Successful Type O Veg*ns? Please respond.

[PoetryLover]

My DH is O positive. I am A positive. I thrive on the vegan diet. I don't necessarily believe in the blood type diet, but I want to hear positive stories of Type O positive veg*ns. Please tell me how you (or a loved one) thrive on this diet, and whether the diet you follow is strict vegan or vegetarian.

I tend to be thinner. I am nursing and likely have a high metabolism right now. My DH has been gaining a little weight on our diet. We eat late at night a lot, though, and honestly our portions are, um, larger than average. DH DOES eat some meat, 1-3 times a week, along with some eggs and cheese. Lately the veg*n food we've been eating hasn't been the healthiest and we haven't been exercising. We plan to start walking soon. 

DH is being tested to see if he has diabetes, and I'm questioning the diet on his part. I just want to be reassured (or not) that it isn't detrimental to his health. I've had such faith in this diet thus far. I've read research that the vegan diet can actually reverse type 2 diabetes.

Thanks so much! I hope this thread doesn't sound silly.

[Naturopath Mom]

I have O blood type. I have been a vegetarian almost 15 years and a vegan for 8. There have been bumps on the road but for the most part it has been great. I think it is very possible to do good with O blood type, however he may need to alter his diet a bit, depending on his health.

[katroshka]

I'm O positive, have been vegetarian for 15 years and vegan for 11. My kids are both O positive and they have been vegan their whole lives, they are 8 and 9. We all have been very healthy, and I can definitely say that I have been way healthier since I went vegan than I was before, and especially since I was omni. I had severe asthma as a child and was generally very sickly, but am now really healthy. I personally don't subscribe to the whole blood type thing, though I do think everyone has different dietary needs. That being said, I think it is likely that although people may need different levels of nutrients, that they can meet their needs with a plant-based diet.

My older daughter has always been really into fruit and carbs, so I let her eat more of those than I do. My younger daughter has always been more into protein, so I try to provide her more beans, tofu, tempeh, etc. They are both super healthy kids.

On a side note, my whole paternal side of the family is O positive, are omni, and eat fairly well: no junk food, not much fried, they do eat veggies, etc, yet many are experiencing gall bladder problems and some have had them removed. Eating a lot of animal fats is definitely associated with gall bladder issues, so I think they could have definitely benefited from a more veggie type diet.

[catnip]

I've been a vegetarian for 15 years, a vegan for 4. I'm type O-. I am overweight, though less so than I was before going veg. All of my blood chemistry is fine, except for a slightly low serum D. I'll note that my D levels are better than any of my omni relatives, though.

[PikkuMyy]

There is no science behind the blood type diet.

I've been vegan for more than 10 years, and I'm type O-.

[KaylaBeanie]

I'm O+, have been vegetarian for 13 months and eat vegan ~50% of the time. I have no issues, and feel better than ever. I was a healthy omni too, so I know it wasn't just eating better that makes me feel so good. In fact, I wish I had the willpower to go totally vegan because I feel like a superhero whenever I eat vegan. 

[AddysMom]

I am O blood type. I have been so healthy as a vegan. I was in worse shape before when eating the sad diet.

[jldumm]

I also agree that there is no science to the blood type diet, but since you asked... i am A pos and DH is too.  We have very different body types and metabolize differently. I thrive on raw, but he needs cooked foods to digest properly. I cannot stand the thought of eating meat, but he seems to need it a few times a week. Full fat dairy suits me fine, but makes him pretty sluggish.  I guess the point is every type of body may have different needs and the best way is to listen and use moderation.  I know lots of people on different diets that are all really healthy, very high animal trad foods, gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, local omni.  I think your body tells you.

[Ygle]

My husband is type O and vegan for 7 years... he was kinda/sorta mostly eating a vegan diet for 8 years before that and he definitely noticed that he felt much better giving animal products up completely versus the years where he still had the occasional 'cheat' (for the most part it wasn't even what he wanted, but he didn't like passing up free food, family function or business meals, etc.)  All his blood work improved, his seasonal allergies went away and he lost weight. 

[MommyKelly]

I am O- . After going vegan I lost weight and was able to go off my blood pressure meds. My migraines have almost completely disappeared and I sleep better. I felt like cr@p when I ate meat. So that blood type diet has always made me laugh.

[sky_and_lavender]

Another type O (-) long-time vegetarian (25 years)/vegan (6.5) in good health and slender, though not exercising as much as I'd like.

I'd question the assumptions of the blood type diet, too.

[PoetryLover]

Thanks to all who responded. I think I just needed to hear there are healthy Type O vegans and vegetarians. I've since learned the Blood Type Diet Study was a bit fudged. 

[hello.kiddo]

Crazy healthy type O- vegan here too :)