Your blood type and diet are commonly seen as two entirely separate things, but the blood type diet suggests otherwise. This unique approach to nutrition suggests that aligning your eating habits with your specific blood type can potentially unlock series of health advantage. Unlike other diet strategies, this one is not just about what you eat, but also, how your body responds to different foods based on your genetic makeup. In this article, you will learn everything there is to know about selecting foods based on your blood type, so you can start eating towards the healthiest version of you!
Contents
What is the Blood Type Diet?
The blood type diet is a type of eating plan that is all about choosing the foods according to your specific blood type to achieve optimal health and wellbeing. It was created by naturopathic physician Peter D’Adamo and based on the theory that certain proteins (lectins) in foods can trigger negative reactions in your body if they’re not compatible with your blood type. These reactions are believed to potentially lead to serious health issues like heart disease, kidney problems, and even cancer. As such, by eating a diet based on your blood type, you can increase your health and even reduce your risk of developing serious health problems.
Now, unlike traditional diets, the blood type diet doesn’t outright ban any particular foods. Although, it does emphasize that certain foods are more ideal for specific blood types. There are also other healthy eating suggestions, such as limiting sugar and processed foods, but the main focus is on eating specific to your blood type.
The blood type diet also incorporates exercise suggestions based on your blood type for a comprehensive plan for achieving optimal health.
But what will you be eating and how will you be exercising, you ask? Well, it depends on your blood type.
Diet and Exercise Plan for: Blood Type A
It’s believed that people with type A blood have a higher susceptibility to conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. As such, it’s suggested that eating an organic, vegetarian diet paired with soothing activities like yoga and tai chi will bring the best results. You may also want to completely avoid dairy, so you can focus the majority of your diet on eating an abundance of delicious and nutritious fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Meat-free
- Fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes and whole-grains
- Organic and fresh
- Gentle exercises, such as yoga or tai chi
Diet and Exercise Plan for: Blood Type B
People with a “B” blood type are said to have a strong immune system and a forgiving digestive system, allowing them to be more versatile with their food choices compared to other blood types. On the other hand, people with B blood type are believed to be more susceptible to autoimmune conditions such as chronic fatigue, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.
As such, if you have a ‘B” blood type, you would benefit from eating a well-rounded diet that includes a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables, grains, beans, legumes, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy. Although, you may want to steer clear of nuts and seeds.
As for exercise, it’s recommended that you incorporate moderate-level exercises and movements or routines that focus on balance.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Lots of greens
- Fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, legumes, meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy
- Limit nuts and seeds
- Low-fat diet
- Moderate level exercise
Diet and Exercise Plan for: Blood Type AB
Anyone with type AB blood are believed to be a bit more complex when it comes to their biology. As such, you can follow both the diets and exercises recommended for A and B blood types, as long as you limit meat consumption. This is because people with blood type AB are more susceptible to conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and anemia. The good news: you are less likely to experience allergies!
So, consume lots of fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds or follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. You can see how dairy feels for you, limit meat consumption or opt for a fully vegan diet right off the bat. And when it comes to busting a most, stick with moderate exercises, yoga, tai chi and other balance-focused regimes.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Can follow either regimes for type A or type B
- Include lots of dairy, seafood, dairy and green vegetables
- Consider going vegetarian or vegan or limiting meat consumption
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, smoked meats and cured meats
- Moderate exercises
Diet and Exercise Plan for: Blood Type O
For people with type O blood experience, it’s said that you will benefit greatly from incorporating animal proteins. On the other hand, you may experience issues with dairy products and grains. Foods such as gluten, lentils, kidney beans, corn, and cabbage may also contribute to weight if you have type O blood. So, it’s recommended to follow a diet that predominantly consist of meat, a moderate consumption of vegetables, eggs, nuts, and seeds and minimal dairy and grain. For exercise, you’ll get the most benefits from vigorous physical exercise, like Zumba or HIIT. Some health concerns you may be at higher risk of developing are asthma, hay fever, allergies, and arthritis.
Here’s a quick recap:
- A high-protein diet
- Lots of lean meat, poultry, fish and vegetables
- Moderate consumption of grains, beans, eggs, seeds, nuts and dairy
- High-intensity workouts
What Are The Benefits of Following a Diet and Exercise Plan Based on Blood Type?
While the scientific evidence is still limited, it’s believed that following a diet and exercise plan that is based on your blood type can help you achieve optimal health. It’s also said that doing so can help decrease your risk of developing health problems, especially those conditions that you are more susceptible to.
The blood type diet also possesses some healthy and beneficial aspects, such as:
- Promotes physical activity: The blood type diet places a strong emphasis on regular exercise, which research has shown to be a beneficial aspect for absolutely everyone. In fact, medical experts recommend that every person, regardless of their blood type, should be getting a minimum of 20 minutes of exercise each day and the blood type diet aligns with this. The only difference is that it suggests different styles of exercise for different blood types.
- Prioritizes whole foods: The core principle of each blood type plan is the preference for whole foods over processed options, a healthy dietary choice that offers a plethora of health advantages.
- Encourages a well-rounded diet: While individual blood type plans come with distinct dietary recommendations, the blood type diet doesn’t have any drastic calorie reduction or unhealthy limitations. Although, it’s worth mentioning that the plans for blood types A and O are more restrictive than the others.
By eating a clean, healthy diet and exercising regularly, you can also achieve all kinds of additional benefits such as weight loss, higher energy levels, a stronger immune system, reduced blood pressure, and a lower risk of health conditions.
How to Start The Blood Type Diet
Getting started with the blood type diet is as simple as figuring out what your blood type is and following the recommendations provided above. There are many ways to find out your blood type. The most common options are to: ask your parents to see if they have any documentation of it, ask the next time you get blood drawn or take an at-home blood test.
Once you have that, you can get started! Here are some tips:
- Try different recipes to see what you like
- Don’t forget about your hydration
- Give your body time to adjust to the changes
- Listen to your body and make adjustments as needed
- Follow a meal-plan to take the stress out of figuring out what to eat
- Avoid boxed, frozen or pre-made foods
The blood type diet offers a unique approach to nutrition and health based on how different blood types respond differently to certain foods and exercises. The diet focuses on eating fresh, whole foods and getting regular exercise to achieve optimal health and reduce your risk of serious health conditions. However, as with any diet, finding what works best for your body and lifestyle is key to achieving sustainable and long-lasting results.
