What is the Specific Carbohydrate Diet?
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a group of foods which are grain-free, sugar-free, starch-free, and unprocessed. While removing many foods that are toxic and digestively harmful the diet remains natural, extremely nourishing and representative of what our ancestors ate.
Eating SCD is a way to “re-boot” your digestion and give you an overall health boost. The diet will probably have you feeling better than ever even if you don’t have any intestinal damage. But if you are one of the lucky few who needs a bit of digestive support this diet was created especially for you.
Where Did SCD Come From?
The principles of SCD were laid down by Dr. Sidney Valentine as he treated Celiacs and other IBD patients in the 1950s. One of his patients was Elaine Gottschall’s daughter who at the time was very sick with ulcerative colitis. Dr. Haas helped Elaine’s daughter to achieve lasting remission through diet and the use of fermented foods.
Elaine Gottschall then dedicated her life to researching the diet – gut connection. She coined the named the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and released the science and ground rules in her life’s work “Breaking the Vicious Cycle, Intestinal health through diet”.
Breaking the Vicious Cycle is the reason we are here today and. We are very grateful for all the hard work that Elaine put into it and we think everyone should own a copy or two.
What Science is Behind the Specific Carbohydrate Diet?
The diets guidelines are based on the fact that not everyone’s digestive tract has evolved to optimally digest complex carbohydrates and other man made food products like sugar. The main principle of the diet is that carbohydrates are classified by their chemical structure; they are monosaccharide, disaccharide, or polysaccharide. On the diet only monosaccharide carbohydrates are allowed to be eaten as all others require extra digestion steps to break the chemical bonds down to monosaccharide carbohydrates.
Any food that is not properly digested causes bacterial and yeast overgrowth when undigested carbohydrates are fed on by bacteria and yeast in the intestinal tract. This starts a chain reaction of excess toxins and acids which cause irritation of the small intestine cells damaging them and causing food absorption issues which only helps to continue the cycle.
The diet is an all natural way to break this cycle of bacteria and yeast overgrowth by eliminating the food sources they feed on. By working to restore gut flora to normal levels the intestinal tract is allowed to start repairing any damage by itself.
How Does the Specific Carbohydrate Diet Work?
By eliminating complex carbohydrates, lactose, sucrose and other man made ingredients from the digestive process, the body is finally allowed to start healing. As gut flora levels start to stabilize, the reduction of irritants from undigested foods, toxins and other man made ingredients allows inflammation levels to retreat.
This is accomplished by beginning the diet with extremely easy to digest, natural foods. This “intro diet” starts the healing the process and then more complex foods are added back to the diet very slowly. By carefully adding foods back to the diet the Specific Carbohydrate Diet is individually tailored to each person’s state of injury and digestion abilities.
What Do I Eat Already?
Below is a quick summary of the Do’s and Do NOTS. Please check the official list before eating something.
Eat This:
Allowed Meats: Eggs, Chicken, Turkey, Beef, Fish, Pork, Wild Game, Bacon, Lamb
Allowed Vegetables: Fresh or frozen of most commonly eaten vegetables are acceptable (asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, kale, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, peas, peppers, pumpkin, spinach, squash, string Beans, tomatoes and watercress) Click here for others
Allowed Fruits: Commonly found Fresh or Frozen or dried with nothing added are acceptable (apples, avocados, bananas (ripe with black spots), berries of all kinds, coconut, dates, grapefruit, grapes, kiwi fruit, kumquats, lemons, limes, mangoes, melons, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, prunes, raisins, rhubarb, tangerines) Click here for others
Dairy: SCD Yogurt, natural 30 day aged Cow and Goat cheeses (not Kraft-see below), Butter, Ghee, and Dry Curd Cottage Cheese (DCCC).
Nuts: Almonds, Pecans, Brazil, Hazelnuts, Walnuts, Cashews, Chestnuts (no additives for butters, salted mixes and flours)
Legumes: Peanuts, White beans, Navy Beans, Lentils, Split Peas, Lima beans, Kidney beans, Black beans
Spices: Most non-mixed spices are allowed, screen for anti-caking agents, and make sure the ingredients are listed
Not This:
No CEREAL GRAINS: Wheat, Barley, Corn, Rye, Oats, Rice, Buckwheat, Millet, Triticale, Bulgur, Spelt, Quinoa
Not Allowed Meats: Ham, Processed Sausages, Lunch meats, Bratwurst, Turkey dogs, Hot dogs
Not Allowed Vegetables: Canned are not allowed due to the usual addition of sugars, processing aids and preservative chemicals.
Not Allowed Fruits: Canned and most fruit juices are not allowed due to the common addition of sweeteners, preservatives, and processing aids.
Not Allowed Legumes: Soybeans, chick peas, bean sprouts, mungbeans, fava beans, garbanzo beans
Dairy: Commercial yogurts, milk of any kind, unnatural cheeses (Kraft and most other main stream shredded cheeses fall into this group), all of the following cheeses: Cottage, Cream, Feta, Gejetost, Mozzarella, Neufchatel, Primost, Ricotta, Processed cheese spreads.
Starches/Tubers: Not allowed including Potatoes, Yams, Sweet potatoes, Arrowroot, Parsnip, Cornstarch, tapioca starch
Spices: No Curry powders, Most Onion and Garlic powders are filled with anti-caking agents
Drink This:
Weak tea or coffee, Water, Mineral Water, Club soda, Dry Wine, Gin, Rye, Scotch, Bourbon, Vodka
Not This:
Instant coffee, Most commercial juices, Milk, Soda Pop, Sweet Wines, Flavored Liqueurs, Brandy, Sherry
Sweeten With This:
Honey
Not This:
Sugar of any kind (Cane, Coconut, Table, etc), Agave syrup, Maple syrup, artificial sweeteners.
