RECIPES LOADING...

Blood Type A thrives on an agrarian diet, meaning a plant-based, whole-food approach is best. Type A individuals have a sensitive digestive tract and a tolerant immune system, adapting well to settled dietary conditions. Unlike Type O, which relies on a high-protein, meat-heavy diet, Type A thrives on vegetables, grains, legumes, and seafood while avoiding red meat and limiting poultry.  

My husband is Blood Type A, and I’m Type O—which means our ideal diets are completely opposite! But we make it work in our kitchen, respecting and supporting each other’s unique nutritional needs.  

Key Guidelines for Blood Type A

• Plant-based, agrarian diet—vegetables, grains, tofu, beans, legumes 

• Limited animal protein—seafood is best, poultry in small amounts 

• Weight-loss key foods—vegetable oils, soy foods, vegetables, pineapple 

• Supplements—Vitamin B12, folic acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, hawthorn, echinacea, quercetin, milk thistle 

• Exercise—Calming activities like yoga and tai chi help manage stress best  

Where & How We Shop for My Husband’s Type A Diet 

Plant-Based Proteins  

Since Type A doesn’t thrive on red meat (which is essential for my Type O diet), my husband can get his protein from:  

• Tofu & Tempeh—Excellent soy-based alternatives to meat (My husband doesn't exactly care for this option being raised as a meat and potatoes kinda guy so he sticks with fish and chicken)
• Beans & Legumes—A large variety, including pinto beans, black beans, adzuki beans, green beans, and lentils
• Peanuts—A great protein source that Type A tolerates well  

Check out my favorite book Eat Right 4 Your Type for the full list of beneficial proteins!  

Seafood & Poultry

Unlike me, my husband should eat very little poultry and instead rely on seafood for his protein needs.  

• Best seafood for Type A—Salmon, cod, mackerel, sardines (4-6 oz per serving)
• Poultry (limited)—Lean, pasture-raised chicken (4-6 oz per serving, only occasionally)  

Eggs & Dairy Alternatives

Type A doesn’t digest dairy well, so we stock up on:

• Almond milk 
• Occasional eggs (not daily, but tolerated in small amounts)  

Grains & Breads

Type A thrives on grains, while Type O does better avoiding them. For my husband, I buy:

• Oatmeal—A staple breakfast item
• Sprouted wheat bread—A better alternative to traditional wheat or we make homemade bread.
• Brown rice, quinoa, and amaranth—Nutrient-dense whole grains 

Blood Type O (like me) avoids wheat, while Type A can tolerate it in the right forms! 

Oils, Nuts & Seeds 

• Olive oil & vegetable oils—Great for cooking and dressings

Nuts & seeds my husband eats regularly:

• Peanuts 

• Almonds 

• Flaxseeds 

• Pumpkin seeds  

Fruits & Vegetables

A plant-based diet means lots of fresh produce! My husband’s go-to highly beneficial foods:

• Leafy greens—Spinach, kale, collard greens
• Cruciferous veggies—Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts
• Fruits—Pineapple (highly beneficial!), berries, plums, apples  

For Type O, cauliflower & Brussels sprouts are avoided, but for Type A, they’re beneficial! 

Beans & Legumes

My husband enjoys a wide variety of beans and legumes, which are essential for his diet but mostly avoided in mine. He regularly eats:

• Lentils, pinto beans, green beans, black beans, adzuki beans, black-eyed peas  

A Tale of Two Opposite Diets—And Making It Work 

Being married to someone with the exact opposite dietary needs could be challenging, but we make it work! We meal plan and grocery shop together, ensuring we both have the right foods for our blood types. While my plate might have grass-fed steak and broccoli, my husband’s might have fish and quinoa—and that’s okay!  

I’ll be sharing more about how we balance our Type A & Type O diets in the same kitchen, along with shopping lists, meal plans, and recipes that fit both of our needs.  If you’re interested in learning more, I highly recommend reading Eat Right for Your Type—it’s been life-changing for both of us!  

Tap the link to get your copy (yes, I earn a small percentage, but I only recommend books I believe in!)