Blood Type O Diet Foods: The Good and Bad Choices
Introduction to Blood Type O
According to research done by Steven M. Weissberg, M.D. and Joseph Christiano, A.P.P.T., individuals who have type O blood have the thinnest blood, strongest stomach acid, good immune systems, and live the longest of all the other blood types. These doctors and authors of the book The Answer is in Your Bloodtype base their opinions on research conducted and feel that longevity of the people with type O blood is due to the fact that these people can metabolize food easily due to high stomach acid and naturally thin blood. Eating blood type O diet foods is a way to ensure that your body will work for itself and stay healthy.
In history, the ancestors of type O blood were hunters and descendants of this gene were very strong individuals. They were meat eaters and the strong stomach acid helped to break down the meats for better metabolism. Back in history and even today, these authors claim that Native Americans and Eskimos who are still hunters most likely have blood type O. Also, if you were to check the blood type of most body builders, and professional athletes you would find many with this same blood type.
A blood type O person tends to have the essential amino acids (nitrogen containing and carbon-based compounds) that serve as building blocks from which protein (muscle) are made. And since these people eat animal proteins they acquire these essential amino acids and remain strong and healthy. The only medical issue that affects type O patients is stomach irritation and sometime ulcers due to the high level of stomach acid that is part of the genetic makeup of a person with type O blood.
Beneficial Blood Type O Diet Foods
Since people with blood type O can consume proteins and are meat eaters, they do well with beef, buffalo, lamb, veal, liver and venison. Seafood is another form of protein (and a healthy one) to consume. Beneficial seafood for this type blood is cod, salmon, red snapper, pike, trout, sardines, whitefish and yellowtail.
Dairy is not a major food in this category. Mozzarella cheese and sour cream are acceptable in a low-fat form as a beneficial food, and eggs, butter, and other cheeses such as feta cheese, goat cheese and soy are neutral foods.
In the Oils and Fats, the best foods are olive oil, linseed oil, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds and walnuts.
Grains are not a desired food in people with blood type O. Two breads that are beneficial are Essene bread and Ezekiel bread. gluten free breads, rice, millet, spelt, quinoa and soy are considered neutral foods.
People with blood type O should consume greens. Broccoli, collard greens, dandelion, escarole, spinach, kale and romaine lettuce are just a few to place in your diet. Along with the greens, add some onions, red peppers, sweet potatoes and turnips. Beneficial fruits are limited to figs, kiwi, plums and prunes.
Keep your body hydrated with plenty of bottled water or seltzer water. Herbal teas are well tolerated, such as fenugreek, ginger, green tea, peppermint, rose hips and mulberry to name a few. Slipping in a glass or two of red wine is beneficial to blood type O diet foods.
Basic Foods to Avoid
Even though a person with blood type O can eat meats easily, all pork and goose need to be avoided. Certain seafoods like catfish, caviar, conch, lox, octopus and pickled herring should also be avoided.
As mentioned above, dairy is really not a beneficial food to this blood type. All cheeses except mozzarella are to be avoided. Milk, yogurt and even low-fat or skim milk are not beneficial to this diet.
Oils such as corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, and safflower oil needs to be avoided, along with eating peanuts, cashews, pistachios, Brazil nuts and poppy seeds.
Grains should also be avoided. Stay away from corn products, oats, wheat, pumpernickel, gluten flour, semolina and bran.
Although fruits and vegetables are healthy choices, people with blood type O should avoid vegetables such as California avocados, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, corn, eggplant, mushrooms, olives and potatoes. Fruits to avoid include coconuts, cantaloupe and other melons, oranges, plantains, rhubarb and tangerines.
Summary
If you choose to eat blood type O diet foods for good health, this must be a lifetime commitment. According to Dr. Peter D’Adamo who authored the book Eat Right 4 Your Type says, “the knowledge that we can do something to change our genetic destiny is powerful.” Read other articles about blood type diets right here on Bright Hub.
References
The Answer is in Your Bloodtype by Steven M. Weissberg, M.D, & Joseph Christiano, A.P.P.T. [Personal Nutrition USA, Inc. 1999]
“Eat Right For Your Type” https://www.dadamo.com/bloodtype_O.htm
“Blood Type Diet” https://www.everydiet.org/diet/blood-type-diet
Image Credit
Blood cell photo by renjith krishnan - https://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Health_And_Medical_g174-Red_Blood_Cell__p14902.html