{ 250 comments… read them below or add one }
Am very anxious to utilize this diet. I do not sleep well, am up by 3 am everyday and stay awake for the rest of the day. I refuse to take anything except as prescribed by my GI dr, I think he is the best, out of Mt. Sinai in New York City, except it is not covered by my insurance, which ends at the end of this year, btw. I am so looking forward to being in remission for at least the next 50 years, just kidding, but really really do not want to wind up in the hospital for the 12th time this year alone. Any suggestions are always welcome from anyone and I hope all of you guys stay healthy. Ellen
@ Ellen, keep doing great work taking control of your health!
Have you ever had a 24-hour hormone/cortisol test done? It sounds like you might have an imbalance going on… talk with your Dr. about it.
Other ideas might be trying some “Natural Calm” Magnesium before bed OR working on reducing stress and parasympathetic nervous system stimulation. Look into a program called “Rest Assured” here: http://www.soundersleep.com/marketplace/
Let us know how you’re doing,
Jordan
Hi Ellen,
I chuckled when I read your message because I know who you are talking about. His collegues do take insurance and they all work together if that is any consolation. He was the one that recommended the diet to me, but only after I asked. I said, “This is a gatrointestinal disease, doesn’t it make sense that there’s something I can do with my diet to help it?” His response was that there was one diet that he has seen work, but it is very difficult to follow. He gave me the name of Elaine’s book.
If you are on medication, stay on it, but it is clearly not working for you. Start the diet and see if your symptoms decrease. You may need a combination of the meds and the diet, but you may be able to avoid the stronger drugs with the scary side effects.
By the way, I’m not a doctor, just have been through this too long. The same doctor told me on my first visit that from here on out, I would know more about Crohn’s disease than any doctor I met. Boy, have I found that to be the truth!
Jessica,
Folks should listen to you. It is obvious that you have learned a lot!
Dr. Young
Stay the hell away from your GI doctor. You’ve been hospitalized eleven times this year? Not surprised.
If you really want to heal don’t count on your doc to help. They don’t understand the effect of nutrition on your gut. I am on day 3 of this diet and I am noticing a difference already. I made the recommended chicken soup, a few organic beef patties and drank lots of water and weak tea and I notice some changes. My GI doc is a nice man but he just doesn’t believe in diet, he believes in pills which have only made me sick in different ways…. But then you probably know all this by now if you did the diet.
I have just been diagnosed with Ulcerated Colitis and would very much appreciate the name of the Dr at Mt Sinai.
Jordan, I was curious about the SCD when I came to your site at Sandi K’s recent suggestion. Basically, my husband and I eat very close to the SCD. It really is quite easy and simple to follow while at home. There are always exceptions but if you listen to how certain foods make you feel, there you go, we will eat more healthy. We also use supplements to fill in the gaps and to address the healing of health issues accumulated over the years but a healthy diet is key. Thanks for sharing.
Hi @Pat,
Thanks for checking out the site and I’m so glad to hear your feeling good eating healthy – you rock!
Thanks for sharing the good vibes and I hope to stay in touch
Jordan
Hi Guys,
I bought your book today and listened to the whole mp3 right away. I have ordered BTVC and it should arrive later this week. I want to get started as soon as a tradeshow I’m working at finishes mid week. My one question right now is how long (months/years) do most people need to stay 100% on the diet and not eat any illegal carbs? Is the idea to get well and then in moderation eat a lot of the illegal foods or to stick with legal foods for the rest of your life? I have suffered with IBS-D for over 7 years and have been on several different diets including right now on a gluten/fructose free diet which still isn’t giving me relief. I am currently eating rice – which I will need to stop for the SCD.
Thanks.
Dave
Hi @Dave – great question!
It’s different for everyone… some people need to stay on SCD for a long time. I’ve also talked with people that were able to get off it after a few years.
It all depends on your disease, your enviroment, and how well you manage stress and just generally take care of your body outside of diet. Inflammation can be driven by many forces outside of just food…
Some people do well to follow SCD for a while and upgrade to introduce and test out some “safe starches” over time… but only when they are well healed and cut out the bacterial overgrowth. The bottom line is: if you’re feeling awesome, feeling like yourself again – then enjoy it and live a diet and lifestyle that is going to keep you that way
Many people we’ve talked to stay on SCD for life because they enjoy how good it makes them feel.
Congrats on starting the diet and taking control of your health – you rock!
Jordan
without knowing about the scd diet, i have been forced to eat very close to this diet out of necessity because of my gut issues. however, lately i have realized i do not process nuts or beans well either. i am down to the bare bones right now. now that i’ve discovered this diet and plan to prayerfully follow it 100%, will soaking both of these make an improvement?
Hi Stephanie – great to hear from you.
IF you soak or roast the nuts, which will minimize some of the phytic acid – Chris Kresser has a great article about it here:
http://chriskresser.com/another-reason-you-shouldnt-go-nuts-on-nuts
Jordan
Hi Stephanie, I do not tolerate Nuts or eggs very well either. I am curious to know what the eggs do to you. They do not cause me gut distress but they give me panic attacks. Sheer and utter feelings of terror when I eat them. You?
@Haley – this is common you might want to read this -> http://scdlifestyle.com/2011/03/what-to-do-when-the-scd-diet-isnt-working/
hi my name is jan my son is autistic and is three the only bread he will eat that is scd compliant has half a cup of peanut butter is this too much per week and which peanut butter is okay please is meridian okay.
What your take on cooking oils? I use only olive and coconut oils
Hi Mick – same here, I stick with olive oil and coconut oil. Coconut oil handles high heat much better than olive oil.
Jordan
Does anyone know how long before I should see some improvement in my UC? I’ve been strictly following this diet for almost 2 weeks and still have mostly Bristol stool type 6 w/ about 90% muscus. Many times a day and lots of urges. This is the same (possibly worse) than before I started the diet.
Hi Kris – remember that it took a long time to get sick and it takes even longer to heal. Give it atleast 30-days before you start wondering if the diet isn’t working.
