Blood Type O Diet & Dairy

Dr. Peter D'Adamo pioneered the idea of eating based on your blood type. He outlines several diets for each blood type, with do's and don'ts for each. The "O" blood type diet prohibits dairy products and instead recommends several alternative sources of calcium. Blood type diets are considered a fad diet by most of the medical establishment. Consult your doctor before making any major changes to your diet.

History

As D'Adamo explains, your blood type is part of your genetic make-up. Blood types evolved over time as humans migrated to different regions and developed different habits. As such, D'Adamo believes different blood types have developed different genetic predispositions, including which foods are best for optimal health. The oldest, or original blood type, is O, followed by blood type A, then B, and finally AB. The diet D'Adamo proposes as best for each blood type depends on what their ancestors ate. Type O ancestors were hunter-gatherers. A's were agrarian and B's were more nomadic, eating whatever was available.

O Blood Types

O blood types are descended from hunters. They were primarily meat eaters, and developed a hardy digestive system. However, D'Adamo believes they were intolerant to dietary and environmental change and adaptations. D'Adamo recommends O blood types eat a variety of meats, especially organ meats and wild game. They should eat vegetables that grow above ground with little cultivation, such as broccoli, spinach and lettuce. Their digestive system is not suited for large crops such as wheat and corn, and should avoid these grains and others with gluten, according to D'Adamo's theory. They should eat fresh fruit as available, including nuts and berries, and avoid root vegetables and legumes. The O blood type diet is similar to the hunter-gatherer diet, also known as the Paleolithic diet.

Dairy Products

D'Adamo asserts that because ancestors of O blood types were intolerant of changes in diet and environment, they are equally sensitive and more prone to food allergies today. For this reason, he suggests avoiding, or at least limiting, most dairy products and other potential allergens, such as wheat gluten. He specifically lists cultured dairy products and cheeses among those to eliminate from the diet completely. O blood types should therefore avoid yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese, whey, sour cream, and all hard and soft cheeses. He claims eggs, fresh farm milk, butter and ghee are neutral and can be consumed in limited amounts. As an alternative source of protein and calcium, Dr. D'Adamo recommends soy milk and soy cheeses.

Considerations

If you choose to follow D'Adamo's Blood Type Diet, consider also following nutritional guidelines of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA recommends adults consume a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables each day, including 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 to 3 cups of vegetables. They also need 6 to 8 ounces of grains, half of which are whole grains, as well as 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 ounces of protein foods, such as meat, eggs and dried beans daily. Dairy products should be limited to 3 cups per day or less.
These guidelines can still be met following the Blood Type Diet by substituting soy milk and cheese for conventional dairy products. Acceptable grains for O blood types include gluten-free grains like spelt, millet and brown rice.