recommendations for each type:
Blood Type A
People with the type A blood type is also known as “agrarians” or “cultivators” as they are believed to have connections with ancestral farming and horticultural practices. According to D’Adamo, type As are better at digesting carbohydrates than other blood types, however, they struggle with digesting and metabolising animal protein and fat. Hence, it’s recommended for type As to follow a diet rich in plant, and avoid meat (if possible).
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Credit: Easy to Eat Right
Eat more: Vegetables, Tofu, Seafood, Grains, Legumes and Fruits
Weight Loss Key (to avoid): Meat, Diary, Kidney Beans and Wheat
Weight Loss Key (beneficial): Soy and Seafood
What to Avoid: To balance cortisol levels, limit sugar, caffeine and alcohol and don’t skip meals, especially breakfast.
Blood Type B
Type Bs are also referred to as “nomads” as they are said to be descendants of the nomadic people who moved around frequently and occupied large areas of land. It is believed that this has enabled them to develop the genetic potential for great malleability and the ability to adapt to different conditions. Generally, Type Bs have a high tolerance for a variety of foods and benefit the most with a balanced diet containing a moderate amount of macronutrients (protein, fats, and carbohydrates). However, the chicken should be avoided for people with this blood type, as it contains a Blood Type B agglutinating lectin which may attack the bloodstream and potentially leads to strokes and immune disorders.
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Credit: Wise Geek
Eat more: Meat, Dairy, Grains, Vegetables, Fish and Seafood
Weight Loss Key (to avoid): Chicken, Corn, Lentils, Peanuts and Wheat
Weight Loss Key (beneficial): Eggs, Venison and Liver
What to Avoid: Take it easy on grains and avoid corn, buckwheat, rye and wheat since they can alter your ability to metabolize. (Same goes for nuts and seeds, so avoid peanuts, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.)
Blood Type AB
Called the enigma, people with Blood Type AB share traits with As and Bs, so they are able to digest a variety of food and even meals that contain both protein and fat. However, Type ABs have Type B’s adaptation to meats, but A’s low level of stomach acid, which means meat are often not broken down effectively and gets stored as fats.
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Credit: Taste
Eat more: Lamb, Dairy, Beans, Fruits, Legumes, Fish and Seafood
Weight Loss Key (to avoid): Chicken, Corn, Lentils, Kidney Beans and Buckwheat
Weight Loss Key (beneficial): Tofu, Kelp and Greens
What to Avoid: Enjoy carbs in moderation, but bypass corn and buckwheat, which are difficult for ABs to digest. Avoid all smoked and cured meats as well as chicken, veal, beef, pork or shellfish. Steer clear of caffeine and alcohol, especially when you’re stressed.
Blood Type O
Type Os (considered the original blood type) are descendants from hunter-gatherers who relied mainly on animal protein to survive their strenuous lifestyles. Despite being the universal donor, Type Os are susceptible to certain diseases, including thyroid issues and stomach ulcers due to the presence of a higher level of stomach acids. Fortunately, Type Os have the ability to efficiently process both protein and fat due to higher levels of the enzyme IAP. This leads to better absorption of calcium, and ease in processing simple carbohydrates.
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Credit: The Spruce Eats
Eat more: Meat, Fish, Vegetables, Fruits, Limited Grains and Legumes
Weight Loss Key (to avoid): Wheat, Corn, Lentils and Kidney Beans
Weight Loss Key (beneficial): Kelp, Spinach and Broccoli
What to Avoid: You might have difficulty digesting dairy, eggs and gluten, and should avoid wheat germ and wheat products like bread. Beans and legumes should also be avoided when possible since they mess with your digestion and can wear you out or make you retain fluids. Cruciferous veggies like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and mustard greens should be nixed because they inhibit thyroid function.