According to the Blood Type Diet philosophy, people with A-positive blood should eat and exercise differently than people who belong to the AB, B or O blood groups. The Blood Type Diet was developed by Peter D'Adamo and instructs individuals who belong to the A blood group -- whether A positive or A negative -- to adhere to highly specific lifestyle habits in order to experience optimal health. Although D'Adamo contends that his Blood Type Diet is based on the principles of genetic inheritance, medical professionals argue that the diet is not founded on solid scientific evidence. Talk to your doctor before following the diet restrictions for the A-positive blood group diet.
Background
In his 1996 book "Eat Right 4 Your Type: The Individualized Diet Solution to Staying Healthy, Living Longer & Achieving Your Ideal Weight," D'Adamo explains his theory that people who belong to the type A blood group are directly descended from prehistoric farmers who primarily consumed grains and vegetables. According to D'Adamo, people with A-positive blood will lose weight and decrease their risk of developing a number of medical conditions if they confine themselves to eating these foods because the lectin compounds introduced into their bodies from the food will be compatible with their blood type. D'Adamo says that if A-positive individuals do not eat lectin-compatible foods, they can increase their risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer and diabetes.
Recommended Foods and Exercise
People who belong to the A-positive blood group are advised to center their meals around fish like red snapper, rainbow trout, salmon and cod; beans and legumes like pintos, lentils and soybeans; grains such as buckwheat, amaranth, Ezekiel bread and products made from oat, rye or rice flour; and most fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens like broccoli, kale and spinach, onions, and berries like blackberries, blueberries, cherries and cranberries. Blood type A people should strictly avoid red meat, dairy products, eggs and all wheat products. Foods should be cooked in olive or flaxseed oil and seasoned with garlic, ginger, mustard or soy sauce. They should avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugar and should consume small meals frequently throughout the day instead of only eating a few large meals.D'Adamo recommends that people with type A blood choose 30 minutes of a calming exercise such as tai chi and yoga practiced at least three times a week over more intense types of physical activity since, according to D'Adamo, blood type A individuals become easily stressed due to a naturally higher cortisol level in their bodies.
Sample Menu
Breakfast on a typical A-positive blood type menu might consist of oatmeal cooked with soy milk and sweetened with maple syrup or soy milk and cornflakes accompanied by beverages like herbal tea, coffee, grapefruit juice and water with lemon. Lunch may contain a piece of sprouted wheat bread accompanied by a salad, apple and herbal tea. A typical dinner could be a tofu-based lasagna paired with broccoli or a tofu and vegetable stir-fry, coffee or tea, frozen yogurt and an optional glass of red wine. An afternoon snack is allowed on the diet, and might consist of plums, water and rice cakes spread with peanut butter or honey.
Expert Insight
MayoClinic.com advises that there is no scientific evidence to back up D'Adamo's claim that following a specified set of dietary and lifestyle guidelines based on your blood type can help you lose weight or experience enhanced health. Health professionals continue to emphasize that the best method for sustainable weight loss and optimal health is to consume a balanced, low-fat, low-calorie diet that incorporates a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein sources and encourages moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week.