If you’re still struggling then, start making a few tweaks with this article:
http://scdlifestyle.com/2011/03/what-to-do-when-the-scd-diet-isnt-working/
Jordan
Kris,
I was diagnosed as celiac and had to go off gluten last Jan… It took me months to feel better and I still had good and bad days. Keep it up. Jordan is right that it can take a while after being sick for so long.
What about lactose-free products?
what about stevia or xylitol?
Nope. Stevia is is derived from sugar. Basically anything that’s not in its natural form, you can eliminate, especially if it’s hard to pronounce. Make sure you have a copy of the legel/illegal list from the site
Stevia is not derived from sugar. It is from the leaves of the stevia plant which is related to the chrysthanemum or marigold plant. However xylitol is classified as a carbohydrate that comes from pine trees.
Stevia can be bad for you on SCD (illegal) as some of the packages are made with maltodextrin. Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide made from (usually corn or wheat) starch and is basically sugar, breaks down quickly into glucose in our body. Unfortunately found this out the hard way when I bought a package of it at my local store with out reading. Learned my lesson!
@Crystal – great points, in general get your sweetness from honey and fruit or not at all.
you can get pure stevia without it being cut with anything. i get mine from mt rose herbs. you could also grow it at home if you wanted to. it should look green
do the laws of “food combining” matter when you’re trying to heal and rebalance your internal system? If so, please direct me to any literature on it.
Thanks.
Hi! In have eliminated from my diet all of the foods you mentioned plus manu more. I can’t even eat apples. I had to eliminated all foods containing sugar, including veggies. I cannot tolerate much fiber either. Do you think this could be the result of a candida imbalance? Do you know of any doc in the boston area that could cure this?
Thank you!
Graciela
@ Graciela – I’m glad your actively tweaking your diet great work! Make sure you try some digestive enzymes, check for low stomach acid, and try some probiotics. Most people who seem to have lot’s of food intolerances report getting better after they experiment with those. Don’t know anyone in Boston. Good Luck!
Cooked fruits are much more digestible, but in your condition it is best to avoid all fruit for now. Eat very well cooked vegies only, and learn to ferment. Fiber can be very detrimental to a dysbiotic gut. Check out this site: http://www.gutsense.org/. Konstantin’s story is a great read; his information is from personal experience and years of research. Avoiding fiber has been immensely healing in my case (I used to use ground flax seed believing I needed more fiber in my diet).
For doctor referrals try Weston A. Price Foundation (http://www.westonaprice.org/). Dr. Thomas Cowan in San Francisco, (http://fourfoldhealing.com/) formerly from the east coast, may also be able to provide a referral. Also, Konstantin (gutsense/fiber menace guy mentioned previously, is in New Jersey, very approachable via email, may be of help too).
Look forward to reading about your progress. Best of luck.
Does it work well to loss weight at the same time…
@ Valentin – Yes the SCD diet basically acts like a weight regulation diet. If your over weight you will likely lose weight and get down to a healthier level as you heal and if your under weight many will begin to gain weight.
Hi Jordan
Thanks for this information.
Does it apply to lactose-intollerant people? I consistently have stomach discomfort, despite ruling out dairy from my diet. It’s hard to say often what it is that’s causing my stomach to feel unhealthy.
Hi Jen – yes, the SCD diet is free of lactose. The specific dairy products that are allowed were chosen because they are free of lactose.
Give it 30-days and you’ll never look back!
In good health,
Jordan
Hello Jordan,
Most recently I’ve had a very bad flare up and feeling incredibly dependent on the the drugs the doc has prescribed. I HaTe it! Someone has past me along to this site. I’m also lactose and have notice a lot of cheese in this diet. I never been able to tolerate to yogurt and truly unsure what grains are safe! I have purchased the book and trying to find the most relevant and most important thing to start with. Can you help. Feeling every despert.
Hi Monica, you can do the diet dairy-free, which is what we recommend for “tough cases” like yourself. I also did it 100% dairy free.
Jordan
I am celiac, not absorbing minerals and vitamins very well any longer, despite many years on strict gluten free diet. I am tempted to try the SCD diet, however, I cannot have any cow dairy products due to severe reaction to casein protein. Any suggestions for how to handle without cheese and yogurt in the diet? Thanks.
@ Rhonda – Would suggest you get our book and follow it as a guide and I bet you will see drastic improvements. We advocate a custom SCD diet that doesn’t include dairy if you can’t handle it. Jordan still doesn’t eat it. Many people mistakenly think SCD has to include Dairy. It doesn’t it. Listen to your body.
My main symptom is esophageal discomfort and some acid reflux. I have come a long way already by eliminating all gluten and most sugars (except xylitol, the occasional honey or maple syrup) taking probiotics, eliminating antibiotics and using certain herbs, especially raw ginger root. I used to have chronic reflux (no matter what I ate!), and esophageal spasms that were so severe they mimicked a heart attack–I went to the hospital numerous times to rule that out (and it was ruled out, in every case!). It seems that I am still sensitive to certain foods, but I’m not always sure what; sometimes it doesn’t take getting food all the way down the digestive tract for my body to react. Often, as soon as I take a couple of swallows of something, my throat starts to close up and hurt–so I know I have to stop eating and take the antidote, which for me is ginger root–something I always have ready in a strong raw infusion frozen into ice cubes. I mix it with green tea, stevia and raw lemon juice. I have recently started using bovine gelatin, making bone broth, and culturing my own vegetables. But there are still times when I seem to be reacting, and I don’t know to what. I am not sure whether I am sensitive to all dairy, but seem to be okay with butter, whipping cream and some commercial Greek yoghurts. I am so afraid to go to any doctor now, because they either don’t take me seriously or they simply offer me acid-reducing drugs (which I refuse). I think I could probably benefit from HCL, and have started taking that with bigger meals. My question is, do my symptoms sound like they should be treated with the full SCD program? Are they related to colitis or IBS, even though they are mostly upper GI tract, and I do not have diarrhea (except leaky, sore anus) or much in the way of bowel problems? Things I have been doing (increasingly) for the past two years or so are definitely helping, but not completely eliminating my issues. I like the idea of keeping a journal, which I saw in your letter today. Sometimes I wonder what more I could be doing than I am doing already–and my husband (and others) already thinks I am totally weird in what I eat and do not eat! Your thoughts would be appreciated!
