Complete Guide to the Blood Type B Positive Diet

Understanding the Basics of the Blood Type Diet

The b positive blood type diet is a popular eating plan developed by Dr. Peter D'Adamo based on the concept that your blood type governs how you respond to different foods. By tailoring your diet to your blood type - whether A, B, AB or O - he claims you can lose weight, have more energy, and avoid chronic illness.

The Premise of Eating Right for Your Blood Type

According to Dr. D’Adamo’s best selling book Eat Right 4 Your Type, people with different blood types process food differently. He theorizes that each blood type evolved at a certain point in human history, when our ancestors were eating very specific diets.

Due to this, he proposes that each blood type retains qualities of our ancestors - so a diet tailored to your individual blood group can have noticeable health effects compared to a mismatched diet. For example:

• Type O is considered the oldest blood type, from the hunter-gatherer era. This diet focuses on lean protein, fruits and vegetables.
• Type A developed later in more agrarian societies. This diet is largely plant-based and centered around whole grains, fruits, veggies and legumes.
• Type B blood type diet originated from nomadic cultures in colder regions. It includes a mix of meat and plants.
• Type AB is the most recently developed blood group and includes benefits of both type A and B diet plans.

Recommended Foods for Type B Diet

The b positive blood type diet calls for a balanced diet containing meat, seafood, dairy, eggs, specific grains, fruits and vegetables. These are considered beneficial for type B’s metabolism, immune health and cells:

• Meats: Lamb, mutton, rabbit, venison
• Poultry: Turkey, goose, duck
• Fish: Cod, salmon, tuna, sardines
• Eggs and Dairy: Eggs, goat milk, feta cheese
• Grains: Oats, rice, millet, quinoa, amaranth
• Fruits: Cranberries, blueberries, plums, grapefruit
• Veggies: Broccoli, spinach, olive oil, seaweed
• Sweeteners: Brown rice syrup, molasses, maple syrup
• Herbs & Spices: Ginger, turmeric, parsley, curry powder
• Beverages: Juices, green tea, aloe vera juice

Foods to Avoid on the Type B Diet

Just as important as foods to embrace are those to limit or avoid, which allegedly trigger inflammation and other issues for Type B’s:

• Meats: Chicken, beef, pork
• Dairy: Cow’s milk, colby cheese, cheddar cheese
• Grains: Corn, buckwheat, sesame seeds, wheat
• Fruits: Bananas, coconut
• Veggies: Corn, kidney beans, lentils, peanuts
• Misc: Vinegar, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate

The Type B Personality and Body

In addition to an optimized diet, Dr. D’Adamo suggests Type B individuals also have distinctive qualities like personality traits, health strengths or weaknesses, and reactions to stress. Some examples for Type B’s include:

Personality and Emotions

• Adaptable, empathetic and easygoing
• Sensitive and get overwhelmed by crowds
• Naturally intuitive and tend to follow their gut
• Prone to stress when rushed or feeling undisciplined

Health Strengths

• Robust immune systems that fight bacteria and viruses well
• Often have a resilient digestive tract
• Respond well to rest and relaxation techniques like meditation
• Likely to have normal blood pressure

Common Health Weaknesses

• Higher risk for slow-growing viruses and neurological disorders
• Prone to metabolic or autoimmune issues when overweight
• Hormonal imbalances are frequent
• Hypothyroidism and fatigue

It’s believed tailoring your lifestyle, exercise regimen and stress relief to your Type B traits along with the recommended diet can enhance wellness.

Does the Type B Diet Work for Weight Loss?

For b positive blood type individuals, this diet eliminates major culprits for weight gain like wheat, corn and certain dairy while emphasizing nutritious whole foods. By restricting unhealthy foods, it may be easier to lose weight.

However, there are no peer-reviewed studies proving this diet is more effective for weight loss compared to any other calorie-controlled diet. There is also concern that extremely limiting entire food groups long-term could lead to nutritional deficiencies.

Overall the quality of foods focused on may aid weight control, but more research is still needed on the concept of blood type specific diets.

