Among the dozens of diet plans popularized by celebrities is the blood type diet. This fad diet, created by naturopathic physician Peter D'Adamo, claims that people should eat specific foods based on their blood type. According to D'Adamo's blood type diet, only some people with type O blood should eat Brussels sprouts. Before starting the individualized diet plan for people with type O blood, discuss your nutritional needs with a physician or dietitian.
Type O Positive Blood
The blood type diet claims that examining the evolutionary history of a particular blood type identifies the ideal foods for that type. Type O was the original blood type of early humans in Africa. These people survived by adopting a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Thus, D'Adamo believes that modern people with type O blood should eat mostly meats. The presence of Rh factor, which is denoted as having a "positive" blood type, is not thought to affect your dietary needs.
Secretor Status
Whether or not you can eat Brussels sprouts depends on your secretor status. According to D'Adamo, secretors have high levels of blood type proteins in their saliva, mucus and other body secretions. Non-secretors do not have blood type protein in their saliva or mucus. A special blood test supposedly determines your secretor status, although most conventional medicine professionals do not believe secretor status affects your health.
Type O individuals who are secretors may eat Brussels sprouts. Non-secretors with blood type O should avoid Brussels sprouts because their bodies may react negatively to them.
Benefits
In general, type O individuals may eat a variety of vegetables on the blood type diet, although secretors may eat Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, folate and other important nutrients. The blood type diet allows you to eat three to five cups of vegetables each day if you have type O-positive blood. Eating a variety of vegetables in addition to Brussels sprouts ensures that you receive important vitamins and minerals.
Considerations
D'Adamo believes that altering your diet to fit a type O diet profile will help you lose weight, feel more energetic and decrease your risk of chronic disease. Few medical professionals accept these claims. According to Juliette Kellow, a dietitian from the United Kingdom, the blood type diet has no nutritional merit and is not based on sound scientific principles. Brussels sprouts provide your body with valuable vitamins and minerals regardless of your blood type.
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