Got a quick question on my mind:

It seems like my body craves more protein at mealtimes than the recommended 2 -5 oz. for women.  Like tonight, I had tuna in a can, and I ate a whole can (6.75 oz), and a little from another can!!!!  I also had half an avocado, carrot stick, a little veggie soup, and a romaine salad with sliced carrots in it.  But, I just wasn't full until I ate all the tuna.  Now I feel full and satisfied, but not too full.  Just right and not craving anything else.  

This tends to be what I crave.  If I don't eat quite a bit of protein at mealtime, I keep getting hungry.  I eat lots of veggies, but they don't fill me up!  So, is too much protein a problem for my body somehow?  I have been thinking it is, so I have been really watching portions sizes, but tonight I just indulged in more...and it felt so good!!  It feels right to me somehow, but I don't know why...

Any ideas?

There are several possible reasons...  First, is Individuality - you may need more than the recommended.

The Non-secretors generally need more protein than Secretors.

I find somewhat the same thing, although I don't know my secretor status...  I sometimes have several different proteins at one time...  I am healing quite a bit and just attribute it to the rebuilding that my body is doing.  Since it feels good (and is supposed to be good for me), I'm not going to stop...

eating protein will always be far better for you, than indulging in any other type of craving.

I eat HB and B foods until I'm full.  And, I am losing weight "hand over fist."  

Myra.

I'm sorry.  What are HB and B?  hamburger and bison maybe?  I'm just not sure!  Thanks!

It just clicked, highly beneficial and beneficial, right!  

Quoted from Tina

It just clicked, highly beneficial and beneficial, right!  

Right!  
Tina, I need a lot of meat too. I feel better when I do. Type O as far as I can tell, had been thought of as more of a high protein diet until someone 'theorized' it was actually more vegetarian w/ some meat thrown in. IMHO, it seems this changed a lot of thinking about the O diet. I have always done well on a lot of meat and continue to eat this way. If you feel good eating lots of protein, go for it. It also seems for me, when I eat alot of beef, I have better BMs. Everyone is different, so in this case the phrase "if it feels good, do it", is a good one.

Listen to your body; our bodies signal to us what we need to feed it.

I eat tons of vegetables with my lunch and dinner--probably more so than the average person.  But this feel 'right' to me and keeps my digestion, elimination, energy sustained.

The BTD has a large framework of precepts, but I believe there is alot of room for uniqueness and individuality for everone who practices this lifestyle.

Your body is craving beneficial/neutral foods, instead of avoids.

Alia

Quoted from pkarmeier

Right!  
Tina, I need a lot of meat too. I feel better when I do. Type O as far as I can tell, had been thought of as more of a high protein diet until someone 'theorized' it was actually more vegetarian w/ some meat thrown in. IMHO, it seems this changed a lot of thinking about the O diet. I have always done well on a lot of meat and continue to eat this way. If you feel good eating lots of protein, go for it. It also seems for me, when I eat alot of beef, I have better BMs. Everyone is different, so in this case the phrase "if it feels good, do it", is a good one.

I totally agree!  Vegetables help--and I do like them--but I Love Meat!  And sardines--which I never, ever, ate until BTD!  They always reminded me of my Dutch Grandpa, sitting at  a cigar-smoky poker table and eating Sardines, Herring and Beer.  

But I loved my Grandpa, anway!  

My.

Quoted from MyraBee

 They always reminded me of my Dutch Grandpa, sitting at  a cigar-smoky poker table and eating Sardines, Herring and Beer.  

Wouldn't have wanted to sitting behind him in there!  

  !  There's a picture for you!  

Hi Ladies,
When I started the BTD, I didn't even realize there were "portion recommendations" and I would often eat anywhere from 1/2 to 1 lb of steak or other meat in one sitting.  One time I cooked 2 lbs worth of steak & had it for dinner... ha!  Never had any problems digesting it, but following the recommendations is still better on the 'ol system I suppose.  I guess all I'm saying is, like Lola said, indulging on meat is a lot better than going overboard on anything else.  

