Blood Type O Diet Recommendations

Peter J. D'Adamo, ND, is an expert in the area of "eating right for your blood type." He suggests that people should eat certain foods based on their blood type. This premise is based on the idea that blood type directly affects the digestive system. This means that some foods are good for one person but not for another. People with type O blood have very specific eating requirements, and these requirements should be followed for optimal health.

Blood Type Dieting

Dr. Joe Christiano, author of "Blood Types, Body Types and You," states that eating foods specifically designed for an individual blood type leads to optimal health. According to the Eat Right for Your Type diet that was designed by Peter J. D'Adamo, ND, beneficial foods are foods that act like medicine for the body.

Creating better body function is the principal reason for the blood type diet. Diet foods are listed by groups----beneficial, neutral and foods that should be avoided. Beneficial foods allow the body to perform at peak performance levels. Neutral foods have no impact on the body functions; therefore, they are not harmful or helpful. Foods listed in the "avoid" category should never be eaten.

Beneficial Foods

Beneficial foods are the best food choices a person can make. These foods supply the correct nutrients to the body for the blood type.

Beneficial meats for the blood type O person include beef, buffalo, lamb, veal, venison, cod, halibut, rainbow trout, red snapper and tilapia as major sources of protein.

While the primary source of protein should come from animal sources, additional sources of protein include pinto beans and black-eyed peas.

Beneficial vegetables and fruits include artichokes, broccoli, beets, okra, spinach, figs, plums and prunes.

Dairy products that are considered beneficial are mozzarella cheese and nonfat sour cream.

Neutral Foods

Neutral foods can be eaten as second choices to beneficial foods. These foods do not harm the body, but they also do not add the same nutrients as the beneficial foods.

Sources of meat protein in the neutral category include chicken, Cornish hens, rabbit, turkey, bass, crab, crawfish, flounder, lobster, mahi mahi, mussels, oysters and salmon.

Black beans, fava beans, garbanzo beans, green beans, great northern beans, snow peas and string beans are all good sources of vegetable protein.

Protein can also be found in nuts like almonds, chestnuts, hickory nuts, pecans, sunflower seeds and pine nuts.

Dairy products like butter, eggs, feta cheese, goat cheese and soy cheese can all be enjoyed.

Neutral vegetables include asparagus, bamboo shoots, beets, carrots, celery, green olives, onions, mushrooms, peppers, sprouts, squash, tomatoes and zucchini.

Apples, apricots, bananas, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, elderberries, dates, mangoes, papaya, peaches, pineapples and raisins are also allowed.

Avoid

Certain foods should be avoided, because they can act like "poison" to the type O person. Dr. Joe Christiano explains that these "poisonous" foods hinder body functions and performance. Avoiding these foods will allow the type O person's body to become a high-performance machine.

All pork products and goose should be avoided. Catfish, caviar and octopus should not be eaten.

Beans such as kidney beans, navy beans and lentils should also be avoided.

Do not eat Brazil nuts, cashews, peanuts, pistachios or peanut butter.

Several vegetables and fruits should also be avoided. Avocados, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, eggplant and potatoes should not be eaten. Avoid blackberries, cantaloupe, coconut, oranges, plantains and tangerines.

Recommended Nutrients

Nutrients come from many sources including foods, vitamins and supplements. Joseph Christiano, ND, CNC, recommends that to receive extra nutrition while following a diet based on blood type, protein shakes as well as other nutritional supplements should be added.

Use protein shakes as a snack between meals or as a meal replacement. Multivitamins, colon cleansers, trace minerals, calcium and anti-aging supplements are all suggested for optimum health when following the type O diet.

Dietary Strengths and Weaknesses

People with a blood type of O have many dietary strengths. These people are blessed with thin blood. This means that they are less likely to develop plaque in the arteries and blood clots. The blood type O person also has strong stomach acids, a strong immune system, a long life span and a great metabolism. Following a strict type O diet will enhance these strengths.

There are, however, some disadvantages to having blood type O. These people are also intolerant of new dietary and environmental conditions. And, typically, these people have a higher likelihood of substance abuse. Fortunately, following the type O diet can help to combat these weaknesses.

Common health risks for blood type O includes strokes, blood disorders, arthritis, ulcers and allergies.