How to Choose the Right Foods Based on your Blood Type

Learn how choosing foods for your blood type can lead you to improved nutrition and health.

BY DR. SELENE WILKINSON, ND

Genetics can determine much about our health and physicality. Recently a popular nutrition program has come to light, the Blood Type Diet, which furthers this belief. According to its creator, naturopathic physician Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo, the missing link to our body’s ability to defend itself against disease may be found in the four basic blood types: O, A, B and AB.

The theory is based on the fact that different food proteins are digested differently according to our blood types. So eating right for your blood type can lead you to improved nutrition and health, setting you on the path to achieve the highest level of success possible.

Depending on the needs of the individual and their blood type, certain food choices are shown to either encourage weight gain or encourage weight loss. (NOTE: the Blood Type Diet goes beyond weight management and can benefit those with other health concerns, such as allergies and arthritis.) Of those who followed the Blood Type Diet for at least one month, 74 per cent reported improvements in a variety of health conditions.

THE FOUR BLOOD TYPES

TYPE O

GENERAL: Labelled “The Hunter,” this type is the earliest human blood group. Type Os fare best on intense physical exercise and animal proteins and do less well on dairy products and grains. They are the predominant sufferers of arthritis, asthma, hay fever and other allergies because their immune systems are less environmentally tolerant.
TO ADD WEIGHT: Gluten-containing foods, corn, lentils, kidney beans and cabbage.
TO LOSE WEIGHT: Kelp, kale, spinach, broccoli, seafood and red meat.
BENEFICIAL EXERCISE: Running, aerobics, martial arts and contact sports.