What cheese can blood type A have? A guide to the D’Adamo diet

The blood type diet, popularized by Dr. Peter D'Adamo, suggests that specific foods interact differently with each blood type. For those with Blood Type A, this raises a crucial question: What cheese can blood type A have that aligns with their predominantly vegetarian-focused recommendations?.

Quick Summary

The Blood Type A diet advises caution with dairy due to potential digestion issues and lectin interactions. Acceptable cheese options include beneficial soy cheese and neutral choices like low-fat mozzarella, feta, goat cheese, and ricotta.

Key Points

• Soy Cheese is Beneficial: Plant-based soy cheese is the most compatible cheese for the Blood Type A diet.

• Cow's Milk Dairy is Often Avoided: The diet suggests avoiding most cow's milk cheeses due to potential digestive issues caused by D-galactosamine.

• Neutral Cheeses Include Low-Fat Options: Low-fat mozzarella and low-fat ricotta are considered neutral and can be consumed in moderation.

• Goat and Feta are Generally Tolerated: Cheeses made from goat's milk or sheep's milk, such as feta and goat cheese, are on the neutral list.

• Listen to Your Body: While the diet provides guidelines, individual tolerance and response to foods can vary.

• Moderation is Key: Even neutral cheeses should be consumed in small amounts, as the diet is primarily vegetarian.

The Blood Type A Diet and Its Dairy Considerations

The blood type diet is based on the theory that each blood type has unique digestive and immune characteristics stemming from its ancestral origins. For Blood Type A individuals, the diet emphasizes a primarily vegetarian lifestyle, drawing connections to agrarian ancestors. This has significant implications for dairy consumption, as many milk products are not recommended.

According to this dietary framework, Type A individuals may have lower levels of stomach acid, making it difficult to properly digest animal proteins and fats. Cow's milk dairy, in particular, is often flagged due to the presence of a sugar called D-galactosamine, which can trigger an immune response in Type A individuals. This reaction is believed to cause inflammation and increased mucus production. Consequently, followers are encouraged to either avoid or significantly limit most cow's milk products, while exploring acceptable alternatives like certain fermented options or plant-based cheeses.

Beneficial and Neutral Cheese Choices for Type A

While many dairy products are on the 'avoid' list, some cheeses are considered compatible with the Type A diet. These options are either dairy-free or derived from non-cow sources, which are thought to be better tolerated.

Beneficial Options:

• Soy Cheese: Considered highly beneficial, soy cheese is a plant-based alternative that aligns perfectly with the Type A diet's emphasis on vegetable protein. It is a versatile substitute for traditional cheese in many dishes.

Neutral Options:

• Farmer Cheese: A mild, unripened cow's milk cheese, farmer cheese is listed as a neutral option, meaning it can be consumed in moderation without significant negative effects.
• Feta Cheese: Typically made from a mix of sheep's and goat's milk, feta cheese is a neutral choice. Its tangy flavor adds character to salads and other dishes.
• Goat Cheese: Both fresh and aged goat cheese are considered neutral. Since they come from goat's milk, which is often better tolerated than cow's milk, they are a valuable addition for Type A followers.
• Low-Fat Mozzarella: Unlike full-fat mozzarella, the low-fat version is listed as neutral. This allows for its occasional use in meals like pizza or pasta dishes.
• Low-Fat Ricotta: Another neutral, low-fat option, ricotta can be used in moderate amounts for lasagna or other recipes.
• String Cheese: As a neutral, low-fat snack, string cheese is a convenient option for Type A individuals.

Cheeses to Avoid for Type A

For those adhering strictly to the blood type diet, a wide array of popular cheeses should be avoided. These are primarily derived from cow's milk and are linked to digestive distress or other health concerns specific to the Type A blood profile.

Avoid List:

• American Cheese: Highly processed and made from cow's milk.
• Blue Cheese: Contains mold and is made from cow's milk.
• Brie and Camembert: Soft, mold-ripened cow's milk cheeses.
• Cheddar, Colby, and Gouda: Hard, aged cow's milk cheeses.
• Cottage Cheese: Despite being low-fat, it's typically made from cow's milk and is explicitly listed as an 'avoid'.
• Cream Cheese and Neufchatel: High-fat, soft cow's milk cheeses.
• Edam, Emmenthal, Gruyere, Swiss: Various cow's milk cheeses to avoid.
• Monterey Jack and Provolone: Common cow's milk cheeses.
• Parmesan: A hard, cow's milk cheese often used in Italian cooking.
• Whole Milk Products: The diet advises against anything made with whole milk, including certain cheeses.

