Chicken is often touted as a healthy lean protein source. However according to the blood type diet, chicken may not be the best option for individuals with blood type B. In this article, we’ll explore why chicken can be problematic for this blood group and look at better meat alternatives.
The blood type diet was popularized in the 1990s by Dr. Peter D’Adamo. His book, Eat Right 4 Your Type, claims that your blood type determines how you respond to different foods.
According to D’Adamo, your blood type is linked to your digestive system and immune function. Therefore, some foods react positively or negatively with your blood type.
The diet categorizes foods as beneficial, neutral or avoid for each blood type:
- Blood Type O: High-protein diet, avoid wheat and dairy
- Blood Type A: Plant-based diet, avoid meat and dairy
- Blood Type B: Balanced omnivore diet, avoid chicken, corn, wheat, buckwheat and tomatoes
- Blood Type AB: Mixed diet, avoid alcohol, caffeine and smoked meats
While the blood type diet is not scientifically proven, it does promote healthy eating by limiting processed foods.
Why Chicken is Problematic for Blood Type B
On the blood type diet, chicken is listed as an avoid for blood type B.
This is because chicken contains a lectin that can interact negatively with the B antigen in the blood. Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins found in many plant and animal foods.
According to D’Adamo, when someone with type B blood eats chicken, the lectin binds to their B antigen. This triggers an immune response that causes thickened blood and potential blood clots.
Therefore, he recommends that type B’s limit or avoid chicken to maintain optimal health and prevent immune disorders
Signs that Chicken is an Issue
Not everyone with type B blood will react poorly to chicken. However, some signs that chicken is problematic can include:
- Increased inflammation or autoimmune flares
- Digestive issues like bloating, gas or diarrhea after eating chicken
- Development of food sensitivities or allergies to chicken over time
- Fatigue, brain fog or mild flu-like symptoms after consuming chicken
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight with chicken in the diet
Of course, these signs could also be signs of other health problems. But if you keep having reactions after eating chicken, you might want to temporarily cut back on this meat.
Better Meat Choices for Blood Type B
The blood type B diet recommends consuming moderate amounts of high-quality meats like grass-fed beef, lamb and wild game.
Here are some healthy meat alternatives to chicken:
Grass-Fed Beef: An excellent source of iron, zinc and B vitamins. Choose lean cuts like sirloin or round.
Lamb: Provides vitamin B12, niacin and selenium. Stick to lean lamb like chops or leg.
Venison is lower in calories and fat than beef and has more iron than beef. Try venison steaks or ground venison.
Bison: Extremely lean with a high protein to fat ratio. Use ground bison for burgers or chili.
Pork: Opt for lean cuts like pork tenderloin or Canadian bacon. Avoid processed pork products.
Turkey: It has tryptophan, which can naturally make you feel better. Pick white meat over dark.
Fish: Wild caught salmon, halibut, trout and snapper are great choices. Limit higher mercury fish like tuna.
Shellfish: Should be minimized for type B’s as they also contain lectins. Opt for small portions of shrimp or crab instead.
Tips for Preparing Meat for Blood Type B
Here are some preparation tips to make meat as healthy as possible for type B’s:
- Choose grass-fed, organic and antibiotic-free meat whenever possible.
- Trim off any visible fat or skin before cooking to reduce saturated fat intake.
- Limit processed meat products like bacon, sausage, deli meats and hot dogs.
- Marinate meats in oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs and spices to add flavor. Avoid sugary sauces and marinades.
- Stir fry, bake, roast, broil or grill meat to avoid adding extra fat.
- Portion meat into 4-6 oz servings and incorporate with vegetables or side salads.
- Avoid overcooking meat to prevent formation of carcinogens.
- Balance meat with fiber-rich plant foods to manage blood sugar levels.
Sample Meals without Chicken for Blood Type B
Here are some sample meals that exclude chicken but still align with blood type B recommendations:
Breakfast: Smoked salmon and veggie omelet with avocado toast
Lunch: Leftover grilled sirloin steak salad with mixed greens, cucumber, tomato and balsamic dressing
Dinner: Lamb kofta kebabs with sauteed spinach, quinoa pilaf and Greek yogurt dipping sauce
Snacks: Sliced turkey roll-ups with lettuce, pickle and mustard. Hummus with red bell pepper strips.
