Sorry to be blogless for so long, I had midterms which lasted pretty much up until finals and therefore have spent the last 6 weeks or so studying, eating, sleeping, and working! I am now off school for the summer and my time is more flexible, so I hope to write blogs more often.

I decided before even knowing my genotype that I would give it a proper try, for at least three months doing my best to cut out all black dot toxin foods and strongly emphasize diamond superfoods. As of, literally, January 1st until the end of March I almost completely avoided Gatherer toxins (black dot or otherwise) and incorporated a whole bunch of new superfoods.

So what is my take on my genotype diet so far? Honestly, I can’t say that during the first three months I felt different than following the blood type diet. I did lose weight (about 5 pounds) but I had put on a few pounds leading up to Christmas, so I think this would have happened if I had been following the blood type diet anyway.

There are so many things I really like about the Gatherer diet. I like that the food categories and groups are more flexible than the blood type diet, particularly in the grains department. This has led me to use more rice and quinoa, which I have really enjoyed. As an O-nonnie, grains were very restricted! Dairy has become much more flexible too, but I just have no desire for dairy so I haven’t yet tried any of my superfoods in that category. I want to eventually make a ricotta cheesecake (because cheesecake is really the only dairy I miss!), but I think I should probably ease into the dairy rather than gorge to start… I like a lot of the superfoods, particularly fennel, celery, pineapple, raspberries, green beans, cinnamon, eggs, bison, turkey, and chocolate! It has been really fun and stimulating to try different foods that I haven’t had in awhile.

The only downside has been that I have found it challenging to eat as many vegetable servings as I was on the blood type diet. Many of my favourite, staple vegetables became black dots: kale, broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes. I tried a lot of new veggies but I still missed my favourites. I recently added back my favourites a few days per week and will observe how I feel. I have also started eating chicken again (probably too much) and will see how I feel about this too. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to totally switch from chicken to turkey since eating out would become much harder.

I have come to realize that I really do identify with the Gatherer genotype. I assumed I was a Hunter initially because of body type, but I really don’t have the kind of inflammation issues that typify that type. I am an intense personality, but I think I am far steadier and have more endurance than a Hunter might. I do identify with the Gatherer need for regular activity, abundant nutrients, and blood sugar control.

I also think I am pretty sensitive to caffeine and have some other things in common with Explorer, so I am trying out some Explorer ideas as well. I have cut caffeine out of my diet entirely for the past six weeks and feel great. More about this in another blog.