Comparison of Cheese Types for the Blood Type A Diet

Cheese Type	Origin	Suitability for Type A	Notes
Soy Cheese	Plant-based (Soy)	Beneficial	Excellent source of vegetable protein; highly compatible.
Low-Fat Mozzarella	Cow's Milk	Neutral (Low-fat only)	Permissible in moderation; must be low-fat.
Feta Cheese	Goat/Sheep Milk	Neutral	Often tolerated better than cow's milk cheese; can be used in moderation.
Goat Cheese	Goat's Milk	Neutral	Good substitute for cow's milk cheeses; better-digested.
Ricotta (Low-Fat)	Cow's Milk	Neutral (Low-fat only)	Must be low-fat; consume sparingly.
Cheddar	Cow's Milk	Avoid	High-fat, hard cow's milk cheese.
Blue Cheese	Cow's Milk	Avoid	Fermented cow's milk cheese; not recommended.
Cottage Cheese	Cow's Milk	Avoid	Made from cow's milk; listed as an 'avoid'.

Integrating Approved Cheeses into a Type A Diet

For those following the Blood Type A diet, incorporating neutral and beneficial cheeses can be a delicious way to add flavor and texture to meals. Creativity with recipes is key to maintaining diet compliance without feeling deprived.

Here are some ideas for using the recommended cheeses:

• Feta: Crumbled over a spinach salad with tomatoes and cucumbers for a Mediterranean touch.
• Low-Fat Mozzarella: Sliced thinly and added to a vegetable stir-fry or melted on a veggie burger made with soy patties.
• Goat Cheese: Spread on sprouted whole-grain crackers or crumbled into a lentil soup for a creamy finish.
• Soy Cheese: Use it to top homemade pizzas with tomato-free sauce and lots of vegetables, or shred it for use in a bean-based burrito.

While the diet encourages a primarily vegetarian approach, these approved cheeses offer flexibility. The emphasis remains on quality, natural, and unprocessed ingredients. As always, listening to your body's individual response to any food is a vital part of finding a sustainable and healthy eating pattern.

Conclusion: Navigating Cheese on the Blood Type A Diet

Adhering to the blood type A diet means being mindful of dairy choices. The theory suggests a need for caution with most cow's milk products, but it doesn't necessitate a complete elimination of all cheeses. By focusing on the beneficial soy cheese and neutral options like low-fat mozzarella, feta, goat cheese, and low-fat ricotta, followers can still enjoy cheese in moderation.

This approach aligns with the diet's core principle of eating fresh, unprocessed foods that are believed to be best suited for one's ancestral digestive system. While scientific consensus on the blood type diet is lacking, following its guidelines provides a structured framework for making conscious dietary decisions, including which cheeses can blood type A have without compromising their dietary goals.

To explore the full range of food recommendations for the Blood Type A diet, consider consulting the original work of Dr. Peter D'Adamo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are cow's milk cheeses generally discouraged for Type A?

Cow's milk cheeses are often discouraged for Type A individuals because the diet suggests they have lower stomach acid and a tendency to react negatively to the D-galactosamine sugar found in cow's milk, leading to digestive issues and mucus production.

Is mozzarella really okay for Blood Type A?

Yes, but only the low-fat version. Low-fat mozzarella is listed as a neutral food for Type A, meaning it can be consumed in moderation, while other types of mozzarella or high-fat cow's milk cheeses should be avoided.

What is soy cheese and how is it used?

Soy cheese is a plant-based, dairy-free cheese alternative made from soy. It is listed as a highly beneficial food for Blood Type A and can be used as a direct substitute for traditional cheese in recipes.

Can Blood Type A have feta cheese?

Yes, feta cheese is listed as a neutral food for Blood Type A. It is typically made from sheep's or goat's milk, which is often better tolerated than cow's milk dairy according to the diet.

Are goat cheese and goat milk acceptable?

Both goat cheese and goat milk are considered neutral options for Blood Type A individuals. They serve as a suitable alternative to cow's milk products, which are typically on the 'avoid' list.

Are all dairy products off-limits for Type A?

No, not all dairy products are off-limits. While most cow's milk products are discouraged, certain fermented and low-fat dairy options like yogurt, kefir, low-fat ricotta, and specific cheeses are considered neutral or beneficial.

Can Type A consume eggs and other dairy?

The diet suggests that Type A individuals can tolerate small amounts of fermented dairy but should avoid products from whole dairy. Eggs are also limited to occasional consumption.