I am type A. I have been eating for my type for a year now. Here is the problem..... I have been taking a diet pill ( I know I know ) and it contains MaHuang and Ephedrine. I want to get off of it now. I am just afraid I will gain weight back. What do I do? I do Yoga every day. I weight lift 3 day's a week and I will be hungry all of the time if I go off of this stimulant. Am I damaging myself even more by continuing to use it? Sarah

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Hi, Sarah ~

The risk of stroke, heart attack, seizure, and numerous lesser ailments from ephedrine and the herb Ma Huang, let alone the several instances of death which have been associated with them, makes me hope you’ll read this page, stand up, grab that bottle and toss it in the trash!! :-) I can imagine all the work you've put into being healthy, and you probably do know all this already, but sometimes it helps to hear it again. ;->

Something I know from my life in a law firm: the number of lawsuits arising out of the life-threatening side-effects of these drugs is so huge, there are whole firms who do nothing except sue over Ma Huang! Believe me, lawyers wouldn’t bother with this kind of practice if they didn’t have plenty of clients (chemically injured people) knocking at the door. However: because of the widespread knowledge that these substances are hazardous, and yard-long package inserts which make the matter clearer than ever, plaintiffs will have a progressively more difficult time proving that they were victims rather than adults making the fully-advised choice to use it for potential benefits despite the risks. So as time goes on, your risk of health problems increases and your potential success in court diminishes. It’s just great in so many ways, eh?

Here’s something else to ponder: the heightened sense of anxiety you’re feeling over gaining back the weight is yet another side-effect of the drug. Does anyone but me think this is brilliant? It’s like the drug creates in its users the fear of quitting it. Wow! Don’t we all wish we marketed a product like that?? (JUST KIDDING!)

OK, so that’s the bad news. Here’s the good: I can’t count how many people lost weight one way and another, and gained it back, and lost it again, and gained it back, yet when they started using their blood type diet they came to a healthy weight and didn’t yo-yo anymore. I think I gained and lost half a ton in total before I started this diet in 1997 (when I was TOO thin). Guess what? 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002… here I am, still at the weight I established a couple of months after starting the diet. Sure, my body mass fluctuates a bit with my exercise schedule and the seasons, but that amounts to maybe a 3-pound variance. The blood type plans are spectacular in their ability to bring you to a balance and support you there.

You’re solidly on the A plan, and you can trust that it will carry you through. You may or may not feel hungrier than usual, but don't be afraid to fill up with salads, steamed vegetables, fruit, beans, anything that's on your OK list. Have some coffee or green tea in the morning if you wake feeling groggy. Surprising tip: a big glass of water can make fatigue vanish (since it's so often related to dehydration). Try it! I would expect a short readjustment period while your body gets rid of the toxins and you get used to living without the stimulants... but it will pass quickly, and you’ll then have the chance to enjoy the benefits of all your efforts to be healthy ~~ and you’ll feel so much calmer and happier once the drugs are gone, to start with.

Best of luck! You can do this, and the sooner you do, the easier it will be. Thank you for writing, Sarah, and please keep in touch!

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I am an A type and live in South Africa, Cape Town. I read the book - "Eat Right For Your Type" and want to follow the diet. I am also a bit overweight. My problem is that I can not find tofu or soya milk and soya joghurt. Also the wheat essence bread is a problem as nobody ever heard of it. Where to find amaranth and buckwheat and recipes to make a bread from that is also a problem. Soy products if you are lucky to find some are also quite expensive and not cheap as indicated in the book. What do I do now as soy should be the main ingredient in my diet and I am fully prepared to eat it as I do not like red meat anyway. Thanks! EURIKA

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Eat Right was written in the U.S. over several years, and first published in 1996. No one knew then that the book would be printed in many languages for worldwide distribution! So I must apologize that some of the statements about food availability and prices may not apply in your area.

Here's a contact I found:

SOUTHERN AFRICAN SOY FOOD ASSOCIATION

SUIDER-AFRIKAANSE SOJAVOEDSELVEREENIGING

The first Chairman of SASA, Mr Pieter Prozesky said "the Association hope to improve the contribution of soyfood to the nutrition of Southern Africa's people, as soyfood is seen as one of the food products of the future".

SECRETARIAT: Agrimark Consultant: Icy Jooste

CONTACT DETAILS:

POSTAL ADDRESS: PoBox 4132, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 9300

Tel: +27 51-404 1874 Fax +27 51-404 1705

E-mail: admin@soyfood.co.za

Web: www.soyfood.co.za

I know they were active at least until early 2001, so although their website is down as I write this, it may be only temporary. In the meantime, try calling or writing. They may have excellent suggestions for local companies making tofu, soy milk, etc. Of course, there are recipes on the Internet for making your own, but you will at least need soybeans to do so. Perhaps the SASFA can direct you to organic sources. Imports from the United States will most certainly not be organic, and it is of vital importance to get staple foods which are non-GMO. I hope they can be of help to you!

Essene bread is made from 100% sprouted grain, salt and water, and can be made at home. Go to the bottom of this page and enter "essene" into the search engine ~ I've posted recipes for essene and Ezekiel breads.

Recipes for all kinds of breads can be found in the thousands on the Internet ~ use your favorite search engine (try alltheweb.com, for instance) and I'm sure you'll find more than you can use!

I am surprised it is difficult to find amaranth where you are, since it is a major food crop of South Africa. Buckwheat is grown there as well.

Here's an idea to get general information on good food sources: The Women's Wholistic Health Directory lists resources and can be contacted directly with questions on where to find products you need. You might write to its publisher in Roggebaai, or get in touch with one of the suppliers listed under "Health Shops and Products." Even a shop devoted to aromatherapy might have good suggestions.

While soy is important in your diet, remember that it is only one element of many. One serving per day is plenty. Grains (again, one serving per day) and beans should be part of a balanced diet along with vegetables and fruits. Load up on local produce, enjoy some fish or chicken now and again, and use your type A exercise to relieve stress and aid weight loss.

Good luck, and thank you for writing!

I am a Type A, long-term vegetarian who enjoys some of the vegetarian "meats" on the market today. However, I am concerned about nitrites, and wondering if vegetarian "bologna" and "hot dogs" contain these? Thank you. Lynda

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Nitrites have been used for decades to preserve/enhance the color of meat in sausages, bacon and cold cuts. Oscar Meyer doesn't want gray bologna! ;-> In some old brands, you can even find saltpeter, for the same reason. Tofu- and grain-based veggie meat substitutes aren't red to begin with -- so, they generally include a vegetable coloring such as beet juice to get that familiar hot dog look.

Check the ingredient list before buying anything in a package, especially complex creations like vegetarian "meat." You shouldn't find any nitrites, but there may be other unpleasant and/or avoid items lurking in them. Reading the label is the only way to be sure you're getting what you want.

Thanks for writing, Lynda!