IF YOU’RE TYPE A…

This group—around 40% of the population—tends to have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which contributes to belly-fat storage. As traditional farmers/ gatherers, they do best when getting the bulk of their protein from beans and legumes, since they have problems digesting animal products. Dr. Pryce says, “An Atkins or a ketogenic diet won’t work for someone with blood type A.” What will: enjoying three healthy meals a day based on the foods they react to best:

Beneficial: Soy, snapper, sardines and peanuts are good protein choices; escarole, fava beans, silver dollar mushrooms and prunes boost the microbiome; lemons and blueberries help to thin A’s naturally thicker blood.

Avoid: hard-to-digest proteins like most meat, shellfish, pork and high fat cheeses; vinegar that irritates the stomach; foods that drive bacterial overgrowth like potatoes, kidney beans and lima beans.

Go-to spice: fennel (in recipes or in tea form). This licorice-flavored herb jump-starts the lymph system to flush trapped weight—an effect that can help release 5 pounds of water weight overnight!

Slimming supplement: Since people in this group dodge most animal protein, they run the risk of B-12 deficiency. They also lack a substance produced in the stomach lining that helps with B-12 absorption. Taking 1,000 mcg. of the potent methylocobalamin form of B-12 each day has been shown to cut fatigue in half and boost liver function for rapid weight loss.

Movement: To control fatpacking cortisol, A types thrive with calming activities like yoga and golf.

For a handy resource for every

blood type, check out The Blood Type Diet mobile app, ($3.99 on the App Store), with easy-to-search food lists made for types O, A, B and AB