Dessert: Mixed berry compote topped with whipped coconut cream
The Bottom Line
The idea behind D’Adamo is that people with type B blood might not want to eat chicken. This is because it has lectins in it that can make type B cells’ immune systems react.
However, the blood type diet is considered pseudoscience and lacks strong clinical evidence. Speak to your doctor before eliminating any major food groups.
That said, paying attention to how your body reacts to chicken can help determine if you should limit this poultry. Focus on incorporating alternative lean meats, fish, legumes, nuts, seeds and plenty of vegetables to meet your protein needs.
While the blood type diet is controversial, it does provide a framework to make healthier food choices. But be sure to tweak any recommendations to fit your individual nutritional requirements and health status.
Pros and Cons of the Blood Type Diet
Every diet, including the Blood Type Diet, has pros and cons. Depending on your lifestyle and food preferences, some ways of eating may suit you more than others.
Benefits of the Blood Type Diet
According to DâAdamo, proteins in certain foods called lectins can bind to your blood type antigen and make your blood stick together. This results in fatigue, headaches, digestive issues, and skin problems, he says. Eating foods that your body responds well to may help with digestion, energy, and some long-term conditions like heartburn.
DâAdamo also claims that each blood type is at a higher risk for some diseases. People with type O blood, for example, may be more likely to get stomach ulcers, while heart disease and diabetes are more common in people with type A blood. He says that if you pick a diet that works best for your blood type, you might be able to drop your risk of getting some diseases.
Risks of the Blood Type Diet
Thereâs no scientific evidence to support the benefits of the Blood Type Diet. In 2013, researchers studied all of the existing medical literature on the subject (1,415 references in total). They found no studies showing that the Blood Type Diet works. DâAdamoâs idea about ancestral blood types has also been questioned. Other researchers suggest that type AB may have actually been the first ever blood group, not O.
Based on the person’s blood type, another study released in 2021 looked at whether a plant-based diet could help people with heart disease. No connection was found between blood types and their health outcomes.
Itâs worth noting that most of the foods suggested for the Blood Type Diet are healthy, but if you try the Type B diet, you should watch your red meat and dairy intake. As these foods are higher in saturated fat, having too much of either may raise your chances of heart disease.
Does it allow for restrictions or preferences?
Because the Blood Type Diet suggests very specific types of food, it doesnât allow much for personal tastes. For example, if youre a big fan of meat, you wonât be very happy on the type A diet, which is mostly vegetarian. If youâre lactose intolerant, you may have a hard time with the B blood type diet, which recommends dairy. There are even suggestions about the types of spices and condiments you can use.
If youâre looking for a gluten-free diet, you should know that the Blood Type Diet doesnât ban gluten. You may be able to make gluten-free choices if you read food labels carefully.
Level of effort: highÂ
You may need to limit your food choices. Your blood type will decide your shopping list and your choices when eating out. If you live with people who have different blood types, meal planning may be hard. Special packaged foods, however, arenât required for this diet.
What else you should know
Cost. DâAdamo recommends a lot of specialty and organic foods (such as soy milk and carob chip cookies), which can be pricey. Vitamins and herbal supplements are also part of the diet.
Support. Beyond DâAdamoâs book and website, you follow the Blood Type Diet on your own.
Exercise. The Blood Type Diet suggests exercises based on your blood type. For instance, it suggests yoga or tai chi for blood type A, and vigorous aerobic exercises such as jogging or biking for up to an hour a day for type O. Type B, he says, should focus on group exercises, such as tennis, martial arts, or golf, while a mix of calming and aerobic exercise is best for AB types.
Blood Type Diet Review: What Our Expert Says
Does the Blood Type Diet work?
Though the Blood Type Diet has been around for a while, Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian nutritionist and former director of nutrition at WebMD, explains that the theory behind the diet has been debunked. âItâs somewhat of a gimmicky way to try to get people to eat healthier. There is absolutely no science to substantiate that your blood type dictates the kind of diet that you should be on,â she says.
