We’ve all been there – diligently following the latest food trend, piling our plate with lentils, wholegrains, or kale, only to feel tired, bloated, or just “off”.
It’s frustrating, especially when you’re doing your best to eat what you’ve been told is good for you. But what if the problem isn’t the food itself, but that it simply isn’t right for you?
That’s the lightbulb moment I had nearly 20 years ago when I discovered the Blood Type Diet. As an O blood type, I was puzzled by how heavy and uncomfortable I felt after eating beans or grains, despite them being hailed as nutritional powerhouses.
It wasn’t until I began learning more about how our blood type can influence digestion, metabolism, and immune responses that it all started making sense.
This way of eating, developed by Dr Peter D’Adamo, proposes that our blood type can determine which foods our bodies are naturally inclined to thrive on, and which ones can trigger inflammation, fatigue, and digestive issues.
While it may not be for everyone, I can say this: once I began tailoring my meals to suit my blood type, everything changed.
The most surprising part? Many of the foods that disagreed with me were things I never particularly liked – lentils, kidney beans, and corn, to name a few. But like many of us, I ate them because they were considered “healthy”. Giving myself permission to listen to my body felt both freeing and healing.
A mother’s instinct and an A-type child
One of my daughters is blood type A. From the moment she started solids, she flat-out refused meat.
At first, I worried – we’re so often told that children must eat protein-rich foods like chicken or beef. But with my understanding of the Blood Type Diet, I knew that A types often do better on a vegetarian or semi-vegetarian diet. So, I trusted her instincts. Years later, she still doesn’t eat meat and thrives on a plant-based diet that suits her body perfectly.
It’s fascinating how our blood type may quietly shape our natural preferences — and even more powerful when we begin to tune in and eat accordingly.
Why it works
The theory behind the Blood Type Diet is that certain proteins in food, called lectins, can react differently with each blood type.
When we eat foods incompatible with our blood type, these lectins can cause inflammation, digestive problems, and even interfere with nutrient absorption. While scientific opinions are divided, many people (myself included) have experienced tangible benefits – from better energy to improved digestion,by aligning our meals with our blood type.
What foods to avoid, according to your blood type:
Type O (The Hunter – thrives on high-protein, low-carb foods)
* Wheat and most grains
* Lentils and kidney beans
* Dairy products
* Corn
* Cabbage and cauliflower
Type A (The Cultivator – suited to a plant-based diet)
* Red meat
* Dairy
* Kidney beans
* Potatoes
* Tomatoes
Type B (The Nomad – more flexible, but with key restrictions)
* Chicken
* Corn
* Lentils
* Peanuts
* Sesame seeds
Type AB (The Enigma – a mix of A and B traits)
* Red meat
* Kidney beans
* Corn
* Chicken
* Buckwheat
Eating according to your blood type isn’t about restriction, it’s about tuning in.
For me, it’s helped make sense of long-held food sensitivities and has allowed me to build a way of eating that feels intuitive and sustainable.
Whether or not the science convinces everyone, the results speak for themselves: feeling better, lighter, and more in balance.
Lifestyle