Join the club Eric!! lol

There's no better club on earth

I do favor much higher meat portions than recommended.  I think this is more dangerous for me as an A non-secretor than for an O.  I never have trouble digesting beneficial or neutral fish/meats (turkey, salmon, lamb, sardines, etc).  Beef fat gives me real troubles.  

Anyway, I think it is important to really maximize the GREEN veggies such as broccoli, collards, kale, romaine, spinach, etc if you are ingesting high amounts of meat.

Quoted from Vicki

I do favor much higher meat portions than recommended.  I think this is more dangerous for me as an A non-secretor than for an O.  I never have trouble digesting beneficial or neutral fish/meats (turkey, salmon, lamb, sardines, etc).  Beef fat gives me real troubles.  

Anyway, I think it is important to really maximize the GREEN veggies such as broccoli, collards, kale, romaine, spinach, etc if you are ingesting high amounts of meat.

ditto to all of this, every word

Thanks for all the replies, guys.  I think you are right.  I haven't been too concerned about portions that last day or two, and I feel even better and not those bad cravings like I had been having.  But, I do need to up the greens as well.  The other night, we had collard greens for supper, and they just really "hit" the spot for me.  I ate a ton, and my oldest son ate two helpings and said, "I love these collard greens, Mom!  Thanks for making these!"  How many 5 year olds do you know that would say that!  I am so blessed!

Now my youngest is a different story...he nearly choked...but at least he tried them...  He is a total protein boy, but he loves carrot sticks and broccoli, so I am glad for that!  I wish I could post a picture of them sometime.  To show you all how healthy they look.  But, I probably shouldn't do that I guess...

Take my word for it!  

I d love to admire your healthy looking boys!

Well, today I really had a protein overload, but I just went ahead and ate it, and I must say I feel wonderful!  For lunch after I got home from a pretty intense cardio and strength training workout, my boys and I ate a big lunch:
They had sardines (a whole can for each of them!)  My son ate a few that my younger son left behind, but I just let them.  They ate until they were full and felt really good.  We wrapped the sardines in romaine lettuce with some carrots and green peas (uncooked, just thawed from frozen).  They loved it.  
I had yellowfin tuna instead, because I just love it.  But, guys, I ended up eating TWO cans!  Yikes!  6 oz each, so that is 12 oz of tuna.  Now, is that overboard or what?  I also ate carrots, romaine, onions, and green peas as well.  Anyway, I confess it...

Something that's probably not good though is that it is packed in OLIVE OIL!  Not that olive oil is bad, but it is more fattening, but BOY was it yummy!!!

I should probably stick to the tuna in water,huh!  It's just no where near as tasty!

Quoted from Tina

I had yellowfin tuna instead, because I just love it.  But, guys, I ended up eating TWO cans!  Yikes!  6 oz each, so that is 12 oz of tuna.  

Do we need to be concerned about the mercury in tuna?  It seems like such a paradox - we need lots of fish, but there's that pesky heavy metal issue that has plagued so many of us on this list.

From what I understand, sardines are not much of a mercury problem.

Also, for me, I don't think of Olive Oil as "fattening.  I think of it as a Highly Beneficial, or at least a Beneficial.

My.

I'm good with the recommended protein amounts (although if I don't get them, I'm NOT good *lol*...but I don't really need more than what is recommended), but fat is another story.  Need it, want it, gotta have it!   As an O non, I'm not supposed to add much fat to my foods at ALL.  Yet I do!  I'm talking OLIVE OIL here, peeps.  I cannot imagine just eating the recommended O nonnie weekly portions of added fat/oil.  Madness!  If I did do that, though, something tells me that I would then need to up my protein in order to obtain that which eluded Mick Jagger:  satisfaction!

Tina:  if you need a little more protein than recommended for O's, don't worry.  Protein is the building block of life and most people will not overeat protein.  Most people tend to only eat as much as they need (carbs are a horse of an entirely different color!!!).