Zelman notes that elements of the Blood Type Diet do work since itâs mostly a healthy, plant-forward diet. She cites a 2014 study that found adults eating the type A diet showed improved health markers, but this occurred in everyone, not just those with type A blood type.
The diet recommends high-quality food, lots of fruits and vegetables, fiber, vitamins and minerals, lean meats, and foods low in saturated fat. And, by cutting calories and getting rid of added sugar, youâre likely to lose weight.
Still, if you follow the guidelines for just your blood type, it may not be the most useful option for you.
Is the Blood Type Diet good for certain conditions?
âThe best diet is the one that you can stick with, and the best diet is the one thatâs customized for you,â Zelman says. âAnd I wouldnât call blood typing customized because it doesnât really address other conditions.â
Depending on your blood type, the diet outlined may not support treatment for heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol levels. For example, the type B diet has more saturated fat than the other types, which can put you at risk for heart disease. The fruits and vegetables that are in other parts of the diet plan are lower in saturated fat, however.
âIf you have heart disease or if you have diabetes, this diet could probably be modified, without eliminating some of the foods [DâAdamo] does, to improve your health. But it has nothing to do with your blood type,â she says.
Zelman recommends that you check with your doctor or see a registered dietitian nutritionist before starting a diet such as the Blood Type Diet.
Are there concerns about the recommended food guidelines in the Blood Type Diet?
Zelman doesnât find the foods listed for blood types O, A, B, and AB concerning, but she does see issues with what people are told to stop eating. For example, she says, âThereâs really no sense in getting rid of eggplant.â
Due to DâAdamoâs theory on lectins in certain foods causing health issues, many grocery list items arenât included in the Blood Type Diet.
âFoods like beans and whole grains that contain lectins — they have good-for-you nutrients, and they shouldnât be eliminated,â Zelman says.
She also explains that while eating less processed foods can be good for your health, not all processed foods are bad. Milk and wheat, for example, need to be processed for safety reasons and to make them easier to digest.
Finally, Zelman notes that itâs OK if you canât always buy the organic versions of food recommended by the Blood Type Diet, which can be costly. âItâs much more important to eat more fruits and vegetables than to worry about whether theyâre organic or not,â she says.
Can kids try the Blood Type Diet?
If your family tries the Blood Type Diet, it might be a challenge to meet everyoneâs nutritional needs, especially if you strictly follow it. Zelman gives the example of avoiding dairy (part of the type O and A diets), which could be harmful to kids.
âDairy is so critically important to growth and development for kids to get enough calcium and vitamin D,â she says.
The general idea of the diet â fewer processed foods, less added sugars, and eating lean meats and lots of fruits and vegetables â are all good for everyoneâs overall health, Zelman says. But once you start customizing the diet for your family, itâs not really the Blood Type Diet anymore.
âTheres no problem in modifying this diet to meet your familyâs needs. But when I say modifying it, youâre essentially then following a healthy meal plan thats advocated by the American Heart Association, and by the Dietary Guidelines,â she says.
Blood Type Diet Legit? #bloodtypediet #doctor
FAQ
Can blood type B eat chicken?
… to love a vegetarian diet, while Type B’s must avoid specific foods such as corn, wheat, buckwheat, lentils, tomatoes, peanuts, sesame seeds, and chicken.
What blood type is not supposed to eat chicken?
People with type B blood type can eat a wide range of foods. These include meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and grains. However, they should avoid chicken and corn. Type AB: It is known as the “modern” blood type.
What ethnicity has type B blood?
Characteristic | O-positive | B-positive |
---|---|---|
Caucasian | 37% | 9% |
African American | 47% | 18% |
Asian | 39% | 25% |
Latino-American | 53% | 9% |
Is chicken bad for your blood?
Lean protein Lean sources of protein are lower in calories than fattier sources but are still filling. This can help you to manage your weight, which is helpful in lowering blood pressure. Tip: Choose chicken, turkey, fish, eggs and beans instead of red and processed meats.