Eating Plan for Type B Metabolism

Some people believe an individualized diet plan tailored to their unique metabolic needs works better than a traditional diet plan. The blood-type diet's inventor says it can promote weight loss and decrease chronic disease risks by instructing dieters to eat specific foods depending on their blood type. Celebrities Courtney Cox and Liz Hurley have followed the blood type plan, raising public awareness of the controversial diet. Talk to your doctor before beginning a diet based on your blood type.

Features

Naturopathic physician Peter D'Adamo developed the blood type diet based on his theories about the reaction of blood proteins with specific foods. The presence of certain protein markers, or antigens, on the surface of your red blood cells determines your blood type. People with the A antigen are blood type A, people with a B antigen are type B, people with both antigens are type AB and people with neither protein are type O. D'Adamo believes these blood cell proteins react negatively with components of certain foods. Each blood type has a specialized eating plan that supposedly prevents negative reactions between blood cells and food.

Foods to Eat

Whey Protein and Type O Blood Types

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People with type B blood can eat a variety of meat and dairy products. Specific meats and fish allowed on the diet include:

• lamb
  
• mutton
  
• venison
  
• rabbit
  
• pheasant
  
• turkey
  
• beef
  
• veal
  
• cod
  
• salmon
  
• flounder
  
• trout
  
• sole
  
• halibut
  
• other ocean fishes

Type B individuals may also eat milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products. Acceptable grain products include spelt, rice, oatmeal and millet. Type B dieters can also eat leafy green vegetables, pineapples, bananas, cranberries and plums.

Foods to Avoid

A variety of foods supposedly react negatively with blood proteins in people with type B blood. Prohibited meats and fish include:

• chicken
  
• game hens
  
• sea bass
  
• eel
  
• octopus
  
• anchovies
  
• shrimp
  
• oysters
  
• clams
  
• crab
  
• lobsters

Although most dairy products are acceptable, American cheese, ice cream, string cheese and blue cheese supposedly cause health problems.

Eating Plan

A List of Foods to Eat Right for Your Blood Type

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For breakfast, consider eating rice bran cereal or a bowl of oatmeal with a glass of milk. An acceptable lunch can be a salad with leafy green vegetables, cheese and a light vinaigrette dressing. For dinner, eat grilled meat or fish with sauteed vegetables. Snacks may include fresh fruit, yogurt or a slice of cheese.

Misconceptions

Although D'Adamo's theories about blood protein and food interactions might seem compelling, no scientific evidence supports the blood type diet. Juliette Kellow, a dietitian from the United Kingdom, says the blood type diet is an unhealthy eating plan 2. By eliminating large food groups from your diet, you might lose some weight, but this eating plan is not sustainable long term and could cause nutritional deficiencies and other health problems. Discuss your diet plans with a doctor to create a healthy eating plan that works for you.