Want to Lose Weight or Just Feel Better? You Are What You Eat

I grew up on red meat which I did not like. It caused me problems with my digestion and I looked forward to Fridays which meant fish sticks at school and either fish or cheese enchiladas at home.

As a child I was so fond of Spinach that I would exchange it for the meat entrée and the kids in the school cafeteria thought they were getting the upper hand in the trade. The only problem was that I had insensitive teachers who refused to let me use the bathroom after lunch and I heard, “Why didn’t you use the lavatory during recess?”

A child often does not have the adequate vocabulary to express their needs. I was too embarrassed and kept my mouth shut. It’s one of the reasons why as a Substitute teacher in elementary school I allowed any child to use the bathroom, no questions asked. It’s arrogant for an adult to think they know what is going on within a child’s body. And even if they are the class clown their body will still function on their own time. But now I’m digressing. My point is that our bodies have innate intelligence they know what is right for us.

There is a basic theory behind the blood type diet. It substantiates that our blood type creates differences in our physiology that warrant adjustments in food choices and lifestyle.

For example, Type O is the “oldest of the blood types” and those with type O blood display traits like “exceptional strength, a lean physique, and a productive mind” but also an “overactive fight or flight response” reminiscent of early survival instincts.

Type A blood type entered the genetic landscape at the time of animal domestication and agriculture. “Thriving on a mostly vegetarian diet rich in soy protein, fruits, and vegetables, Blood Type A individuals are sensitive, creative, and analytical thinkers. As an A+ I am in that category.

I’ve been practicing the theory for the last week and must say my digestion issues have improved and I feel better overall. I should add I am a healthy person but have occasional issues.

I’ve also become acutely aware of my circadian rhythms and it’s one of the reasons why I do not eat processed foods. My refrigerator isn’t jam-packed with bread, pasta, cereals, rice, cold cuts, cheese, and condiments that have been sitting for years on the grocer's shelves and then sit in a fridge for years being held together by ingredients that can’t be pronounced! My philosophy is if I can’t pronounce it, it’s not going into my stomach! My fridge has space because there are mostly fresh ingredients (fruits and vegetables) waiting to be prepared.

Now I’ll give you a hint of recommendations for the blood type diet.

The O blood type diet should include high-protein foods and lots of meat, vegetables, fish, and fruit but limit grains, beans, and legumes. To lose weight, seafood, kelp, red meat, broccoli, spinach, and olive oil are best; wheat, corn, and dairy are to be avoided.

The A blood type diet should include fruit, vegetables, tofu, seafood, turkey, and whole grains but avoid meat. For weight loss, seafood, vegetables, pineapple, olive oil, and soy are best; dairy, wheat, corn, and kidney beans should be avoided.

The B blood type diet should include a diverse diet including meat, fruit, dairy, seafood, and grains. To lose weight, type B individuals should choose green vegetables, eggs, liver, and licorice tea but avoid chicken, corn, peanuts, and wheat.

The AB blood type diet should include dairy, tofu, lamb, fish, grains, fruit, and vegetables. For weight loss, tofu, seafood, green vegetables, and kelp are best but chicken, corn, buckwheat, and kidney beans should be avoided.

From what I see, the Blood Type Diet is universally healthy, regardless of blood type. It advocates for eating real, whole foods and avoiding universally inflammatory foods like dairy, wheat, and certain lectin-containing beans and legumes.

There are also exercises recommended that follow our blood type. You may find the same results as there are plenty of other factors that affect our health.

So give it a try for a week and give yourself a 7-day challenge. You just may be surprised at how your body responds.