You Eat What You Are

I know the saying is, you are what you eat, but I recently heard

something suggesting the opposite is also true.

Sandy has been reading this book that explains each person,

depending on their blood type, should eat certain kinds of food

in order to feel their best. (Some of you may have already read it-
I think it has been around for awhile.) She said it described her

to a tee. Then, she sent me a photocopy of a chart that kind of

sums up the blood type-diet combos they suggest based on
their findings.

David and I instantly identified with what it said about us. It

described the preferences we each have toward food and exercise

perfectly. It's really interesting to me that our blood type can
drive that -- I just always chalked it up to taste buds or personal

preference. It turns out that certain foods make different people

feel better and work better with the inherent nature systems.
Now we know there's a biological reason for him wanting a fillet

or a chicken breast and me wanting black bean soup or Fattoush.

I've told David many times I prefer exercises that "center me" or
"work on my core", that those movements make me feel wonderful,

and that's exactly what this book suggests for my blood type! How

crazy is that? It says living wrong for your blood type can exacerbate

physical problems your body is prone to, and they recommend certain
supplements each blood type should consider taking, as well.

I thought this was interesting and worth sharing with my adult friends,

but I also thought it would be a good thing for parents to know. Your little

ones might not be able to articulate that their bodies feel better after eating

certain things -- especially the littler ones who aren't talking yet.
After watching Aaron's kids, I guarantee they have different blood types

from one another. We sat down to breakfast one time and they were really

hungry, so they kind of dove into their food -- one went straight for the eggs

and the other for pancakes. We both noticed it and I remember Aaron saying

that their 'bodies need different things'. They like different physical activities,

too. Aidan is more into sports like swimming and golf while Catherine is more

physically intense. A lot of that is personality and other things besides the

biological, but it appears the physical might be part of what determines that.

I don't have kids, but I think I would want to know about this if I did so I

could create opportunities for them to do and eat according to what they're

probably drawn to.

Okay, without further adue...

The book is entitled, 4 Blood Types, 4 Diets
Eat Right For Your Type; The Individualized
Diet Solution to Staying Healthy, Living Longer
& Achieving Your Ideal Weight

BLOOD TYPE of O
The Hunter - strong, self-reliant, leader

Strengths: Hardy digestive tract, strong immune
system, natural defense against infections, system
designed for efficient metabolism
and preservation of nutrients

Weaknesses: Intolerant to new dietary environment
conditions, immune system can be overactive and
attack itself

Medical Risks: Blood clotting disorders, inflammatory
diseases like arthritis, low thyroid production, ulcers,
allergies

Diet Profile: High protein meat eaters with a focus
on meat, fish, vegetables, fruit. Should limit amounts
of grains, beans, legumes.

Weight-Loss Keys: Avoid wheat, corn, kidney/navy
beans, lentils, cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower,
mustard greens. Aids include kelp, seafood, salt, liver,
red meat, kale, spinach, broccoli.

Supplements: Vitamins B & K, calcium, iodine,
licorice, kelp

Exercise Regimen: Intense physical exercise like
aerobics, running, martial arts, contact sports

BLOOD TYPE of B
The Nomad - balanced, flexible, creative

Strengths: Strong immune system, versatile
adaptation to dietary and environmental changes,
balanced nervous system

Weaknesses: No natural weaknesses but imbalance
causes tendency toward autoimmune breakdowns
and rare viruses

Medical Risks: Type 1 diabetes, chronic fatigue
syndrome, auto immune disorders -- Lou Gehrig's,
lupus, multiple sclerosis

Diet Profile: Balanced omnivore. Meat (no chicken),
dairy, grains, beans,legumes, vegetables, fruit

Weight-Loss Keys: Avoid corn, lentils, peanuts,
sesame seeds, buckwheat, and wheat. Aids include
greens, eggs, venison, liver, licorice, tea

Supplements: Magnesium, licorice, ginko, lecithin

Exercise Regimen: Moderate physical with mental
balance -- hiking, cycling, tennis, swimming

BLOOD TYPE of A
The Cultivator - settled, cooperative, orderly

Strengths: Adapts well to dietary and environmental
changes, immune system preserves and metabolizes
nutrients more easily

Weaknesses: Sensitive digestive tract, vulnerable
immune system, open to microbial invasion

Medical Risks: Heart disease, cancer, anemia, liver
and gallbladder disorders, type 1 diabetes

Diet Profile: Vegetarian. Vegetables, tofu, seafood,
grains, beans, legumes, fruit

Weight-Loss Keys: Avoid meat, dairy, kidney
beans, lima beans, wheat. Aids include vegetable
oil, soy foods, vegetables, pineapple

Supplements: Vitamin B-12, C & E, folic acid,
hawthorn, echinacea, quercitin, milk thistle

Exercise Regimen: Calming, centering exercisers --
yoga, Tai chi

BLOOD TYPE of AB
The Enigma - rare, charismatic, mysterious

Strengths: Designed for modern conditions,
highly tolerant immune system, combines
benefits of Type A and Type B

Weaknesses: Sensitive digestive tract, tendency
for over-tolerant immune system, allowing microbial
invasion, reacts negatively to A-like and B-like
conditions

Medical Risks: Heart disease, cancer, anemia

Diet Profile: Mixed diet in moderation. Meat,
seafood, dairy, tofu, beans, legumes, vegetables,
fruit

Weight-Loss Keys: Avoid red meat, kidney
beans, lima beans, seeds, corn, buckwheat.
Aids include tofu, seafood, dairy, greens, kelp,
pineapple

Supplements: Vitamin C, hawthorn, echinacea,
valerian, quercitin, milk thistle

Exercise Regimen: Calming, centering exercises --
yoga, Tai chi Combined with moderate, physical --
hiking, cycling, tennis

Incidentally, my blood type is A and David's is O.
We're almost exactly opposite, which makes it hard
to eat and workout together. I noticed seafood is
suggested for both of us. We do some shrimp, salmon
and crab at home, but that's been about it. So, I'm
going to work on finding new seafood dinner ideas --
its just something I've never really practiced cooking.
If you have any yummy recipe suggestions, feel
free to pass them along.

Best wishes to all of you for happy and healthy
living from Dr. Sam. : ) And thanks, mom, for
sharing this with us. Good stuff!