Genotype Diet...I'm a Gatherer

Well I finally took the time to take my measurements and figure out which genotype I am according to Dr D'adamo's book the Genotype Diet. By just reading the descriptions I had always thought I would be a Warrior type...but lo and behold I'm a Gatherer. Now that I reread the descriptions I could see that.

A Gatherer has :

• phenomenal capacity for prolonged and concentrated brain work (must be why I like school so much)
• "Algorithmic" mind-set: natural-born problem-solver
• "Early adopter" of new and revolutionary ideas
• Sweet-natured with a tendency toward emotional "highs and lows" (those who know me know this is true)
• "Exercise-challenged" (wonder if this is a nice way to say lazy).
• endomorphic body type: always looks "padded" even when at proper weight (yep this would be true...always had hips and a booty even at 112lbs,my lowest weight)
• blood type O or B (type O check)
• Mostly Rh-positive (yep, I'm positive...I mistakenly said neg earlier...but my oldest son is a neg Rh type so maybe that's what I was confused with...i looked it up on my records so fix that, lol)
• high estrogen levels (must be why I have those emotional highs and lows, huh)

Superstar Gatherers

• Oprah Winfrey
• Orson Welles
• Marilyn Monroe
• Elvis Presley

Slogan

• "Whoever dies with the most wins." (honestly I could see this since I grew up with next to nothing and want to live comfortably and looking at the superstar gatherers they were the same way, grew up dirt poor and gathered wealth as they got older)

Strengths to count on

• terrific mental endurance
• Highly motivated
• Fertility- male and female (yup with four kiddies I would say I got this down pat)
• Potential to age well (working on this one)

Weaknesses to Watch out for

• Gatherers are unsuccessful crash dieters with a strong tendency to store calories as fat.(unfortunately I see this too...but now I can learn how to fix it)
• Appetite regulation can be a problem (yep I either forget to eat or end up not being able to stop eating no happy middle)
• Elevated estrogen sensitivity can stimulate hormonal cancers.
• Accumulation of damaging chemicals in tissue can lead to diabetes, hbp, Alzheimer's.

Health Risks

• Alzheimer's
• Depression
• High Blood Pressure
• Insulin resistance and diabetes
• Low thyroid activity
• Obesity
• Reproductive cancers with advanced age

The food part confuses me as parts of it are contradictory to the type O Blood type diet. For example; I should avoid chicken for 3-6 months which was a neutral. I will be able to add coffee (like I would ever completely take it out) after 3-6 months and this was an avoid in BTD. Being able to eventually add in goats milk is a plus and soybean products being an avoid is a plus as I don't like the flavor of them. From what I've read on Dr D'adamo's website is not to compare the two diets but see them as separate eating/health plans. Genotype diet is suppose to be more personal then the BTD. But if you find the BTD diet works better then use it as some people do better on one then the other. He's more for (from what I've noticed) people taking control of their health and eating in a way that benefits their specific type not using a one-diet-fits-all strategy.

Well it doesn't hurt to give it a shot...so I think I'll start today and give it six weeks to see how I feel afterwards. If I've lost weight and have more energy then I'll keep it up..if not then I'll go with BTD which is a hard diet to follow(not because of the restrictions but because of the cost of the foods that you should eat...ever seen the price of spelt flour, ridiculous).

If anyone wants more info check out Dr. D'adamos website .

Gluten free Brownies

Hubby was asking for brownies tonight. I thought it sounded good since I have a sweet tooth as well, but beings as I'm doing the blood type diet and getting ready to include aspects of Dr D'adamo's Genotype as well (just as soon as I do the measurements and figure out my genotype...I think I'm leaning towards Warrior, but will let ya'll know later). Anyway this means no wheat, dairy or corn products. Luckily there are a million gluten-free products and recipes and most are acceptable with my diet. So tonight I found a brownie recipe that I can make work and will share.

It's not done baking yet so I can't share the end result...but tasting the batter and it tasted really good all chocolaty and banana-y.

This is an adaption from Emeril's Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Brownie recipe

Ingredients:

Vegetable spray or Smart Balance for greasing pan(I used plain old canola oil)

1 3/4 cups applesauce

1 1/2 cup cocoa powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups sugar

2 mashed banana

2 eggs

2 1/2teaspoons vanilla extract

1 2/3 cup gluten-free flour (I used a mix of 1:1 soy and brown rice flours...don't really like the taste of soy flour but it was all I had and might as well use it up..and I was afraid that using just brown rice flour would of left too gritty of a product. Emeril's recipe calls for just brown rice flour)

2 cups chocolate chips (Emeril's recipe calls for vegan chips, but we're not vegan so it's not something I keep around the house...carob chips would probably be good though and more in agreement then reg. chocolate chips for my diet...I think a trip to Whole Foods may be in order soon).

• Preheat oven to 350º F.
• Grease an 9x13 pan
• In a large mixing bowl, combine all remaining ingredients. Pour mixture into prepared pan.
• Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the pan comes out clean.
• These brownies are dense and fudgey.