At the beginning of this series, we began looking at eating for your blood type, based on Dr. Peter D’Adamo’s book, Eat Right 4 Your Type. His research offers diet plans for each of the four blood types: A, B, AB, and O.
In the previous articles, we looked at how Type As and Type Bs should eat to maintain optimum health. We’re making an absolute about-face now with Type O.
The entire theory of eating for your blood type hinges on the way each blood type is said to process lectins. Lectins are a kind of protein that bind to a particular kind of carbohydrate in the gut.
A common way to remember how lectins work is to look at the lectin as a protein key which fits into a specific carbohydrate lock. When the right key fits into a lock in the digestive tract, it breaks the cell membrane, which damages the cell.
The goal of the blood type diet is to avoid the lectins that are most attracted to your blood type while eating the foods that nourish the body. Here’s your history and recommendations, Type O!
History of Blood Type O
You are the original blood type, according to Dr. D’Adamo. Your blood line has been around for more than 30,000 years, dating back to pre-Cro-Magnon man. It it the most common blood type in the world today.
As the bearer of this blood type, you are known as “the hunter,” because you thrive on a meat-based diet. You have an immune system that’s a force of nature and a digestive system to match. You also bear enough stomach acid to jump start your average 1982 El Dorado in order to digest all that protein.
Your ancestors were nomadic people, following the herd and staying just long enough for the pack of animals to move on. When they moved, you moved.
As more humans populated the Earth and the herds grew thinner, you adapted by learning to grow and preserve some foods necessary for survival. This dietetic metamorphosis protected you against times of extreme famine, but was never meant to comprise the bulk of your food intake.
Once you settled into your particular geographic area and began to work cooperatively as a society, your health began to decline in some areas. In particular, you developed stomach ulcers and thyroid problems. To balance these concerns with you ideal diet’s makeup, you’ve got a lengthy list of food recommendations!
Foods to Avoid
The bad news first: pork, in all its forms, are out. I know, I know. However, the only other meat on the “no-no” list for you is goose. So unless you’re a Dickensian Christmas fan, you’re probably not missing out on much.
With a few exceptions, dairy is not for you. However, when you feel the need to indulge, you may consume butter, farmer’s cheese, feta and mozzarella.
You should avoid most nuts and beans. The exceptions to that rule are pumpkin seeds and walnuts, along with adzuki beans, black-eyed peas and pinto beans.
As grains go, Essene and Ezekiel breads are the only truly recommended edibles. There are some ancient grains on the “yellow light” list that you may indulge in when you’re really craving them: amaranth, barley, buckwheat, Kamut, millet, rice, and spelt.
Type Os are relatively limited on fruits, which really bums me out for you. Figs, plums, prunes, and most berries are kosher. However, you shouldn’t have strawberries, blackberries, oranges, tangerines or melons.
Under no circumstances should Type Os consume coconut or products containing coconut. In fact, due to coconut oil and its presence in many body care products, you’re encouraged to check your personal care products and toss anything that has ingredients beginning with coco-.
For many Type Os, this transition to products that have a shea butter base as opposed to a coconut oil base has transformed their lifelong skin conditions and relieved persistent rashes and skin irritations.
On the beverage front, coffee, black tea, and distilled liquors should be avoided. Also to avoid are nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, capers, black and white pepper, and vinegar.
Foods to Indulge
Now for the positive things, the foods that you Type Os should indulge! The meat category is large, containing just about everything you could ever wish for. Beef, lamb, venison, and veal are the most highly recommended protein sources for you.
Oily fish such as cod, mackarel, and herring are also high on the list of positives for your blood type. Olive and flax are the best sources of oil for you, with canola and sesame also making the list of acceptable alternatives.
Greens of all kinds are a great friend of Type Os, because they supply vitamin K in abundance. Lucky ducks, you’re the only type that is allowed to have tomatoes. Take note, however, that eggplant and white potatoes are out.
Be sure to get lots of alliums into your diet in the form of garlic, leeks, onions, chives, and shallots, as they’re fantastic for your overall health.
Lots of root vegetables are recommended for you, such as rutabaga, turnips, and sweet potatoes. Since most sweets are out for you, roasted root veggies are a great way to get a sugar fix. Thank you, caramelization!
One of the most important things that Type Os can consume is a great variety of sea vegetables. Because you tend toward hypothyroidism, you should indulge as many varieties as possible. Dr. D’Adamo recommends iodized salt, but I can’t abide recommending something so damaging to your health.
Parsley, cayenne pepper, and curry are the most recommended spices for you. Interestingly, due to your high levels of gastric acid, you can have seltzer water and club soda, which are verboten for other blood types.
Lifestyle Considerations
The inborn “fight or flight” response is particularly strong in Type O. This should come as no surprise considering that this blood type was around when mankind actively hunted and had to decide when to stand their ground, and when to run to save their hides.
However, Type Os don’t typically respond well to these stressors, especially when their diet and activities aren’t in line with their needs. They’re liable to lash out, throw temper tantrums, and even struggle with addictions such as gambling and substance abuse.
To keep these destructive responses in check, it’s recommended that Type Os stick close to their dietary guidelines, as well as avoiding alcohol and caffeine altogether.
More than for other blood types, Type Os require significant and strenuous exercise. Not only will regular exercise benefit your cardiovascular health (especially important when ingesting large amounts of saturated fats found in meat), but will also keep your moods in check.
In fact, exercise is Dr. D’Adamo’s recommended release when you are stressed, making important decisions, spending large sums of money, and/or are craving a pleasure-inducing substance (such as nicotine or alcohol).
As a long-term health solution, Type Os should see better digestion, less ulcers and thyroid problems, and less stress in their lives as they apply the principles of the Type O diet. Type AB, you’ll wrap up the series for us next week. Be sure to check back as we close it out with the baby of blood types!