The Blood Type Diet - Type O

Do you thrive on intense exercise and have trouble digesting dairy products? These are some characteristics of people with type O blood. The Blood Type O Diet suggests that your blood type provides the blueprints in your body that determine eating habits, food aversions, allergies, medical conditions, and even the ability to metabolize food and burn calories. If you eat according to what your blood type prefers, you will be able to perform at optimal levels and lose weight in the process.

Different foods introduce substances into the body called lectins. Depending on your blood type, certain lectins are welcomed by your immune system, while others aggravate it. The theory here is if you only eat foods that contain compatible lectins, then your body can remain balanced and at a healthy weight.

What makes The Blood Type O Diet a different Weight Loss Plan?

This is a very unique approach to weight loss that requires particular attention to detail and demands a lot of the dieter. In the end, though, they recommend you lose weight by cutting out processed foods and limiting portion size.

What is The Blood Type Diet - Type O?

This diet was created by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo, a second-generation naturopathic doctor. He and his father have compiled information on blood types for decades and have applied this research to create very specific guidelines for diet, exercise and supplement use. By eating according to your blood type, the Blood Type O Diet promises to help you avoid infections and disease, eliminate toxins and lose weight.

Type O is believed to be the blood type of ancient man. Our distant forefathers survived largely by hunting. Thus, people with blood type O tolerate animal proteins very well. On the other hand, grains and dairy are not digested easily, as the stomach and intestines of our ancestors were not frequently exposed to these foods during ancient times. All of these claims (and numerous others) are based on history, ancestry, evolution and some scientific evidence.

Each Blood Type Diet has a strict regimen that includes meal planning (with three days of sample menus and recipes), supplement advice, and stress, exercise and personality profiling. Lists of foods (labeled "highly beneficial," "neutral" or "avoid") that encourage weight gain and loss are provided, as are tables and lists to help you organize food options and how often you should be eating certain foods (for example, type O's should consume eggs less than once a week).

A registered dietitian designs sample menus and recipes for you on this diet. The menus are offered in "standard" and "weight control" forms (weight control just means less food at each meal). Recipes are low calorie and include natural and whole ingredients (no processed, pre-packaged foods on this diet!). Dishes include Lamb-Asparagus Stew and Quinoa Applesauce Cake. Sugar and honey sweetened foods are allowed in moderation (including chocolate), but artificial sweeteners such as corn syrup are to be avoided. Alcohol is not recommended for initial weight loss.

During maintenance phases beer and wine are considered "neutral" and are allowed in moderation, but distilled alcohol is never allowed on the Blood Type O Diet.

A typical day on the "weight control" menu looks like:

Breakfast: one slice of toasted sprouted bread (Ezekiel) with all-natural, low-sugar jam

Lunch: 2 to 4 ounces of organic roast beef

Snack: carrot and celery sticks, sliced fruits, rice cakes with a drizzle of honey

Dinner: steamed artichoke with lemon juice

What are the weight loss expectations?

The goal of the Blood Type O Diet is to optimize health and body performance through food choices and corresponding exercise regimens. Weight loss results are said to be noticeable within two weeks, but how much is not specified.

Is exercise promoted?

Type O's thrive on intense physical exercise and must exercise regularly in order to stay lean and fit. Similar to the physical responses of their hunter ancestors, Type O's are genetically programmed to overcome stress. Stress on the body is converted into a positive experience; exercise elevates spirits and allows for weight control. Type O's should exercise 3 to 4 times a week for anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes depending on the activity. Recommendations include: aerobics, stair climbing, martial arts, swimming, jogging, weight training, dancing, in-line skating and cycling.

Are supplements recommended the Blood Type Diet - Type O?

Various vitamin and herbal supplements are recommended; however vitamins and herbs that can benefit one blood type may be harmful to others. The supplement focus for Type O's includes supercharging the metabolism, increasing blood-clotting, preventing inflammation, and stabilizing the thyroid. The recommended Blood Type O Diet supplements are vitamin B, calcium, licorice, bladder wrack (kelp) and digestive enzymes. Supplements to avoid include vitamin A and vitamin E, as they may compromise blood clotting capacities (foods that contain these vitamins are allowed in moderation).