Tips to Make the Type B Diet Work for You

If you want to give the Type B diet a try for losing weight or other health goals, here are some helpful tips:

• Be Prepared for Changes - Significantly altering your normal diet can be challenging at first. Ease into it slowly by crowding out unhealthy foods with more recommended ones.
• Read Labels Carefully - Scan ingredient lists vigilantly to check for hidden corn, wheat, peanuts or other unsuitable items for your blood type.
• Cook More Meals at Home - Preparing your own food makes sticking to your new diet much simpler than eating out.
• Find Acceptable Substitutions - Swap pasta for quinoa, corn tortillas for collard wraps, white rice for brown. Get creative!
• Listen to Your Body - Note how you feel after eating certain foods. Identify problem items that make you tired, achy or bloated.
• Enjoy New Foods - Instead of seeing limits, get excited to experience with fun foods new to you like goat cheese, salmon, and amaranth.

Can the Type B Diet Improve Health?

According to Dr. D’Adamo, the tailored diet recommendations and lifestyle guidance for each blood type is shown to:

• Boost energy levels
• Aid digestion
• Support a healthy gut
• Regulate hormones and metabolism
• Control weight and inflammation
• Fight virus and infections
• Increase overall wellbeing

However, many health professionals consider the evidence behind these claims to be weak. More research needs to be done on associations between different blood types and disease risks.

Potential Benefits of the Type B Diet

That said, there are some notable perks to the b positive blood type diet for health:

• Nutrient Dense - The diet is packed with antioxidant and vitamin-rich fruits, veggies, herbs and spices.
• Anti-Inflammatory - It avoids processed and fried foods that can cause system-wide inflammation.
• Heart Healthy Fats - Healthy fats like olive oil and salmon are encouraged.
• Digestive Support - Fermented foods and gut-friendly grains like oats and rice feed good gut flora.
• Hormone Regulation - Blood sugar and insulin are kept steady thanks to the focus on whole foods with a lower glycemic load.

Even if the direct link between blood type and disease is unproven, eating more real, whole foods is unanimously considered beneficial.

Are There Any Risks With the Blood Type B Diet?

Given how extremely restrictive the diet can be - no wheat, corn, beef and more - it raises concerns over sustainability and potential nutritional shortcomings, such as:

• Calcium Deficiency - Dairy limitations may require seeking calcium from plant sources.
• Lower Fiber Intake - Many high fiber foods like beans and lentils are not allowed.
• Insufficient Calories - Dieters may consume too few daily calories, leading to fatigue and hunger.
• Social Isolation - Rigid food rules make dining out and social gatherings difficult.
• Developing Disordered Eating - Obsessive restriction of food groups frequently precedes dangerous eating disorders.

Be mindful of any warning signs like chronic hunger, food obsession, isolation from others or dramatic weight fluctuations.

Tips to Reduce Risks

To help avoid adverse effects, make sure to:

• Consult your doctor and dietitian, especially if pregnant, breastfeeding, elderly, underweight/overweight, diabetic, or suffer from gastrointestinal issues, autoimmune disorders, heart disease, or other health conditions.
• Maintain a regular, balanced caloric intake without overly limiting macronutrients like protein, fat and carbs.
• Supplement if necessary to meet daily vitamin and mineral needs.
• Carefully plan meals and snacks when eating out so you still get nutrients and calories you need.
• Focus on sustainability and variety over extreme limitations.

Wrapping Up: Who Should Try the Blood Type B Diet?

The b positive blood type diet centers around the theory that your genetics and ancestral history directly impact how you metabolize and process macro and micronutrients. By consuming foods that are harmonious to your blood type, you can purportedly optimize health and minimize disease risks.

This diet may offer worthwhile guidance on food choices for increased energy, healthier aging, stabilizing blood sugar and maintaining a robust immune system. It emphasizes wholesome, nutritionally-dense foods shown to fight inflammation while limiting processed items.

However the evidence directly linking blood type to disease is considered limited and controversial by most experts. More research would be needed on associations between different blood groups and risks.

Talk to your doctor before starting the blood type B diet, especially if you have underlying health conditions, food allergies/intolerances or nutritional deficiencies. While not necessarily harmful short-term, extreme limitations long-term raise the likelihood of sustainability challenges or potential nutrient gaps.

Overall nutrition should be personalized to your unique needs, goals and preferences regardless of blood type. Focus on a balanced pattern of whole foods you enjoy while avoiding triggers that don’t make you feel your best.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.