
Blood Type A
Blood Type A: The Cultivator
- The first vegetarian
- Sensitive digestive tract
- Tolerant immune system
- Responds best to stress with calming actions
- Requires an agrarian diet to stay lean and productive
The Type A Diet – Overview
Type A’s thrive on vegetarian diets, the inheritance of their settled farming ancestors. It is important that you recognise your genetic heritage and adjust your diet away from meats, dairy and other foods that will disrupt your metabolism. It is also beneficial, due to the sensitivity of the Type A digestive tract, to obtain organic, unprocessed foods whenever possible. Type A’s are biologically predisposed to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. If you follow this diet you can enhance your health and immune function, which may reduce your risks of developing these problems.
Foods below are presented under their broad headings as either beneficial, neutral or avoid. Try to eat as many of the beneficial foods as possible, the neutral foods to fill out your diet and avoid the rest as often as possible. Following the diet accurately will lead to benefits within 1-2 weeks of greater energy, reduction in symptoms of illness and fat loss (should that be necessary for your body).
Stress Profile
Stress is a highly personal experience, and what is incredibly stressful for one person may not create any problems for another. How we deal with stress is more important than the absolute level of stressful events that occur in our lives. Your blood type influences how you deal with stress and should guide your stress management techniques.
Type A’s tend to react to the first stage of stress (threat or alarm) intellectually. This over-intellectualising can lead to anxiety, irritability and hyperactivity if unchecked. Ongoing stress for a Type A will eventually weaken the immune system and lead to a increased susceptibility to infectious illness, heart disease and cancer. You will not cope well with continued confrontation or exposure to stress, as Type A’s require time alone to process and deal with life events
You will benefit from approaching stressful situations calmly and using techniques to reduce the overexcited nerves. Negative stress can be countered with ‘quieting’ techniques, such as Yoga, Tai Chi or meditation. Other moderately intense activities such as hiking, bicycling or brisk walking are also beneficial, so long as your mind is engaged by the activity. However, intense, competitive exercises will only leave you drained and more stressed than before you began.
Exercise
Type A’s should exercise at least 3-4 times per week to get the best results.
Exercise | Duration (minutes) | Frequency per week |
Tai Chi | 30-45 | 3-5 |
Yoga | 30 | 3-5 |
Martial Arts | 60 | 2-3 |
Golf | 60 | 2-3 |
Cycling | 60 | 2-3 |
Brisk Walking | 20-40 | 2-3 |
Hiking | 40-60 | 3 |
Brisk Walking | 30-40 | 2-3 |
Dancing | 30-45 | 2-3 |
Swimming | 30 | 3-4 |
Aerobics | 30-45 | 2-3 |
Stretching | 15 | 3-5 |
Weight Loss
You will tend to be leaner on the Type A diet. If you are currently eating meat, you will lose weight rapidly as you eliminate toxic foods from your system. You have probably already noticed that you feel sluggish and fatigued after you eat red meat, whilst vegetable proteins tend to enhance your energy levels. Typically you will be unable to burn meat efficiently for fuel, and will instead store it as fat.
Foods increasing Fat Loss | Foods interfering with Fat Loss |
Vegetable oils | Meat (poorly digested, stored as fat) |
Soya beans and soya products | Dairy |
Vegetables | Kidney beans, lima beans |
Pineapple | Wheat (in excess) |
Meat, Offal, Poultry and Game
To receive the greatest benefits from the diet, type A’s should eliminate all meat from their diets, as there are no beneficial meats for type A. This will be the most difficult part of the diet if you currently do eat meat. You may choose to begin by substituting red meats for chicken or fish, until you become more accustomed to the diet. Immediately, you should avoid all red meats, and all processed meat products such as ham, salami and frankfurters as the high nitrate levels can irritate the stomach.
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid | |
None | Chicken | Bacon | Mutton |
Poussin | Beef | Oxtail | |
Turkey | Buffalo | Partridge | |
Duck | Pheasant | ||
Goose | Pork | ||
Ham | Quail | ||
Heart | Rabbit | ||
Kidney | Sweetbreads | ||
Lamb | Tripe | ||
Liver | Veal | ||
Venison |
Seafood
You can enjoy seafood 3-4 times per week, but you should avoid flat fish like sole and plaice as they contain a lectin that can irritate the Type A digestive system. It is best to have seafood baked, grilled or poached for maximum health benefits.
