Diet For B Positive People

According to naturopath Peter J. D'Adamo, people who belong to the B positive blood group should follow a detailed diet that includes foods D'Adamo says will promote weight loss, health and increased energy in all type B individuals. D'Adamo's plan, often called the Blood Type diet, is based on his belief that you can prevent the development of medical conditions by eating foods that harmonize with the genetic makeup you inherited from your ancient ancestors. Health professionals, however, contend that there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that diets based on your blood type are either safe or effective.

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 poor health and weight gain occurs when people consume foods containing lectin compounds that are incompatible with their blood type. D'Adamo says that people with type B blood -- whether B positive or B negative -- are descended from ancient tribal Mongolians who primarily consumed meat and dairy products from their herds of domesticated animals. They also regularly ate grains and easily harvested vegetables and fruit. By focusing their diet on these supposedly lectin-compatible foods, D'Adamo claims B positive individuals can avoid depression, digestive system problems and hypothyroidism.

Recommended Foods and Exercise

D'Adamo advises that the best foods for people belonging to the type B blood group are meats like venison, lamb and rabbit; fish like salmon, cod, halibut and flounder; eggs; dairy products like cottage cheese, milk and yogurt; and beans such as navy, lima or kidney beans. On the Blood Type diet, type B people can also eat baked goods made with rice or oat flour; grains such as millet, oatmeal and spelt; dark leafy greens including broccoli, kale, mustard greens and collards; and other vegetables such as beets, peppers and eggplants. D'Adamo advises that type B individuals should avoid fruits other than grapes, bananas, pineapples, cranberries, papayas and plums. They should also strictly avoid all nuts and seeds, chicken, tomatoes and wheat products. Besides following these diet instructions, type B people should engage in regular high-intensity exercise such as hiking, cycling or tennis.

Sample Menu

A typical Blood Type diet breakfast for a B positive individual might consist of a banana paired with rice bran cereal and milk, grape juice and a juice, lecithin and flaxseed oil mixture that D'Adamo calls a fluidizer cocktail. Lunch could be a sandwich of turkey breast with cheese or bread with tuna fish, a salad of leafy greens and green tea. Yogurt could serve as an afternoon snack, and a typical dinner might consist of vegetables, broiled fish, fruit and herbal tea or coffee. Foods can be cooked and dressed with olive oil and seasoned with the spices curry, ginger, cayenne or parsley.

Expert Insight

MayoClinic.com advises that there isn't any scientific evidence to support the Blood Type diet claims. David L. Katz, director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center agrees; he told "The Oprah Magazine" in 2009 that following the Blood Type diet could result in nutritional deficiencies that may put you at risk for certain health conditions. Speak to your doctor about the possible side effects and dangers before starting the Blood Type diet.