Foods a+ Blood Type Should Not Eat (According to the Blood Type Diet)

October 18, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Dr. Peter D'Adamo, the creator of the popular Blood Type Diet, individuals with an A+ blood type are advised to follow a primarily vegetarian eating plan. This theory is based on the idea that the 'agrarian' A+ blood type has a more sensitive immune and digestive system, making certain foods, like red meat and dairy, harder to process.

Quick Summary

The Blood Type Diet, conceived by Dr. Peter D'Adamo, suggests specific dietary restrictions for A+ individuals, including avoiding most red meat, certain dairy products, and processed items. This regimen is based on the unproven theory that blood type influences digestion and overall health.

Key Points

Red Meat and Pork: According to the Blood Type Diet, A+ types should avoid most red meat and pork due to potentially lower stomach acid levels, which may hinder digestion.
Dairy Products: A+ individuals are advised to limit or avoid most dairy products, like cow's milk and certain cheeses, as they may be hard to digest and cause bloating.
Specific Grains: Wheat flour and products containing durum wheat are often restricted, with other whole grains like rice and quinoa being preferred.
Nightshade Vegetables: Certain vegetables, including tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and cabbage, are on the list of foods to be cautious with or avoid.
Highly Processed Foods and Sugar: In alignment with general healthy eating, the diet advises A+ individuals to avoid processed foods, refined sugars, and excessive preservatives.
Scientific Consensus: No solid scientific evidence supports the blood type diet theory. Health improvements often result from eliminating unhealthy processed foods, which is beneficial for anyone.

The A+ blood type diet, based on the work of Dr. Peter D'Adamo, advises a shift toward a primarily vegetarian or plant-based diet. The theory suggests that A+ individuals may have lower stomach acid levels, which can make digesting and metabolizing animal protein and fat more difficult. While the scientific community widely dismisses the overall blood type diet for its lack of evidence, here is an overview of the foods that proponents suggest an A+ blood type should not eat.

Meats and Poultry to Avoid

For those following the Blood Type Diet, avoiding most red meat and certain poultry is a cornerstone of the eating plan. The rationale is that these proteins are difficult for the 'agrarian' digestive system to break down efficiently.

Beef: All forms, including steaks, ground beef, and roasts.
Pork: This includes bacon, ham, and pork chops.
Lamb and Veal: Both are considered difficult to digest.
Other Game Meats: This includes venison.
Specific Poultry: Goose and duck are generally not recommended.

Dairy Products and Eggs to Limit

Dairy is a major category to avoid, as the diet suggests A+ types have a harder time digesting many dairy products, which can lead to bloating and discomfort. Eggs should also be limited.

Cow's Milk: All types, including whole and skim.
Most Cheeses: This includes American and Blue cheese.
Ice Cream: A combination of dairy and sugar that is not recommended.
Limited Eggs: Eggs are discouraged, though small amounts may be consumed.

Certain Legumes, Nuts, and Grains to Skip

While many legumes are encouraged, some are believed to contain lectins that are not compatible with the A+ blood type. Grains containing certain forms of wheat are also restricted.

Certain Beans: This includes lima, kidney, and garbanzo beans.
Specific Nuts: Brazil nuts, cashews, and pistachios are listed as foods to avoid.
Wheat Products: This includes durum wheat, white flour, and whole-wheat flour.
Refined Grains and Cereals: Items like cream of wheat and shredded wheat are not advised.

Fruits and Vegetables to Omit

Most fruits and vegetables are beneficial, but the diet suggests that some can be difficult for the digestive system to handle or may be less beneficial.

Bananas: Considered difficult to digest by some adherents.
Oranges and Mangoes: Some followers are advised to avoid citrus fruits.
Cabbage and Eggplant: Nightshade vegetables are often on the list of foods to avoid.
Tomatoes: Also included in the restricted nightshade family.
Potatoes and Yams: Starchy vegetables that are sometimes limited.

Processed Foods, Condiments, and Beverages to Restrict

General healthy eating advice, like avoiding processed foods and sugar, is a central theme of the blood type diet. A+ followers are no exception.

Processed Foods: Items high in sugar, artificial ingredients, and preservatives.
Refined Sugars: Sugary drinks and foods.
Condiments: Ketchup, mayonnaise, and most vinegars are to be avoided.
Beverages: Beer and soda.

Comparison Table: Recommended vs. Avoided Foods for A+ Blood Type


Food Category	Recommended Foods	Foods to Avoid
Protein	Tofu, Lentils, Salmon, Mackerel, Chicken (Limited)	Beef, Pork, Lamb, Veal, Game Meats
Dairy	Soy Milk, Goat Milk, occasional Yogurt	Cow's Milk, American Cheese, Ice Cream
Grains	Brown Rice, Quinoa, Oats, Sprouted Bread	White Flour, Durum Wheat, Wheat Bran
Vegetables	Broccoli, Carrots, Leafy Greens, Garlic	Cabbage, Eggplant, Tomatoes, Potatoes
Fruits	Berries, Plums, Figs, Apricots	Bananas, Oranges, Mangoes, Coconuts
Fats	Olive Oil, Flaxseed Oil	Corn Oil, Peanut Oil, Cottonseed Oil

Conclusion: Diet Choices Are Personal

While the Blood Type Diet offers a detailed list of what should an A+ blood type not eat, it is crucial to remember that this eating plan is not backed by mainstream scientific consensus. Many health benefits reported by followers, such as weight loss and improved digestion, are likely due to the diet's focus on whole, unprocessed foods and reduced caloric intake, not the specific blood type guidelines.

Before making any significant dietary changes, especially for a restrictive diet, consulting a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian is highly recommended. They can provide personalized advice based on your individual health needs, nutritional requirements, and proven scientific evidence, rather than a diet based on an unvalidated theory.

For more information on the debate surrounding the blood type diet and nutritional science, consider reading reviews of the scientific evidence available from medical sources.

A Final Note on Individual Response

Every individual's body responds differently to foods. Monitoring your own body's reaction to different food groups and adjusting your diet accordingly is a sensible and evidence-based approach to nutrition, regardless of blood type. Listening to how different foods make you feel can be more informative than following a prescriptive diet based on an unproven premise.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the blood type diet lacks scientific evidence. A 2013 systematic review found no studies validating the purported health benefits of blood type diets. Any health improvements are likely due to following generally healthy eating patterns.

The theory suggests that A+ individuals have lower stomach acid levels, making red meat and animal fats harder to digest compared to other blood types. For this reason, the diet recommends a plant-based approach.

According to the diet, many A+ individuals find cow's milk and most cheeses difficult to digest, though some followers tolerate goat milk, kefir, or occasional yogurt. Dairy alternatives like soy or almond milk are often recommended.

Some fruits like bananas, oranges, and mangoes are on the list of foods to avoid, based on the diet's specific guidelines. Other fruits like berries, plums, and figs are generally encouraged.

The diet recommends avoiding wheat-based products, including white and whole-wheat flour and durum wheat, though some other whole grains like oats, rice, and sprouted bread are acceptable. The preference is for gluten-free grains.

While the diet is not considered harmful, it is restrictive, and it's important to ensure adequate nutrition. Many health professionals advise caution due to the lack of scientific evidence. Consulting a doctor or dietitian is recommended before starting.

The diet for A+ blood types is based on the unproven theory that they inherited an 'agrarian' digestive system. This leads to a recommendation for a mostly vegetarian diet, with restrictions on red meat, certain dairy, and processed foods.