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid | |
Carp | Abalone | Anchovy | Herring |
Cod | Mahi mahi | Barracuda | Lobster |
Grouper | Pike | Bluefish | Mussels |
Mackerel | Porgy | Catfish | Octopus |
Monkfish | Sailfish | Caviar | Oysters |
Red Schnapper | Sea bass | Clams | Plaice |
Rainbow trout | Shark | Conch | Scallops |
Salmon | Smelts | Crab | Shad |
Sardines | Schnapper | Crayfish | Shrimp |
Sea trout | Sturgeon | Eel | Smoked salmon |
Snails | Swordfish | Frog’s legs | Sole |
Tuna | Haddock | Squid | |
Hake | Striped bass | ||
Halibut |
Dairy Food and Eggs
You can tolerate small amounts of fermented dairy products (yogurt etc) but you should avoid anything made with whole milk. Type A blood creates antibodies to the primary sugar in milk and will react to it negatively when consumed. Eggs should be limited and only use organic if possible. Raw goats’ milk and soy products are excellent alternatives to dairy for the Type A diet. Type A’s will also tend to produce excessive amounts of mucus, which will interfere with and aggravate allergy symptoms
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid | |
Soy cheese | Egg | Blue cheese | Gouda cheese |
Soy milk | Feta cheese | Brie | Gruyere cheese |
Goat’s cheese | Buttermilk | Ice cream | |
Goat’s milk | Camembert | Jarlsburg cheese | |
Greek-style yogurt | Cheddar cheese | Skim milk | |
Kefir | Cottage cheese | Munster cheese | |
Mozzarella cheese | Crème fraich | Parmesan cheese | |
Quark | Edam cheese | Provolone cheese | |
Ricotta cheese | Emmenthal cheese | Neufachatel | |
Yogurt | Fromage frais |
Oils and Fats
Type A’s need very little fat to function well. A tablespoon of olive oil per day in salads or cooking will be sufficient. Olive oil has a positive effect on the heart and may reduce cholesterol levels and it is more stable during cooking than linseed, which is your other beneficial oil.
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid | |
Linseed (flaxseed) oil | Canola oil | Corn oil | Sunflower oil |
Olive oil | Cod liver oil | Cottonseed oil | Safflower oil |
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds can be beneficial to the Type A diet, and because they are a reasonable source of protein, are useful meat substitutes. If you have gall bladder problems, you should eat small amounts of nut butters, rather than whole nuts.
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid | |
Pumpkin Seeds | Almonds | Pecans | Brazil nuts |
Almond butter | Pine nuts | Cashews | |
Chestnuts | Poppy seeds | Pistachios | |
Hazelnuts | Sesame seeds | ||
Hickory nuts | Sunflower seeds | ||
Macadamia nuts | Tahini | ||
Walnuts |
Beans and Pulses
Type A’s thrive on the proteins found in beans and pulses. Along with the soy bean and soy products, many others are considered beneficial. Not all are recommended however, as some like kidney and navy beans and chickpeas contain a lectin that interferes with blood sugar levels and insulin regulation.
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid |
Aduki beans | Broad beans | Chick-peas |
Black beans | Cannellini beans | Kidney beans |
Black-eyed beans | Green beans | Lima beans |
Lentils – brown, green & red | Sugar-snap beans & peas | Navy beans |
Pinto beans | Peas – green | Red beans |
Soya beans | White beans |
Cereals
Type A’s generally do very well on cereals and grains, and can eat these foods one or more times per day. It is generally better to select whole grain versions of the various grains, rather than processed refined ‘white’ cereals. If you have a condition such as Asthma, which is associated with excessive mucus production, then it is wise to limit wheat consumption, as this will aggravate your condition. As wheat is acid forming, it is necessary to balance its consumption with alkaline-forming fruits and vegetables. You will function most effectively if your tissues are slightly alkaline
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid |
Amaranth | Barley | Cream of wheat |
Buckwheat | Cornflakes | Familia |
Cornmeal | Granola | |
Cream of rice | Weetbix | |
Millet – puffed | Wheat bran | |
Oat bran | Shredded wheat | |
Oat meal | ||
Rice – puffed | ||
Spelt |
Bread, Crispbread and Muffins
Similar to cereals and grains, Type A’s will generally benefit from consuming breads. Anyone who produces excess mucus or is overweight however, should avoid wheat. Soy and rice flours are good substitutes. Wheat is listed as a food to avoid, but most Type A’s who are healthy will tolerate small amounts.