Thanks for the comment Helen.
It sounds like you’d be a great candidate for Betaine HCL and diet modification.
Whether its SCD or Paleo, I think eliminating sugar, grains, soy, and industrial seed oils would really help. Give it 30-days with the Betaine and see how you feel.
In good health,
Jordan
Helen please please keep a food journal… I found I had my reactions to food 2-3 days AFTER I had eaten them…the journal really helped me pin point what foods I was reacting to..good luck this is a great site with lots of help
Toni,
I am on day 3 of the CSD and I am having horrible headaches and nausea..keeping and food journal and I have a dietitian that I keep in close contact with about the diet.. how long did it take your body to adjust?
Thanks:)
It can take a week or longer read this post -> http://scdlifestyle.com/2012/06/5-die-off-myths-everyone-needs-to-know-about/
Helen, I am very concerned about you. When you say that your throat closes whenever you eat it sounds like a digestive motility problem. That means the muscles that move food down your throat don’t work properly.
I’m no physician…but I have motility problems with my gut.
You can Google digestive motility to find out more.
All the best to you, Helen
Helen
I was just curious about the SCD and if it could help me with my digestive issues and noticed your comment….It sounds like you have Achalasia!! That’s what i have had for 12 years. I hope by now you have been diagnosed because there are things that will help. Diet and lifestyle help as well but you may need surgery. I know this is an old comment so im sure you already have found some answers. Just felt like i needed to tell you!!
Helen, I am currently being treated for my food sensitivities. The doctor is a chiropractor, not an md, that specializes in people with autoimmune disorders. He says I have ‘leaky gut syndrome’. It causes many food sensitivities. They tested me for food sensitivities. Then I went on a restricted elimination diet. He will start treating me for my leaky gut next week. Partly with probiotics. There are other supplements. I already feel much better and have lost 14 lbs. The hope is that after the leaky gut is treated, I will be able to eat some of those foods again that I am currently sensitive to.
I have had constipation, bloating, and fatigue about as long as I can remember. I have found that the normal recommendations of lots of water, fiber, and exercise help a lot, but I still wish I felt better. I totally agree that sugar and processed foods are awful for health and have cut back immensely, but I can’t get my head wrapped around the idea of not eating grains since I do not have celiacs or anything like that. Do you commonly have “mild symptom” people following this diet?
I have delt with digestive issues for a long time and had 10 inches of my small intestine removed. Over time my health was deteriorating from not absorbing nutrients. My thyroid died, I was diagnosed with autoimmune disease, cystic fybrosis, and most recently a reaction to wheat, not to count all the classics symptoms. i don’t believe in modern medicine as I do not believe in masking the problems, so I go to a holistic doctors. My doctor put me on vitamin IV’s three years ago, and I am now following a strict gluten free diet. My quality of life has returned. I have the energy I had in my 20′s and I do not ache or have headaches as often. My bone denisty has improved. This is a life committment not a short term fix. I highly recommend the IV’s if you do not absorb nutrients due to gluten. Hope this helps
Has SCD been shown to have an effect on anyone with liver disfunction, particularly after having their colon removed due to ulcerative colitis?
@ Carmen – We have several readers who’ve had their colon removed and still follow SCD because the surgery didn’t “cure” them by any means. Eating a lower toxin and low inflammation diet is going to help any problems you have especially ones surrounding liver (detox) and colitis (inflammation). Give it a go, do it “tough case” style and report back with how you feel.
I’m 26 years old, and for the past few months I’ve been experiencing digestive issues including, bloating, excessive gas, constipation, and soft stool. (back and forth). I have a bowel movement every day, but sometimes I don’t get complete relief. My symptoms seem to occur around the same time every day (around 10am. Plus a few hours more sometimes). I eat healthy and have been for almost 2 years now. I also exercise 5 days a week. I’m in the best shape of my life, but I hate feeling like this. I eat alot of complex carbs, but have been for awhile now. I haven’t been diagnosed with anything, but I have experimented with betaine hcl w/pepsin, enzymes, and probiotics. I also take pysillium husk. I’ve noticed since I’ve been on these supplements my stool is more consistent, the normal color, and no undigested food. Before it looked like lettuce. so I’m really curious about scd, and I’m wondering if it would be right for me. I really want to cure the issue, not put a bandaid on it. If I were to chose a few supplements to stay on, what would you recommended? Oh, and I’d also take 1 tbs ACV twice a day. I appreciate the time you take to respond. thanks!
@Justin – Supplements are just that, supplemental to a great diet. Eating complex grains while your dealing with digestive problems is a poor choice and using supplements will only mask the underlying root issues if they work. I would highly suggest you give SCD or Paleo a try for 30-90 days. In the meantime stop taking pysillium husk which is NOT good for your colon at all. It might make your poop look good in the toilet but it’s only masking underlying problems. Stick with SCD and Betaine HCL / Enzymes.
Hi Justin,
I have the exact same symptoms which I’ve simply self diagnosed as irritable bowel. I’m currently doing a sugar free diet which has not helped one bit (I suspect because I’m eating more grains than before). I’m considering giving this a go to see if it helps. I was wondering however what ACV and betaine HCL/enzymes are?
@Jess – I bet you’d see amazing changes in 7 days if you follow our free guide. Please search the site here for posts on HCL and Enzymes but yes in general they seem to really help almost everyone and we encourage their usage. Give the SCD Lifestyle method 30 days following our plans and I bet we can change your life.
