A lot of good, helpful, and productive ideas get linked to the Blood Type Diet on the Forum, but so do a few over blown and superfluous ideas. Not to mention ideas that are unproven or unaffordable.

Each person who writes brings their own background to the BTD. Because I am healthy, I don't have to take an occasional avoid nearly as seriously as someone battling chronic disease. On the other hand because of my health food background, I probably take more supplements than are really necessary.

Once in a while I read something on the website and inside I think "Oh my! What would someone brand new, trying to get a sense of what the BTD is about, think about that?" And sometimes my answer is that they would be turned off.

I read something this morning that got me started thinking in that vein, and I began to ponder what are the essential elements to the BTD?

Organic is not an essential. Some followers are 100% organic, some or not. I probably buy 25% organic, but organic is not a must for the BTD.

Grass fed/wild caught are not critical to the BTD. I have never bought grass fed meat. I buy hormone free meat and wild caught fish when it is affordable. But my family often eats commercially raised meats.

Fresh tastes better - no question about that. But fresh locally grown produce is not a must. In fact there are studies that show a higher nutrient content to foods that are frozen or canned immediately after they are harvested than produce that spends a lot of time in transport, on shelves, or in the refrigerator before it is eaten. When I shop I visit the produce department first. I keep a freezer and pantry full of beneficial fruits and vegetables to make our menus more balanced and more interesting.

You can freely eat either raw or cooked food on the BTD. There are lots of helpful things you can do nutritionally that may fine tune the BTD for you. Many on the BTD promote a variety of cleanses. There are supplements that may help you overcome deficiencies or disease. But none of those things are required.

The two things that define the Blood Type Diet for me are the food lists and exercise. The BTD is about making an effort to eat more beneficials and fewer avoids. It is also about exercising in a way that is beneficial for your type. If you consistently do those two things, you will see multiple health benefits.