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid |
Rice cakes | Brown rice bread | Durum wheat bread |
Soy flour | Corn muffins | English muffins |
Sprouted wheat bread | Cornbread | Multi-grain bread |
Gluten-free bread | Pumpernickel bread | |
Millet bread | Wheat bran muffins | |
Oat bran muffins | Whole-wheat bread | |
Polenta | ||
100% rye bread | ||
Rye crisps | ||
Spelt bread | ||
Ryvita crispbreads | ||
Wasa bread |
Grains and Pastas
Type A’s have a large choice of beneficial grains and pasta’s. These foods are good sources of complex carbohydrates and protein. To achieve maximum benefit from the protein component, it should be consumed along with beans or legumes (eg lentils and rice). As always, it is best to stay away from processed and refined grains, and choose the whole varieties, organically grown if possible.
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid | |
Buckwheat flour | Barley flour | Spelt flour | Plain flour |
Oat flour | Bulgar wheat flour | Sprouted-wheat flour | Self-raising flour |
Rice flour | Couscous | Quinoa | Semolina flour |
Rye flour | Durum wheat flour | Rice | Spinach flour |
Soba noodles | Gluten flour | Tapioca | Wholemeal flour |
Graham flour | Wild rice |
Vegetables, Sprouts, Soya Products and Fresh Herbs
Vegetables are essential to the Type A diet, providing minerals, enzymes and antioxidants. Most are suitable, however there are a few exceptions. Chilli’s will aggravate your sensitive stomach lining, and the mould in fermented olives is not beneficial. You will also need to avoid potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams and tomatoes. Tofu should be a staple of the Type A diet, having a high level of many nutrients including quality protein. If you are not accustomed to eating Tofu, it may take a little while to get used to. It is essentially tasteless and takes on the flavours of what it is cooked with. Generally people prefer to have it in stirfrys, with vegetables and spices for flavour.
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid | |
Alfalfa sprouts | Asparagus | Mung bean sprouts | Broad beans |
Beetroot leaves | Avocado | Mushrooms: | Cabbage |
Broccoli | Bamboo shoots | – abalone | Chilli pepper |
Collard greens | Beetroots | – chantarelles | Eggplant |
Cos lettuce | Bok choy | – enoki | Mushroom – cultivated |
Dandelion greens | Carrots | – porcini | Olives – black |
Endive | Cauliflower | – portobello | Olives – greek |
Escarole | Celery | – shiitake | Olives – spanish |
Garlic | Chicory | – tree oyster | Peppers |
Globe artichokes | Coriander | Olives – green | Potatoes |
Horseradish | Courgettes | Onions – spring | Sweet potato |
Jerusalem artichokes | Cucumber | Radicchio | Tomato |
Kale | Daikons | Radish | Yam |
Leeks | Fennel | Rocket | |
Okra | Jicama beans | Seaweeds | |
Onions | Lettuce | Squash | |
Parsley | Mesclun salad mix | Swedes | |
Parsnips | Sweetcorn | ||
Pumpkins | Water chestnuts | ||
Spinach | Watercress | ||
Swiss chard | |||
Tempeh | |||
Tofu | |||
Turnips |
Fruits
You should eat fruit 3 times per day. Whilst most fruits are acceptable, you should try and emphasise the alkaline-forming fruits such as berries and plums, to balance the acidifying grains. Melons, whilst alkaline, are also high in mould and should be avoided. Those listed as neutral can be eaten occasionally. Tropical fruits such as mango and paw paw are not suitable for the type A diet. Pineapple however is an excellent source of benefical enzymes to enhance digestion. Oranges should be avoided, as they will tend to irritate your stomach lining.
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid | |
Apricots | Apples | – Crenshaw | Bananas |
Cherries | Blackberries | – Christmas | Coconuts |
Figs – dried or fresh | Blackcurrants | – musk | Mangoes |
Grapefruit | Blueberries | – spanish | Melons: |
Lemons | Boysenberries | Nectarines | – cantaloupe |
Pineapple | Cranberries | Peaches | – honeydew |
Plums | Dates | Pears | Oranges |
Prunes | Elderberries | Persimmons | Papayas |
Gooseberries | Pomegranates | Plantains | |
Grapes | Prickly pears | Rhubarb | |
Guava | Raisins | Tangerines | |
Kiwi | Raspberries | ||
Kumquat | Redcurrants | ||
Lime | Star fruit | ||
Loganberries | Strawberries | ||
Melons: | Watermelons | ||
– canang | |||
– casaba |
Juices and Other Fluids
Type A’s will benefit from starting each day with a small glass of warm water (from the kettle) with the juice of ½ a lemon squeezed into it. This can help to reduce mucus that has accumulated overnight in your digestive tract. Alkaline (low sugar) juices such as black cherry juice concentrate diluted with water, should be consumed in preference to more acid-forming, high sugar juices.