ACV = Apple Cider Vinegar
Psyllium: The glamour poop solution…. I love it! LOL
I have a theory about the rise in celiac disease and other food sensitivities. I believe the escalation started with the introduction of commercial breads and other baked goods in the 1950′s and continues on with genetically-modified crops like wheat, corn, soy, etc. I’ve been following most of the SCD for about 20 years without even knowing about it. I don’t eat processed foods; avoid anything made with white flour, white sugar, white rice, white potatoes, any corn or soy. I make my own foods like yogurt and fermented foods, grow and preserve as many fruits and vegetables as I can and avoid any foods known to be GMO. I don’t eat any meat/poultry/fish that’s been fed commercial feed since most of that has GMO ingredients. The few items I eat that are not on the diet are locally grown or produced (like maple syrup) so I know what’s in it. I’m in generally good health, not overweight, and friends are always asking what my secret is. It come down to… folks need to start growing and preparing their own food or visit your local farmer’s market, CSA, etc. Pay the farmer or pay the pharmacist, your choice.
@ Kathy – thanks for sharing your powerful ideas. This quote blew me away “Pay the Farmer or Pay the Pharmacist” WOW gives me chills! Your eating amazing and I hope you keep spreading the message about the power of food!
Hi, I’m glad I found your site and info about the SCD diet. I’m trying to find a solution for my daughter who has been diagnosed as fructose intolerant, by the breath test, but is still having trouble ( after 2 years) even though we try to follow a low fructose diet. The idea of cleaning out the complex/ toxins and letting the intestine get back to it’s proper functioning makes sense to me, so I’d like to start the SCD diet, but there are quite a few things on the list which I know give her pain – are high in fructose/fructan ie – onion, honey, apples. being fructose intolerant, we’ve been told that glucose is actually the best sweetner for her as opposed to honey/ sorbitol/ corn syrup. So my question is, how should I apply the SCD diet to her. Many thanks
@Philippa – Your doing awesome things for you daughter! To mix SCD and fructose intolerance just take those foods which you already mentioned that you know she won’t do good on and hold them off for at least 90 days. Using our phasing charts just skip over and pull ahead foods that are lower in FODMAPS content. If you don’t want to use honey then use dextrose. But in my opinion even for those with FODMAP problems honey is just fine. In either case neither sweetener should be a large part of her diet so therefore none should cause problems.
this diet seems to be very effective …….. i m a UC patient and is in remission since 3 months after following this diet for only 2 weeks …….. really nice one …….. any queries feel free to consult me jattavalgill123@gmail.com …
What does the SCD diet say about seeds like chia, flax, or pumpkin seeds? Good?
Hi Ann, check out what Elaine had to say here:
http://breakingtheviciouscycle.info/knowledge_base/kb/seeds.htm
And here:
http://breakingtheviciouscycle.info/knowledge_base/kb/seeds_and_seed_flours.htm
In good health,
Jordan
Hi Jordan.
Our six year old son was diagnosed with Crohn’s last week. We are shocked, as we have truly tried to watch his diet since his start with breastmilk and then raw, organic goat milk. I have so many questions. This diet seems hopeful, but I worry about his low weight and nutrients. Thank you for this site. I pray it continues to help us along the way.
Hi. My 4 yr old daughter was diagnosed with celiac last september. She went on GFCF but wasn’t doing great. I out her on SCD in january. Already she can eat fresh produce. When should lactose be tried? I can’t seem to find the answer in my reading of the main sites. Im amazed and grateful for my daughters healing. I believe in this diet.
Got some serious trouble in my gutty works! Been on the diet a week. Feel confident mentally, but im holding out for the thirty day mark before I make my judgement. Thanks for your efforts in responding. I was wondering about halva – sweetened with grape juice? I’ve got a real sweet tooth and normally get through a couple of kilos of chocolate each week.
@ A boy – I would encourage you to stop drinking all fruit juices until the 30 day mark. The very fact that you admit to your sweet tooth only means you will be more sensitive to sugars especially in concentrated form like juice. Look into Magnesium supplementation it should help with the cravings.
I am looking into the SCD diet, need to collect more information first but the goal is to try it soon. Question, is it a good idea to use my pulse as a guide to when i am eating good/bad food? I mean if my pulse increases with perhaps 10 beats (or more) per minute after a meal, then it means that i ate something bad.
@Kalle – Yes and no… it works for some people but it is a rather subjective test that is prone to false positives due to the fact that your doing the measuring and you know that your measuring. It’s the same problem with getting your blood pressure measured at the doc’s office. Most people measure a bit higher than normal everytime just because they are getting measured…
Better to start with our intro diet, use a journal and track your symptoms.
I’ve discovered that I have several food sensitivities, with gluten and dairy intolerance being the worst. As an athlete training for an Ironman triathlon, I find it difficult to find food sources good for training, racing, and recovery. Any recommendations? Most sports nutrition products are swimming with different forms of simple and complex carbs (I’m not sure which are best) or whey protein. I need both quick and sustained energy and portability rolled into one.
@ Nora – great question, depends how bad your health is. If you have major gut and health problems the very first thing you need to do is stop training for any long distance events especially an Ironman. Let your body heal and then do it. If your bound and determined to stay with it, I would encourage you to try sweet potatoes and other starchy tubers and eat LOTS of fat. The problem here is if you have SIBO or yeast overgrowth eating the extra carbs will feed these bugs and not actually fix your gut problems.
FYI – Long distance cardio has been proven in scientific literature to make leaky gut worse which is one part of what causes food sensitivities.
Have Gluten Sensitivity and on the SCD Diet for about 4 months.
My leaky gut has disappeared and lost 25 lbs. I feel great!!!!!!!!
Hi! Thank you for answering questions, that’s great. I have been on the diet almost one week. In some sense my stomach is vorse than before. I feel very constipated and it is hard to get bowel movement. Also two times I have had sudden pain and dhiarrea about 1 hour after eating. First time was after eating broiled salmon (marinated in olive oil) with carrot puree and avocado. Second time was after a snack of two meat patties, two harboiled eggs and some raisins (first try). Is it to be expected that my stomach gets worse before it gets better? I have never had dhiarrea before like this.
