A-Positive Blood Type Diet: What to Eat, What to Avoid, and More (2024)

Some people believe that eating certain foods, including soy protein and certain kinds of grains, may benefit people with an A-positive blood type.

The concept of blood-type diets was originally put forth by the naturopathic physician Dr. James L. D’Adamo.

His son, Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo, popularized the diet in his book, “Eat Right 4 Your Type.” He claims that differing blood types evolved at various points in our genetic history and that your blood type should determine what you eat and how you exercise.

Blood type diets are a system of eating that categorizes foods as beneficial, neutral, or harmful. It’s based on a person’s blood type and other factors.

D’Adamo claims foods harmful to your blood type cause an agglutination reaction. This makes blood cells stick together, increasing the risk of disease.

Read on to learn more about this diet and D’Adamo’s claims.

The blood type diet requires a regimen called compliance. This refers to eating “beneficials.” Beneficials are chosen for each blood type, based upon the lectins, or molecules, which the food contains.

On this diet, people are defined as being “secretors” or “nonsecretors.” These terms refer to an individual’s ability to secrete blood-type antigens into bodily fluids. What you eat is partly based upon your secretor status. This is why the diet is known as an individualized plan.

Food ratios are also provided for each blood type group. These are further broken down into ratios specifically recommended for people of African, Caucasian, and Asian descent. Supplements are recommended for blood-type diets, which are sold on D’Adamo’s website.

According to Dr. D’Adamo, the A-positive blood type became prevalent during the early years of the agricultural age. He theorizes this is why people with this blood type can readily digest vegetables and carbohydrates, but have a difficult time digesting animal protein and fat.

The A-positive blood type diet is primarily vegetarian. D’Adamo believes people with this blood type have less-than-robust immune systems and are prone to anxiety. His diet plan promises:

  • weight loss
  • less disease
  • more energy
  • better digestion

As with any diet, people may try this plan in order to lose weight or for other health benefits. Weight loss and lowered cholesterol have been reported by people who have tried this diet. However, there’s no evidence the theory underlying this diet caused these results.

Like many other food plans, this plan stresses the avoidance of:

  • processed foods
  • foods high in sugar
  • simple carbohydrates

These diet measures are known to benefit anyone’s health, regardless of blood type.

D’Adamo recommends people on the A-positive blood type diet eat an organic, vegetarian, or almost-vegetarian food plan. Foods that D’Adamo recommends to eat include

  • soy protein, such as tofu
  • certain grains, such as spelt, hulled barley, and sprouted bread
  • walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and peanuts
  • olive oil
  • certain fruits, such as blueberries and elderberries
  • certain kinds of beans and legumes
  • certain vegetables, especially dark, leafy greens, such as kale, Swiss chard, and spinach
  • garlic and onions
  • cold-water fish, such as sardines and salmon
  • limited amounts of chicken and turkey
  • green tea
  • ginger

The diet recommends eating protein at the start of the day. Canned sardines or a smoothie made with silken tofu and goat milk may be a good option.

Limited amounts of animal protein, such as turkey and eggs, are allowed on this diet plan. They may be eaten for breakfast. Vegetables, fruits, and the allowed grains may be eaten at any meal.

The list of foods people with A-positive blood should avoid is extremely extensive. It includes, but isn’t limited to:

  • beef
  • pork
  • lamb
  • cow’s milk
  • potatoes, yams, and sweet potatoes
  • certain vegetables, such as cabbage, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, and mushrooms
  • lima beans
  • certain fruits, such as melons, oranges, strawberries, and mangos
  • poultry other than chicken and turkey, such as duck
  • venison
  • fish, such as bluefish, barracuda, haddock, herring, and catfish
  • some grains and grain products, such as wheat bran, multigrain bread, and durum wheat
  • refined sugar
  • refined carbohydrates, such as white flour and white bread
  • oils other than olive oil
  • artificial ingredients
  • most condiments

Medical conditions which D’Adamo states are associated with this blood type include:

  • cancer
  • diabetes
  • anxiety disorders
  • cardiovascular disease

However, there’s no scientific evidence that the blood-type diet works or that it alleviates any specific health conditions.

For instance, a 2021 study found that among 68 subjects who ate a low-fat, vegan diet, those who had type A blood did not experience any additional health benefits compared to those with other blood types.

Another 2018 study found that no type of blood has any effect on the association between following one of the blood-type diets and the chance of developing heart disease in overweight adults.

One 2014 study found that adherence to the A-positive blood type diet might yield benefits, such as:

  • reduced body mass index (BMI)
  • blood pressure
  • serum triglycerides
  • cholesterol

However, these benefits weren’t seen to be influenced by, or associated with, study participants’ blood types.

While no specific risks have been identified to date given the limited research, this diet is restrictive and may be difficult to follow.

It’s important that anyone striving to follow this eating plan makes sure they’re getting broad-based nutrition from a wide range of foods, including protein sources.

What is special about A+ blood?

Having A-positive blood simply means that you’ve inherited it from your parents from various possible combinations:

The positive marker is related to the presence of certain antigens in your blood along with a protein known as the rhesus (Rh) factor.

There’s no scientific evidence that having A-positive blood is anything unique. In fact, it’s quite common. However, because it occurs in 34% of Americans, it means that it’s one of the types most easily to find or donate for a transfusion.

Can blood type A eat sugar?

The A-positive diet recommends avoiding refined sugar and foods that are high in sugar. There’s no evidence there’s a specific benefit from doing this for people with A-positive blood. That said, this is a common recommendation in other diets and by many nutritionists that is likely to benefit anyone.

Are eggs OK for blood type A?

