If you just can't shed those pesky pounds, it may be that you're eating the wrong foods for your blood type. People each digest and react to food differently depending on their blood type, according to "Eat Right 4 Your Type" author, Dr. Peter D'Adamo. Type Os tend to gain weight when eating wheat products. Dairy products and grains can trigger digestive problems in Type Os. If you're a Type O, eating the foods most compatible with your blood type helps you lose unwanted weight and maintain optimum health.
Vegetables
Vegetables are an important part of any food plan. But since Type Os tend to have low levels of thyroid hormone, vegetables that have a negative effect on thyroid hormone function such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower should be avoided. Eat nutrient-packed vegetables that build the immune system such as broccoli, kale, Romaine lettuce, onions, parsnips, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, Spinach and Swiss chard.
Fruits
The blood type diet recommends to Type O individuals fruits with an alkalizing effect that helps balance your body's pH level, making it less acidic. Most fruits work well with Type O metabolism, but the most beneficial fruits for Type Os, according to Dr. D'Adamo, include bananas, blueberries, black cherries and black cherry juice, figs, guavas, mangoes, pineapple juice, plums, prunes and prune juice. D'Adamo also recommends avoiding apple juice, avocados, blackberries, cantaloupe, coconut, honeydew, oranges and orange juice, strawberries, and tangerines.
Salt Water Fish and Kelp
Type O's tend to have low levels of thyroid hormone and low levels of iodine, which can affect your body's hormone regulation. The result is weight gain, fluid retention and fatigue. Dr. D'Adamo suggests a diet rich in saltwater fish, such as cod, tuna, salmon, tilapia, halibut and red snapper, and kelp, a form of seaweed, to help regulate the thyroid gland.
Lean Meats
Type Os are able to easily digest and metabolize lean meats because of the acidity in their muscle tissue, according to Dr. D'Adamo. But this same acidity level tends to make Os more susceptible to ulcers than other blood types. Protein is very important for maintaining the health of Type Os. Choose skinless chicken breasts and lean cuts of red meat such as top round, top sirloin or flank steak. In addition to lean meats, protein-rich foods such as egg whites and nuts are recommended.
References
- Eat Right For Your Type: What Makes a 'Type O' an Individual?
- New Hampshire Fish And Game: Is It Safe To Eat Saltwater Fish?
- Cure Zone: Educating Instead of Medicating: Vegetable/Vegetable Juice Food Lists: Food Lists - The Blood Type Diet
- Cure Zone: Educating Instead of Medicating: Fruit and Fruit Juice Food Lists: Food Lists - The Blood Type Diet
Writer Bio
Karen Curinga has been writing published articles since 2003 and is the author of multiple books. Her articles have appeared in "UTHeath," "Catalyst" and more. Curinga is a freelance writer and certified coach/consultant who has worked with hundreds of clients. She received a Bachelor of Science in psychology.