Quoted from Stephanie_Jackson

Do we need to be concerned about the mercury in tuna?  It seems like such a paradox - we need lots of fish, but there's that pesky heavy metal issue that has plagued so many of us on this list.

This is the kind I buy, whenever we want canned tuna.  Check out their variety called "Minimal Mercury".  Click HERE.

What are the ingredients on the tuna can?  

Wild Alaskan salmon and, also, sardines are generally considered very low in mercury.  

Albacore Tuna and Seasalt:
"Laboratory testing shows a correlation between the size and age of fish and their mercury content.  This can contains only three-year fish (9 to 12 lb.).  We have separated the youngest fish from the rest of the catch to produce the afest albacore tuna possible.  Learn more at SafeTuna.com."

Contains 1.77g. EPA/DHA Omega 3 per serving

Tina,

Since the body can also use proteins for energy and to create fat, since nonnies can't handle starches well, protein (particularly red meat) is really our only option.

I can eat meat -- particularly red meat -- like a fiend.  I just crave lots of vigorous exercise and water to metabolize the toxic ammonias from the protein.

the 'toxic ammonias' from the protein you mention are mostly taken care of, by our high levels of IAP. so no worries.......I don t entirely agree with the word 'toxic' when referring to Os versus protein in general.
leave those comments to the 'one size fit alls' instead.

Tina, what are the ingredients on the can of tuna you ate?

Tina, I was concerned you weren't "allowing" yourself enough red meat, especially being an O nonnie. Olive oil is good good good for us. I wouldn't think of it in terms of fat.  When I eat meat & vegs for meals, I fill up full, but don't seem to overeat, and don't have weight issues. Dr. D's recommendations have O Royalty needing more red meat. You have already felt better letting yourself eat more animal protein. Personally, all the cravings go away if I eat beef. As much as I love turkey & fish, nothing satisfies me like rare beef. Okay, salmon sashimi and yellowtail sashimi do it for me, but I don't get them as often as I'd like. Just for giggles, Mr. OSuzanna says he likes his steak so rare a good vet could get it back on its feet,
I like this thread, the tuna link is interesting.

Quoted Text

the 'toxic ammonias' from the protein you mention are mostly taken care of, by our high levels of IAP. so no worries.......I don t entirely agree with the word 'toxic' when referring to Os versus protein in general.
leave those comments to the 'one size fit alls' instead.

::sigh of relief::   Thanks for clearing that up Lola!

I'm just an A non-secretor and can eat a almost whole pound of beneficial turkey or neutral chicken in one sitting....shrug...

Eric,
anytime!

Quoted from Victoria

This is the kind I buy, whenever we want canned tuna.  Check out their variety called "Minimal Mercury".  Click HERE.

Thanks so much for that link!  I have so missed my tuna.  I'll be nice to have some again!

For the last few months I've been having a (several, actually) smoothies every morning with almonds or walnuts and flax seeds mixed in.  I sip them throughout the morning & have felt great.  Reading all the posts about people eating meat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  The consensus I got from all the posts was that eating meat in the AM, and carbs, if at all, at night seems to keep people's carb cravings down through the day & the people are less likely to crave avoids.  

Yesterday I had 3 large eggs with parsley and Ezekial bread with ghee & green tea for breakfast, then compliant meals the rest of the day.  This AM I had 3 more large eggs with peppers & onions & parsley & veg sausage (had it in the freezer & wanted to use it up), with compliant meals the rest of the day (I did have brown rice with lunch and dinner today, for convenience sake).  Both days, after breakfast, I do seem to stay full longer, but I can't seem to recognize when I'm full & I feel like I'm overeating.  I just can't seem to feel satisfied.  I'm craving something but I don't know what it is.  I'm irritable, having trouble relaxing and focusing,  and REALLY wanting a drink!  I know I can have red wine, but there's none here and we're in the middle of a wicked ice storm here, so there's no going out for it.  I've tried several different herbal teas, hot cocoa with Stevia & almond milk, but nothing is hitting the spot.  Can it be that the fruit, nut & oil smoothie in the AM is really what I should stick with?  I don't recognize the cravings as for wheat, dairy, or sugar.  A handful of pecans was unusually completely uninteresting when I tried it.  