The A-positive diet also recommends limiting eggs. Eating them in small amounts during breakfast is optimal, according to the diet.

There are some known risks associated with eating eggs. First, they may increase cholesterol, and eating one egg or more daily may be associated with the chance of developing certain cancers.

That said, as with sugar, there is no evidence that eating or avoiding any food is specifically beneficial to a person with a particular blood type.

Eggs are still a nutritious food that can be a good source of protein in any diet. In most cases, eating 1-2 eggs daily isn’t likely to be harmful for most young, healthy adults. This has been confirmed by recent research findings. One egg daily may even help support better cognitive abilities in older adults, according to additional research.

Learn more about the eggs.

Blood-type diets may yield weight loss and other positive results because they’re highly restrictive. They also eliminate foods that are known to adversely affect health.

However, there’s no scientific evidence linking a person’s blood type to their need to avoid, or eat, specific foods.

If you do decide to follow this plan, make sure to eat as wide a range of foods as possible so you get enough nutrition. You can also talk to your doctor about your individual risk of developing a disease. They can help you make lifestyle changes to ensure you’re living your healthiest life.

A-Positive Blood Type Diet: What to Eat, What to Avoid, and More (2024)

FAQs

A-Positive Blood Type Diet: What to Eat, What to Avoid, and More? ›

Your platelets are the most powerful part of your A+ blood. Platelets can be donated as often as every seven days, recommended every 14, and up to 24 times a year. Platelets are in high demand by hospitals and help cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

What foods should blood type A positive avoid? ›

The diet for A blood types recommends people avoid consuming most animal meat products and certain seafood, such as:
  • beef.
  • pork.
  • lamb.
  • veal.
  • venison.
  • duck and goose.
  • anchovy.
  • barracuda.

What is special about A+ blood? ›

Your platelets are the most powerful part of your A+ blood. Platelets can be donated as often as every seven days, recommended every 14, and up to 24 times a year. Platelets are in high demand by hospitals and help cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

What is the best breakfast for blood type A? ›

On the blood type diet, a good breakfast if you're type A is whole-grain cereal, such as steel-cut oatmeal, along with fresh mixed fruit. Typical snacks for type A are foods such as fruit, nuts, seeds, rice cakes and peanut butter. For lunch, it's typical to have a large, hearty salad with lots of fresh vegetables.

Can blood type A eat bananas? ›

Blood Group: A

You shouldn't eat dairy products, fish, red meat and organ meat, banana, coconut, papaya, cashew, pistachios and beer.

Are eggs bad for blood type A? ›

What diet is best for people with A+ blood type? The diet recommends eating protein at the start of the day. Canned sardines or a smoothie made with silken tofu and goat milk may be a good option. Limited amounts of animal protein, such as turkey and eggs, are allowed on this diet plan.

What should a positive blood type eat to lose weight? ›

To lose weight, seafood, kelp, red meat, broccoli, spinach, and olive oil are best; wheat, corn, and dairy are to be avoided. Those with type A blood should choose fruit, vegetables, tofu, seafood, turkey, and whole grains but avoid meat.

Is blood type A positive rare? ›

1 in 3 people are A positive, which is why it is one of the most common blood types. As you can imagine A positive blood is in high demand, because it is present in a large percentage of the population.

What is the disadvantage of A+ blood group? ›

A, AB, and B blood types are more at risk than type Os. Specifically, people with type A blood are more likely to get stomach cancer. Researchers think this might be because H. pylori infection is more common in people with type A blood. That's a bacteria that's usually found in the stomach.

What is the healthiest blood type? ›

Of the eight main blood types, people with Type O have the lowest risk for heart attacks and blood clots in the legs and lungs. This may be because people with other blood types have higher levels of certain clotting factors, which are proteins that cause blood to coagulate (solidify).

Can blood type A positive eat pasta? ›

- Dairy products such as milk, cheese, or yogurt are known to trigger digestive discomfort for some. Hence, replacing them with alternative options that include almond or rice milk is advisable. - Foods containing gluten such as bread and pasta may pose digestion challenges to folks with blood type A.

Can blood type A eat potatoes? ›

Vegetables are vital to the Type A Diet, providing minerals, enzymes and antioxidants. Type A are very sensitive to the lectins in potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, cabbage, tomatoes and peppers. They aggravate the delicate stomach of Type A.

What sweets can blood type A eat? ›

Blood type A- Desserts
  • 3-Ingredient Almond Butter Cookies - The Big Man's World ® Megan Riley. Blood type A- Desserts. ...
  • Pumpkin Carrot Cake. Megan Riley. Blood type A- Desserts. ...
  • Fresh Blueberry & Strawberry Star Hand Pies. Megan Riley. ...
  • Baked Apple Cider Donuts. Megan Riley. ...
  • Blueberry Dump Cake {Blogger Buddy Recipe} Megan Riley.

What vitamins should blood type A take? ›

In terms of supplements, Vitamin B12 is important especially since the Type A diet is low on animal proteins. As mentioned before, Vitamin C as well as E is important in protecting against stomach cancer and heart disease. Calcium, iron and small amount of zinc are helpful supplements.

Can blood type A eat tuna? ›

Neutral seafood for blood type A is shark, beluga, sea snail, swordfish, pike, tuna fish.

Can blood type A eat cucumbers? ›

(Highly Beneficial): Apricot, Carrot, Celery, Cherry (black), Grapefruit, Pineapple, Prune. (Neutral): Apple, Apple Cider, Cabbage, Cucumber, Cranberry, Grape, Vegetable juice (list of high- lighted vegetables). (AVOID): Orange, Papaya, Tomato.

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