Diet for B Negative Blood Type

People who follow the Blood Type Diet, developed by naturopath Peter J. D'Adamo, believe you can lose weight, become more energetic and enhance your health by eating foods specified for your particular blood type. If you belong to the B blood group, D'Adamo claims you are directly descended from ancient steppe dwellers in Mongolia. Whether you have B negative or B positive blood -- according to D'Adamo, the Rh factor that determines negative or positive blood is not affected by food -- D'Adamo says your blood will be incompatible with the lectin compounds in foods that your ancestors did not eat, resulting in poor health and weight gain. Health professionals, however, contend there is no scientific evidence to support the Blood Type Diet and that it may potentially cause nutritional deficiencies. Do not make significant changes to your eating habits without first speaking to your doctor.

D'Adamo recommends people who belong to the B negative blood group get their protein from meats like mutton, venison, goat, lamb and rabbit; deep ocean fish like salmon, sea trout, cod, halibut and mackerel; dairy products like skim or 2 percent milk, yogurt, cottage cheese and mozzarella cheese; and beans, especially kidney, navy or lima beans. People with type B blood can eat foods like beef, turkey, tuna, cheddar and Parmesan cheese and cannellini beans occasionally, but should not eat any nuts, lentils, blue cheese, pork products, shellfish or chicken. Adherents to the Blood Type Diet claim chicken meat contains a lectin that attacks the bloodstream and can cause type B individuals to have strokes or develop immune system disorders.

Blood type B individuals should avoid all wheat, corn, barley, bulghur, rye and buckwheat products because, according to D'Adamo, these foods contain lectins that will trigger insulin problems, blood disorders, excessive fatigue and weight gain. People belonging to the B negative blood group should stick with rice, oatmeal, oat bran or millet and using rice or oat flour for baking and cooking. Wasa, Ezekiel, Essene and brown rice breads are also good choices. Once or twice weekly, type B people may eat small servings of quinoa or products containing semolina or pumpernickel.

The Blood Type Diet guidelines indicate the best vegetables for B negative people include dark leafy greens like kale, broccoli, collard greens and mustard greens; beets; sweet potatoes; carrots and cauliflower. Pineapples, cranberries, all types of grapes, plums and papaya are considered the most beneficial fruits. D'Adamo advises if you belong to the type B blood group, you should especially avoid tomatoes, corn, avocados, artichokes, coconut, pomegranates and persimmons. Tomatoes supposedly contain lectins that will cause stomach problems for type B people.

Ginger, curry, cayenne and parsley are the best spices and seasonings for people with B negative blood, while pepper, ketchup, allspice, cinnamon and corn syrup are among the worst. Type B people are recommended to drink herbal tea -- particularly green tea -- and fresh juice prepared from their most beneficial fruits and vegetables. Alcohol is acceptable up to two times weekly, along with condiments like mustard, mayonnaise, jams and jellies. When cooking, people with type B blood should use primarily olive oil and avoid corn, safflower, sunflower, canola and peanut oil.