Any suggestions on how to get better? I have been reading about enzymes and stuff. I live in Sweden and scd doesn’t seem that common here.
@Kalle – Yes please read this post on die-off symptoms. It’s actually normal and expected to see big changes in the first 2 weeks. It sounds like you could really use our book where we walk you through all of these changes. Raisins are very advanced and could be causing the problems you mentioned so could eggs. Not taking a structured food introduction approach like we layout in posts on this blog and in our eBook is the #1 reason people fail this diet. Please don’t end up being part of that group.
My husband has Chron’s. A lot of the comments I have seen talk about this diet helping diarrhea. He has some of that but more issues with blockage due to inflammation. Would this diet help him or make it worse since you are cutting a lot of the foods that help move things along?
@Robin – It would help him, many of our followers have had blockages in the past and haven’t had problems since. The important point here is that food is always either adding to the inflammation or calming it down. SCD will calm it down compared to typical diets. That’s why it was created. But because he has blockage complications I would also look at L-glutamine.
Hey guys, glad to find this site. I have been having semi-mild digestive symptoms for two decades, lost a ton of weight after birth of my first child and was “diagnosed” with candida back then. Managed to get this far. After being misdiagnosed in 1998 (and treated w/chemo) for Hodkins, a good doc finally ruled that out (2008) and I have tested positive for a dna/inflammatory condition “periodic fever syndrome”. Basically my body goes haywire in various ways. Has caused all sorts of episodes. Knowing the connection between inflammation and disease, in addition to my overwhelming single mom life…its effecting my mental health.
Currently, for the past several months, I have had intermittent, but frequent, bloating, to the point of my bowel rising up in my abdomen for brief moments…mucous in stools, sometimes seemingly bloody, and overall gaseousness. I had a colonoscopy in 2008 that was “fine” and have since been “diagnosed” with IBS based on symptoms and hunches.
After seeing another gastro yesterday, and being told I probably should have a colonoscopy, I want to TRY diet first. Here’s were I need a little guidance. I am thinking its either: Yeast, IBS (FODMAPS diet) and/or lactose. I asked my gastro about celiac and he said a blood test could determine if I had it. Is that correct? He also said that a blood test could NOT determine candida/yeast although I read otherwise. He said he could test for that when I got the colonoscopy.
Truth be told, I am not particularly fond of the trauma of the cleanse of a colonscopy…so I am trying to start to take REAL action in terms of diet. But I don’t know where to start, cuz many of the things on this SCD are opposed to that on FODMAPS…including legumes, corn…
Any help coming up with a way to begin….to eliminate and narrow down the possibilities would be greatly appreciated!
I am wondering why Buckwheat and Quinoa appear in the “No CEREAL GRAINS” section. Neither are strictly cereals or grains, with quinoa (the part that we eat) being a seed, buckwheat a fruit, and both being sometimes described as pseudo-cereals.
It may be a simplification. As a person reading about SCD for the first time yet having a fair understanding of nutrition and foods though, it looks odd and concerns me.
@ Ben- Still working on full researched posts but the story is they can still contain some problematic proteins and in general are harder to digest than all of the legal foods on SCD. It shouldn’t be concerning at all based on your research, SCD is meant for people with compromised guts and poor digestion. It is a restorative diet to heal people. Long-term once your done healing we encourage people to try and add back in any foods they think are “healthy” using the same 4-day rule that we teach them to create their own custom diet. So in other words, heal first, if you love Quinoa prepare it properly and then try it – your body will let you know. But until your gut and health problems are gone it’s not allowed.
I have read that buckwheat is a fruit. Not a grain. Why is it on the not allowed list?
I began having stomach issues about 6 months ago. I have had every test done and they come out normal. A month ago i had my gallbladder out which did not help.. Now i am always sick to my stomach with nausea . I always have a burning feeling in my stomach and on my left side. will this diet help?? i just want to feel healthy again …..
Hi, I’ve been reading about SCD for the last year after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and proctitis following a mild IBS condition and going through endoscopies and colonoscopies. The problems result in blood in my stools (although this seems to have died down in recent months) but mainly a fair amount of mucus and poo that comes out in tiny dried and hard olive shapes (!)… Anyway, after seeing a dietitian at the hospital, I’ve been put on a FODMAP diet for 8 weeks which on closer look seems to be going against the SCD diet in many ways. Add to that the fact I’m a vegetarian and my options for food have been rather limited particularly when the pleasure from eating fruit (and lots of it) that I’ve derived throughout my life has now been compromised (it is so tempting in summer to eat through a few nectarines, drink some juice or have an ice cream all of which are a no no in the FODMAP diet).
All this to say that I’m a little confused as to what I am supposed to eat when I get loads of contradicting advice as in my case nuts, seeds, pulse/legumes and fruit like pineapple pass through me undigested and I was told to cut all kinds of vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, avocado etc…
Eating has really become a chore and having to be constantly aware of what’s going on inside me and poo problems constantly on my mind have turned my life a little upside down
sitting here in a flare (been over a year-lucky me) and vertigo at the same time…back on meds for colitis ..taking Asacol..
I have been wondering over this weekend about trying this but I am confused some.
The fruits and vegetables etc that are allowed..most I cannot digest..does that make sense? for example…even in remission I cannot manage lettuce, apples, etc…and the list goes on…so if I eat them on the diet I can already fear going out of the house and the pain that comes from eating them…
had anyone started out like this? how did it work?
I have to work full time and I am my husband’s caregiver so I don’t have much room or time for trial and error…it’s bad enough now……..
@Tori – I totally understand where your at right now. We advocate that everyone uses our phases and they start with foods being cooked which helps digestibility. There are many people who never do well with lettuce and other greens… it’s just tough to digest. Please do not start SCD by just eating whatever is “legal” that is great way to make sure it won’t work for you. Use our free guide and our eBook which lays everything out step by step. We’ve helped well over 10,000 people get started and see results doing it our way.