WHAT's GOING ON??????

Quoted from Ronagon

 I just crave lots of vigorous exercise and water to metabolize the toxic ammonias from the protein.

Touching on something which happened some time back...when I was still figuring out ???how much protein???, I had actually overloaded my system with too much protein, and it affected the ability pee & poo freely. It was like a complete shut down process. But once I learnt what my body could process, everything came back to normal. Recommended portions will always be that-a guide. And since BTD is about individuality, do a trial and error till your body feels comfortable.

Quoted from Stephanie_Jackson

For the last few months I've been having a (several, actually) smoothies every morning with almonds or walnuts and flax seeds mixed in.  I sip them throughout the morning & have felt great.  Reading all the posts about people eating meat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  The consensus I got from all the posts was that eating meat in the AM, and carbs, if at all, at night seems to keep people's carb cravings down through the day & the people are less likely to crave avoids.  

Yesterday I had 3 large eggs with parsley and Ezekial bread with ghee & green tea for breakfast, then compliant meals the rest of the day.  This AM I had 3 more large eggs with peppers & onions & parsley & veg sausage (had it in the freezer & wanted to use it up), with compliant meals the rest of the day (I did have brown rice with lunch and dinner today, for convenience sake).  Both days, after breakfast, I do seem to stay full longer, but I can't seem to recognize when I'm full & I feel like I'm overeating.  I just can't seem to feel satisfied.  I'm craving something but I don't know what it is.  I'm irritable, having trouble relaxing and focusing,  and REALLY wanting a drink!  I know I can have red wine, but there's none here and we're in the middle of a wicked ice storm here, so there's no going out for it.  I've tried several different herbal teas, hot cocoa with Stevia & almond milk, but nothing is hitting the spot.  Can it be that the fruit, nut & oil smoothie in the AM is really what I should stick with?  I don't recognize the cravings as for wheat, dairy, or sugar.  A handful of pecans was unusually completely uninteresting when I tried it.  

WHAT's GOING ON??????

Stephanie, I'm a newbie myself and learning the BTD way of life thro trial & error. Could it be candida that's making you crave? Also, if you could totally stop consuming grains, however beneficial, you might see a huge difference. Replace the current portions you allocate for bread & rice with veggies and meat.

Stephanie,
If you felt great with the smoothies, maybe they were high protein enough for you.  You could always try them again for a few days and see how you feel.  

If I ever miss my morning smoothies, I'm really "off".  I love 'em!  Of course, I'm not an O, so what do I know??  

Quoted from osuzanna

Just for giggles, Mr. OSuzanna says he likes his steak so rare a good vet could get it back on its feet,

ROF!!

forrrrr us...better fish for digestion ......load em up royals'........

Stephanie - I'm with Accidental Chef in that your probs could be the grains.  I found this to be the case for me.   In some people grains can set up a want for more    

Nothing to lose by giving it a go.  I jumped so much further in my health by eliminating them and for breakfast I have the eggs  with extras thrown in & later in the morning I'll have a smoothie of banana & pawpaw (potassium hit).  Maybe your smoothie has nutrients that you really need hence the satisfaction.  

Hey but what do I know I still have constipation so am putting a couple of tblspns of psyllium husks into my smoothie or other drink each day!  Not sure if it is a protein problem or not  

One thought that comes to mind when reading this thread is that one's body may not just have individual needs, but also needs that vary over time. If you're healing from an ailment or from exercise, for example, you may need more protein to rebuild your tissues.

Nice thread, btw. I've been confused about the quantities recommended; now I feel more relaxed about it.

