Weight Loss Foods for Blood Type A

The Blood Type Diet is based on a book written by Peter D'Adamo, ND, a naturopathic physician, who argues that you should consume specific foods based on your blood type. D'Adamo asserts that certain foods, when consumed, cause a chemical reaction with your blood, which in turn, has a reaction on your body that is greatly influenced by genetics.

Blood Type A Diet

• If you have blood type A, there are specific foods that you should add to your diet to promote general well-being and control your weight. D'Adamo argues that proteins identified as lectins in your blood react differently when encountering different food sources. The doctor further argues that the wrong kind of lectins, when introduced into a body with a blood type not conducive to such proteins, creates adverse bodily reactions. Your immune system does protect your body from some lectin proteins, but other lectins escape the immune system's defenses and get into the blood stream where they will have a baneful effect on the body and organs. Inappropriate foods can affect your energy levels, immunological functioning, mental state and ability to handle stress effectively.

Appropriate Foods

• After taking an at-home blood test to determine your blood type, you will begin to alter your diet with foods appropriate for the A blood type. Type A blood benefits from a diet that is strictly vegetarian in nature, and meats can prove toxic to this blood type. Once you have eliminated meats from your diet, your energy levels will be restored and you will have the ability to lose excess weight with ease. Your immune system will also be stronger. You can still derive the proteins you require from whole-grain foods, fresh vegetables and soy proteins. Essentially, the more natural and organic the food is the better it is for you and your health because blood type A people are supersensitive to food toxicities.

  Blood type A people are identified as "cultivators," who should refrain from consuming red meat at all times as well as dairy products. All fruits and vegetables are highly recommended as well as foods like legumes, beans, grains, whole grains, oats, brans, lima beans, kidney beans, tofu and seafood. Soy foods, pineapple and vegetable oil are also recommended for blood type A people looking to manage weight issues.

Considerations

• You may want to take a vitamin supplement if you choose to use the blood type diet to ensure that you get adequate mineral and vitamin intake. Critics of this diet argue that the blood type diet is far too restrictive and limits the individual to certain food groups, which may diminish the nutritional intake of your diet overall. Taking a multivitamin daily can help replace some of the nutritional values lost on this otherwise restrictive diet.