Did you know that a side affect of Asacol is diarrhea?
I’m reading BTVC now and am seriously considering trying the diet. Does SCD work for people with gastropareisis and SIBO? I’ve just finished treatment for SIBO (2nd time I’ve had it). I have read that people with UC, Crohns and Celiac have had success with the diet but, I haven’t heard too much about people that GP and SIBO. Thanks!
@Lisa – Unfortunately Elaine isn’t with us anymore but we are convinced that a big part of the viscous cycle is SIBO. So yes SCD is created to treat SIBO. Dr. Siebecker has thoroughly investigated this and teaches other practitioners to follow SCD for SIBO. We do receive emails from people with gastroparesisis who see great results on the diet. In the end you will need to create a CUSTOM version for you. Food either helps or hurts. Nothing in-between.
We have a large garden, berry bushes, fruit trees, etc. I preserve much of that. Jams, jellies, etc have pectin and sugar. Given that we can’t use sugar on SCD, is there a way to preserve jams, jellies, fruits, etc without sugar that would be compliant with SCD? Also, since my tomatoe juice has only tomatoes and bottled lemon juice, will I still be able to use that or is the bottled lemon juice not allowed? As my garden was already growing before we found out we had to be on this SCD, I’m scrambling for way to preserve what I’ve got going. Any direction you can give would be appreciated.
@Laura – Sounds like the tomatoes are good to go. But for the fruit maybe you can just freeze it? Otherwise do some searching I’m sure there is a way to can fruits without adding sugars. That’s what our ancestors would have done if they couldn’t afford sugar (which was very pricy back in the day).
Laura you can preserve your fruits with honey. ‘Putting It Up With Honey’ on Amazon. I had this book a gazillion years ago and enjoyed the recipes. If you read the reviews a couple of people mention the SCD diet and how this book is great for that. Sorry I didn’t catch you in August during the harvest, but hopefully you’ve found your way to the right info already.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0930356136/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=3472718621&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17385212861152361876&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_93kis157vm_b
Hi, I have just made my first batch of scd yogurt tried and tested yesterday (small amount in morning and again in evening). I have woken up today feeling bloated and have a stomach ache and visited the toilet a few times. I used a starter that does not contain bifidus and I used cows milk. I am thinking of trying a freeze dried starter as I have read it might not cause me problems. What I want to know is, can it take a few days for your body to accept this scd yogurt and get used to it or should I listen to by body now and chuck it out and try the other starter?
Hi Karen, it can take a few days to get adjusted to it. Ramp up slowly. However, if you’re still having symptoms on day 4-5, then it’s probably the dairy itself. You might need to go dairy-free and take probiotics or eat other fermented foods like sauerkraut.
Here’s our probiotic recommendations:
http://scdlifestyle.com/2011/08/scd-probiotics-what-you-really-need-to-know/
In good health,
Jordan
Hi Jordan, thanks for that. I have been a bit reluctant to try it again so have used it to cook with instead! Would trying again and using goats milk instead of cows milk be a good idea? The only starter I could get hold of without bifidus here in the uk was organic sheep yogurt, I don’t know whether that could cause problems do you think?
@Karen – Goat’s milk or Sheep’s milk is usually tolerated better than cow’s.
Just found this website while researching for a friend. I’ve instinctively followed this diet, for the most part, for four years! Even before diagnosed as having celiac disease, I realized that wheat was causing eczema (all over my body at times) *and* asthma symptoms a few years ago (in my 40s). As soon as I figured out the cause, I went gluten-free (I had already been soy and sugar free for several years).
Occasionally, I experience cross-contamination (evidenced by a patch of eczema and wheezing a day or so after dining in a restaurant as I have no apparent gastric symptoms), but those instances aside, I have clear skin and clear breathing and feel better than I felt in the years before.
One question: I noticed you mention milk as a “don’t.” Though I was never a milk drinker as an adult, I started consuming raw (bovine) milk about a year ago after I incidentally discovered that when I experience cross-contamination, it both speeds up my skin’s healing and clears up my asthma… often in a matter of hours, whereas it used to take days or even weeks until I was clear. (Prior to that, I was diagnosed as lactose intolerant, but have no issues with raw milk.)
Any thoughts on that?
@Lisa – Thanks for stopping by glad you’ve figured out what works! Raw milk is much different biochemically than pasteurized, homogenized milks. It’s fat molecules are different, their is bacteria in it, enzymes in it that are normally killed during the pasteurization. But yes we’ve heard lots of stories of people like yourself seeing amazing benefits from consuming raw milk.
While in the middle of a flare, I gave this a try. I do not require maintenance medicine and normally my one flare a year is beaten into remission after a single prednisone taper and mesalamine. This diet works. Don’t doubt it, try it. I like the foods I can have but love the stuff I can’t. Andd after just two weeks I’ve gone from frequent diarrhea to solidish stools once a day. It’s worth the sleep and health benefit alone. I hope you give it a shot. It worked for me.
Awesome Jason, thanks for sharing your testimonial! I’d love to have you share it in a guest blog post if you’re willing.
Email us at jordanandsteve@scdlifestyle.com and let us know. I think it would help a lot of people.
Talk soon,
Jordan
Hi! I was just recently introduced to Elaine`s book and found you guys during my online search. I was diagnosed with UC in Dec of ’09, and am not very good at responding to conventional medications. I was on steroids for a year and a half before I got finally got off, and now am flaring again. But the thing I`m mainly concerned about right now is that I`m 11 weeks pregnant, and my body basically doesn’t know which way is up, one day I’m bleeding, and the next day I’m not… (which I`m told is `normal`). Well nothing about this is normal and I`m wondering if starting the SCD now, might be to much of a shock to my system? I’m rather intimidated by Elaine’s Book and didn’t know how to get started so I have been reading your intro book today. I’m scared yet I feel like this is something I have to do, I’m just not sure how to start or if I should be considering it right now based on my pregnancy. Thanks for any help in advance!
