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5 Foods to Eat for Blood Type O

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Did you know that you may better support your overall health by eating right for your blood type?

Dr. Peter D’Adamo is the doctor behind the Blood Type Diet Program, a relatively new (and some would say fad) diet that encourages you to eat foods that are most compatible with your body based on your blood type.

If you’re Type O, read on for more information about what you should be eating and what you may want to exclude from your diet.

What Does Your Blood Type Mean?

In 1930, Professor Tokeji Furukawa published a paper that claims that each individual blood type has an effect on personality. While this theory is a large part of Japanese culture, there has been no proof of the two being related. (If you’re curious about it, you can read more here.)

There has been plenty of research and evidence for how your blood type may affect your personal health, though. Here’s a basic breakdown of each blood type:

blood-type-table

For more detailed information about how your blood type may affect your personal health, visit this site.

What to Know About the Type O Profile

According to Dr. D’Adamo, every blood type has its own strengths and weaknesses. The list below gives a good look at those for Type O (Source):

  • People with Type O blood have a tendency toward higher levels of stomach acid
  • People with Type O have a well-developed ability to digest proteins and fats
  • In people with Type O, carbs are more easily converted into triglycerides and fats
  • Grains may also increase a Type O immune system, which may lead to unwanted health issues

What is the Type O Response?

Historically, people with Type O blood had been thought to be aggressive predators. Today, that is much different. Type Os throughout society today have been characterized with details much different:

  • Energetic extroverts and leaders
  • Keen ability to stay focused
  • Prone to anger, hyperactivity and impulsiveness when under large amounts of stress
  • More vulnerable to destructive behaviors when overly tired, sad or bored

When under stress, there’s a good chance that poor dietary choices will be made, and while this likely goes for all blood types, in Type O people, the effects may be a little different from the other types. For Type O, these include weight gain, insulin resistance, thyroid issues and other metabolic issues. Stomach ulcers may also be more prevalent in people with Type O blood.

Dr. D’Adamo recommends managing this response and your stress levels by sticking to the Type O Diet, as well as to a regular exercise program. Let’s take a look at both.

Why Exercise is Important

There are two crucial components to the Type O diet: exercise and, of course, healthy eating. According to Dr. D’Adamo, a regular exercise routine is extremely beneficial for people with Type O blood (Source):

Type Os benefit tremendously from brisk regular exercise that taxes the cardiovascular and muscular skeletal system. But the benefit derived surpasses the goal of physical fitness. Type O also derives the benefit of a well timed chemical release system. The Type O who exercises regularly also has a better emotional response. You are more emotionally balanced as a result of well regulated, efficient chemical transport system. More than any other blood type, Os rely on physical exercise to maintain physical health and emotional balance.

People with Type O blood will get the most benefit from a high-intensity physical fitness routine. Including aerobics, running and even martial arts may be a great idea.

Instituting a daily trip to the gym or maintaining a regular running schedule is a great idea, not only because it fits with your blood type, but also because it’s just generally good for your overall health, too.

But what about daily dietary choices? Let’s take a look at five foods that are great for people with Type O blood.

5 Foods for Blood Type O

Beans

The Type O Diet is rich in protein. Beans are a great option for getting the protein your body needs for optimal health. Good options include azuki, black-eyed and aduke beans.

According to Dr. D’Adamo, green and red lentils, copper beans and kidney beans should all be avoided, if possible.

Other beans like green peas (and pea pods), red soybeans and string beans are all options that are neither harmful or beneficial for people with Type O blood. Eat away if you’d like!

Lean Meats & Fish

People with Type O blood can easily digest meat, so it’s no surprise that this diet should be rich in fish and other lean meats. Items like venison, beef, mutton, lamb, herring, and cod are all ideal choices.

It’s best to avoid meats like bacon (and other pork cuts), salmon and catfish, as those are not recommended for Blood Type O. It is also advised to stay away from vegetarian diets as well.

Vegetables

Just like with beans, there are certain vegetables you should eat and certain ones you should avoid if you have Type O blood. Beneficial choices include broccoli, spinach, collard greens, kale, onions, artichokes and pumpkins.

Things to avoid include brussels sprouts, cabbage, mustard greens and cauliflower, as they may have negative effects on your thyroid function. Shiitake mushrooms and alfalfa sprouts may also affect your digestive system.

Fruits

When choosing fruits, it’s important to consider the acid content. People with Type O blood have naturally high stomach acid, so avoiding fruits like strawberries, oranges, blackberries, tangerines and rhubarb because of their high natural acid content. It’s also advised to avoid coconut, as well as melons.

Beneficial fruit options include plums, prunes and figs.

Nuts & Seeds

A variety of nuts and seeds are great for snacking and cooking, and pumpkin seeds and walnuts are thought to be the most beneficial for people with Type O blood. Other options are acceptable as well, but it’s advised to avoid Brazil nuts, cashews, peanuts, pistachios and poppy seeds.

Recipes for Blood Type O

While it’s possible to alter recipes to include ingredients that are most beneficial for your blood type, we’ve included some here to get you started.

Take a look at the video below for juicing and smoothie ideas, too!

If you’re interested in recipes for Blood Type A, you can find some here.

The Bottom Line

Dr. Peter D’Adamo offers a line of natural supplements that work with your blood type to keep you healthy. Natural Healthy Concepts carries a wide range of products from D’Adamo Personalized Nutrition, which you can find here.

Do you have any experience with the Blood Type Diet? We’d love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below and let us know how it’s working for you.

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