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid |
Apricot juice | Apple cider | Orange juice |
Black cherry juice | Apple juice | Papaya juice |
Carrot juice | Cabbage juice | Tomato juice |
Celery juice | Cranberry juice | |
Grapefruit juice | Cucumber juice | |
Pineapple juice | Grape juice | |
Prune juice | Juices of allowed vegetables | |
Lemon juice (and warm water) |
Spices, Dried Herbs and Flavourings
Many herbs can be beneficial for Type A, particularly those that boost immune function. Blackstrap molasses is a very rich source of minerals, especially iron, which is often low in the Type A diet. Sugar and chocolate are allowed, but should be consumed in small quantities.
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid | ||
Barley malt | Agar | Cornflour | Peppermint | |
Blackstrap molasses | Allspice | Corn syrup | Pimento | Gelatin – plain |
Garlic | Almond essence | Cream of tartar | Rice syrup | Chilli flakes |
Ginger | Anise | Cumin | Rosemary | Pepper – ground |
Miso | Arrowroot | Cinnamon | Saffron | Peppercorns |
Soy sauce | Basil | Sage | Vinegars | |
Tamari | Bay leaf | Dill | Salt | |
Bergamot | Honey | |||
Brown rice syrup | Horseradish | Spearmint | ||
Capers | Maple syrup | Sugar – brown | ||
Caraway | Marjoram | Sugar – white | ||
Cardamom | Mint | |||
Carob | Mustard – dry | Tamarind | ||
Chive | Nutmeg | Tarragon | ||
Chocolate | Paprika | Thyme | ||
Cloves | Parsley | Turmeric | ||
Coriander | Vanilla essence | |||
Vanilla pod |
Condiments
These are not recommended for any blood type, but Type A in particular needs to be careful of condiments with a vinegar content as it may aggravate the stomach lining.
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid |
None | Jam (from acceptable fruits) | Tomato sauce / ketchup |
Mustard | Mayonnaise | |
Salad dressing | Pickles | |
Relish | ||
Worcestershire sauce |
Herbal Teas
Type A’s can benefit from herbal teas in a number of ways. Herbs like Echinacea, Burdock, and Aloe will boost immune function, hawthorn is a heart tonic and ginger can be used to boost digestion. When stressed, you can benefit from chamomile or valerian tea.
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid | |
Alfalfa | Chickweed | Peppermint | Catnip |
Aloe | Coltsfoot | Raspberry leaf | Cayenne |
Burdock root | Dandelion | Sage | Cornsilk |
Chamomile | Dong Quai | Sarsaparilla | Red clover |
Echinacea | Elderflower | Senna | Rhubarb |
Fenugreek | Gentian | Shepherd’s purse | Yellow dock |
Ginseng | Golden seal | Scullcap | |
Ginger | Hops | Spearmint | |
Green tea | Horehound | Strawberry leaf | |
Hawthorn | Licourice Root | Thyme | |
Milk Thistle | Linden | Vervain | |
Rose-hip | Mullein | Yarrow | |
St John’s wort | Parsley | ||
Valerian |
Beverages
Red wine is beneficial for Type A’s due to it’s cardiovascular benefits. A glass or two of red wine most days is believed to lower the risk of heart and blood vessel disease. Coffee can also be beneficial in moderation as it increases the levels of stomach acid, which assists digestion. As with all blood types, pure fresh water should be consumed liberally.
Highly beneficial | Neutral | Avoid |
Coffee – regular or decaf | White wine | Beer |
Green tea | Distilled spirits | |
Red wine | Tea – black, decaf, regular | |
Soft Drinks |
Leave a reply
I am type A-. I have visited you regarding intolerances. I am Dairy, Wheat and Yeast intolerant. I have just read through this and it’s amazing how many of these things listed I suffer from, mucus for example. Do you have a diet plan I could follow? Perhaps I should make an appointment?
ReplyHi Sheridan
Our qualified nutritionist would be the perfect person to help you with your diet and intolerances. We would love to see you at our clinic. You can book your appointment with our nutritionist here!
Thanks for your message!
Reply