Where's the beef?  Breakfast for me works best with red meat.  Whether it be beef, buffalo, venison, moose, etc.  I have tried many times to switch it around, but when I don't have it first thing in the morning I seem to have cravings and go looking for it all day.   I eat a fair amount of it also.  More than the recommendations.  When I eat tuna Tina, I want more than just one can also.  Salmon (wild) in the can...I eat the whole can.  I keep in my good oils such as  olive, ghee and flaxseed.  Not overloading on them.  Can't remember who posted a while back, but they said they measure theirs as they didn't trust their measuring judgement.  Once I did...it was much better...I was putting way too much on.   I keep the protein balanced with my veggies and it goes much better.

Oh yeah...and the exercise for O's.

Debra

P.S.  And very, very, very seldom any grains.  Rice, if anything.

Quoted from debra

P.S.  And very, very, very seldom any grains.  Rice, if anything.

Have you tried to switch to quinoa, since rice is downgraded for type Os to neutral infrequent in the Health Library books? I have switched to quinoa for most of the meals where I used to use rice.

Quoted from accidental_chef

Stephanie, I'm a newbie myself and learning the BTD way of life thro trial & error. Could it be candida that's making you crave? Also, if you could totally stop consuming grains, however beneficial, you might see a huge difference. Replace the current portions you allocate for bread & rice with veggies and meat.

From all I've read here, that's probably right on.  I thought that since I had cut down so much, it would help, but apparently that hasn't been enough.  Thanks.

Quoted from ironwood55

Have you tried to switch to quinoa, since rice is downgraded for type Os to neutral infrequent in the Health Library books? I have switched to quinoa for most of the meals where I used to use rice.

No Don...haven't.  Will give it a try though.  

Debra

Quoted from ironwood55

Have you tried to switch to quinoa, since rice is downgraded for type Os to neutral infrequent in the Health Library books? I have switched to quinoa for most of the meals where I used to use rice.

I do occasionally eat quinoa.  Next time I feel I really need some grains, I'll try that first.  Thanks.

Hey there, Mastre,
Welcome to the BTD Forum!  I hope to see you around, and posting as much as you feel like it.  Eating for your blood type is certainly the foundation to whatever issues each of us may be working on, and will make it possible for our bodies to heal and balance.

That was a good post about individuality and how we need to be flexible, depending on what we are dealing with at any given time.

Quoted from Victoria

Stephanie,
If you felt great with the smoothies, maybe they were high protein enough for you.  You could always try them again for a few days and see how you feel.  

If I ever miss my morning smoothies, I'm really "off".  I love 'em!  Of course, I'm not an O, so what do I know??  

It is so amazing how food can affect our lives.  Today I had my smoothie for breakfast, and I feel like myself again, only better!  After breakfast, my package with my secretor test & supplements came in, and I just took my first dose of those.  I made some DELISH liver & onions for lunch, and I feel like I'm on top of the world!  

My family's stuck in the house today (probably for a few days) due to the ice storm, but the sleet outside looks like snow, so my kids are getting a kick out of it (a rarity in central TX), there's a roaring fire in my fireplace, I've got great food on the table, and my family is warm inside.  What a great day!

I feel that I am really doing well with just the smoothie in the a.m.  Of course, I workout after breakfast in the a.m., so I just feel lighter and better able to move and stuff when I exercise at that time.  When I come home for lunch though, I am ravishing!  I eat a really big lunch!  I am having red meat for lunch instead of bfast and feel it is helping sustain me into late afternoon or so.  It really hits the spot when I come home.  My body just feels too heavy when I eat it in the a.m.  Individuality I guess!

The tuna I ate had yellowfin tuna, salt, olive oil.  That is all the ingredients.  Oh, as a snack before bedtime, I am having a cup or so of frozen blueberries, and that really hits the spot for me...  I am currently just going to not worry about the meat portions or anything and focus on cutting back a little on the walnuts and olive oil.  I am already seeing results by being consistent eating my bison every day and smoothie in a.m.  

P.S.  I have heard that yellowfin is low in mercury, because it is not big like albacore.  The size of the fish plays a role in the mercury content.  But I also read in one book that mercury in tuna is actually eliminated from the body by some component of the tuna.  Anyone know about this?