* hi. as part of my fresh start to 2012, i’m going to get back into health and wellness and more holistically than ever before. that’s the plan, anyway. i’ve always had the exercising part covered. i like it. i’m far too restless if i don’t regularly. it’s the diet part that’s difficult for me. my stomach and i aren’t friends – it’s perpetually angry and as a result, i’m consistently miserable. this has led to very interesting eating patterns. and exceptionally boring meal choices unless, of course, i’m prepared to pay dearly. that’s why it’s quite frustrating when people try to give me eating tips. “just eat chicken and broccoli,” they say, “and eggs for breakfast. and a bunch of nuts as a snack.” amazing. if i want to be curled up in a ball under my desk for the day, i’ll do just that.
the idea of eating for your blood type isn’t new but i never bothered trying it because i don’t know my blood type. i called the family doctor i’ve had since birth but she didn’t know it either. odd, i know, but apparently you have to specifically test for it. and i hate needles. in the interest of trying something new sans getting blood taken, i thought that maybe i could work backwards. perhaps i could identify the blood type that sounded most like what i already knew my body, with my stomach as the queen bee, hated.
i think i’m a. pretty sure, actually. and i’m going to follow the advice and see what happens – i’ll let you know how it goes. if you’re like me and don’t know your blood type, check out the descriptions below and see if you can figure it out. oh, and please note i’m not qualified or intending to give medical or diet advice, so do so at your own risk!
type o – the oldest blood type. you’re a predator. you like meat and meat likes you. because your stomach has so much acid to digest all the meat you’ve been hunting, you’re more susceptible to stomach ulcers. you’re also more likely to produce insufficient amounts of iodine, which regulates the thyroid. if your thyroid isn’t working properly, side effects include weight gain, fluid retention and fatigue. the “fight or flight” response is extreme for you. when stressed, you release adrenaline that can cause bouts of excessive anger, temper tantrums, hyperactivity. stress can manifest itself in behaviours like gambling, sensation seeking, risk taking, substance abuse and impulsivity.
how can you help your self-destructive self?
eat – lean, organic meats, vegetables, and fruits.
avoid – wheat, dairy, caffeine, and alcohol.
do – brisk regular exercise that taxes the cardiovascular and muscular skeletal system.
type a – emerged due to a dwindling supply of game to eat and forced the cultivation of grains, livestock, and stable communities, resulting in humans being able to fully utilize nutrients from carbohydrate sources. you’re (or should be starting to be now) a vegetarian. you have low levels of intestinal alkaline phosphatase that makes it difficult to digest and metabolize animal protein and fat. you have high levels of intestinal disaccharide digestive enzyme levels that make the digestion of carbohydrates more efficient. you have a very sensitive immune system and naturally high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can cause disrupted sleep patterns, daytime brain fog, increased blood viscosity (ew), and promotes muscle loss and fat gain.
how can you help your stressed-out self?
eat – grains and vegetables in as natural a state as possible and eat smaller meals at regular intervals.
avoid – meat, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, cured meat, and strong smells or perfumes.
do – yoga, meditation, tai chi, weight lifting, and aerobic activities, but do not over-train as this will actually raise cortisol levels.
type b – emerged due to severe change in climate as humans moved from hot, humid areas to cold ones. you have genetic potential for great malleability and the ability to thrive in changeable conditions. although you’re generally physically fit and mentally balanced, you produce higher than normal cortisol levels when stressed. despite this, you recover from stress quickly. certain foods affect the efficiency of your metabolic process, resulting in fatigue, fluid retention, and hypoglycemia, which is a severe drop in blood sugar after eating a meal. oh, and avoid chicken. yup. chicken contains a lectin (sugar-binding protein), which attacks your bloodstream and can lead to strokes and immune disorders. so the next time some muscle-bound guy tells you to eat a bunch of chicken breasts, tell him you’re type b.
how can you help your chicken-avoiding self?
eat – goat, lamb, mutton, rabbit, venison, green vegetables, eggs, and low fat dairy.
avoid – chicken, corn, wheat, buckwheat, lentils, tomatoes, peanuts and sesame seeds.
do – activities that are not too aerobically intense, have an element of mental challenge, and involve other people, such as tennis, martial arts, cycling, hiking and golf.
type ab – the newest blood type. and rare – it’s found in less than 5% of the world’s population. it emerged due to the mixing and mingling of type a’s and b’s. although you can eat meat, you have low levels of stomach acid so the meat you eat tends to get stored as fat. you should steer clear of chicken too. inhibited insulin production results in hypoglycemia, a lowering of blood sugar after meals and leads to less efficient metabolism of foods. under stress, you produce adrenaline and have intense emotions, but you’re able to recover from stress quickly. exercise is critical to maintain both your physical and mental balance.
how can you help your mixed-up self?
eat – tofu, seafood, dairy and green vegetables.
avoid – chicken, corn, wheat, buckwheat, lentils, tomatoes, peanuts, cured meat, sesame seeds, and eating starches and proteins in the same meal.
do – a combination of both calming activities and more intense physical exercise like running, biking, yoga, and tai chi.
anyone out there that already eats for their blood type? did it work for you or not? i’d love to know.
k *
Very cool, never heard of this before!