Hi Benita,
I know it must feel scary to have UC during a pregnany. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. I have a few links that might help.
The first is our interview with Amy from Roboranch: http://scdlifestyle.com/2010/11/specific-carbohydrate-diet-friends-spotlight-amy-from-roboranch/
The second is a podcast that is going live tomorrow 8/27, with Jessica, who credits SCD with allowing her to give birth to her son while dealing with Crohn’s. Check the website Monday for that URL.
You might benefit from a program that our friend, Chris Kresser, created for pregnant Mom’s: http://healthybabycode.com/signup
We’re here for you, let us know what we can do to help.
In good health,
Jordan
I have been wheat, soy, dairy free for 3 months but still having stomach problems. I eat gluten free bread for toast and rolls but these contain maize and other banned grains.
Found your website and seriously considering trying but I am a vegetarian, don’t eat fish or eggs! Substitute with chickpeas and lots of potatoes and can’t tolerate many nuts!
Am just concerned that I will struggle to find things to eat, be constantly hungry and lack nutrients?
Any tips please. Is this safe to follow as a vegetarian? Thanks.
Hi Nicola, we’ve had some experience fielding questions from vegetarians, but our material is not geared towards that lifestyle choice.
You can most certainly try our tips and substitute out many of the meats for other items, and we talk about that more on our blog.
Here’s three links you can review today that will help you:
1) Read about Cheryl Cravino’s SCD Success story, where she was starting out as a vegetarian:
http://scdlifestyle.com/2011/05/specific-carbohydrate-friends-cheryl-cravino/
2) Listen to a specific question we answer about SCD and vegetarian in podcast 21 (9:34 The myth that a vegetarian can’t follow SCD and what to try instead of meat – especially in the beginning)
http://scdlifestyle.com/2011/04/optimize-healing-and-feel-better-faster-podcast-21/
3) Read the comments from SCD’er vegetarians Elizabeth and most especially Jenny in this podcast comments section:
http://scdlifestyle.com/2011/04/optimize-healing-and-feel-better-faster-podcast-21/comment-page-1/#comments
I hope that helps you.
Jordan
Thanks will check them out
Hi
My son kinon (8yrs) is autistic. i am just planning to start this diet.
Anybody out there who has tried this for autism
Appreciate few comments of encouragement
Suhani
Hi Suhani, Pecanbread is a wonderful resource specific for children on the diet:
http://pecanbread.com/
You’ll really enjoy them, if you have any questions let us know and keep us posted.
In good health,
Jordan
I am wondering if it is safe to begin this diet while exclusively breastfeeding a young infant?
Hi, I’ve been on many different diets over the years after suffering from stomach issues. In the last year I started to feel better and found myself bringing sugars etc back in. All the stuff I’d been denying myself that I had been craving for so long. Then I found it extremely difficult to stop. Now I’m back to poor stomached health once again.
But after reading so much contradictory stuff on candida, celeriac, gluten, soy – no soy, frankly everything I read says something different. I’m tired of the preachy “we have the answer and everyone else is wrong approach”. So what makes this approach so different? Why is a restrictive diet that completely denies you any pleasure a good thing? As opposed to an 80/20 died of good to bad.
It seems everything I read is so depressing, basically saying that any joy I get from food I now have to stop
Some of this makes sense to me and some does not. So quinoa is a no-no but gin and vodka are fine?
12 years ago I had gastric bypass Roux-en-Y, lost 125 lbs and after this long have only gained back 10 lbs but since that day I have experienced so many gastric problems and am now just ready to stop eating everythign and begin with one item at a time for a month and then add another item. looking at your Sc diet seems a less drastic but possibly a good start.
I was told that with gastric bypass, the part of the intestine where many minerals and vitamins are most easily absorbed is bypassed. Because of this, I may have a deficiency in iron, calcium, magnesium, or vitamins. I was told malabsorbtion will be an issue and will need checking often.
My problems have been diaheria/ soft almost white colored stool every day( malabsorption), Gas is incredibly painful and is always there and you can feel it moving around and hear it as well at anytime of day or night. I sometimes eat foods that make me have pain and then I start vomitting. I have not been able to pin point which foods do this. Recently I have had what my doctor has called excema. I believe it is more food related and am truly considering trying SCD. I have removed tomatoes as Ithought it was a trigger for me but it proved not to be, I have tried removing dairy which proved to be near impossible and gluten ( for the gas problem)
Do you know if there has ever been any issues with people like me after this surgery who are doing the SC Diet?
I have a daughter who is almost 3 who suffered from colic at birth and now has eczema. She is allergic to dairy, eggs, peanuts, almonds, sunflower butter, orange juice, and apple sauce. During the summer her skin looks great but during winter it gets rashes and itches a lot. I think she has a leaky gut. So it makes sense for her to follow a diet like this. But because she is only 3 she can only have about 16 grams of protein a day?
She loves carbs. I am having a hard time knowing what to feed her to help her to be healthy and heal her gut. Should she stay away from all carbohydrates besides fruit, vegetables, and beans? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks so much!!
My daughter has been battling “unspecific colitis” and c-diff since February 2012. The doc calls what she has Crohn’s when we are in the office based on quite a bit of testing/findings. She is in constant pain, the meds she’s on don’t seem to be helping; diarrhea up to 15-20 times a day and then to top it all off finds herself in the ER being told that she’s constipated. I have to believe that some of this could possibly be controlled or remedied by diet, however, quite a few of the items on the legal list her body isn’t handling and I’m scared to throw her into yet one more thing to try – she’s exhausted and feeling quite beaten by all of this – she’s only 16 and just wants to feel normal & pain free again!!
I would probably become underweight and/or broke on this diet, unfortunately. Not sure if I have gluten intolerance, but possibly gluten sensitivity. I also have Gilbert’s Syndrome (which makes it harder for me to digest fat) and have had bad gut flora since birth due to being born by c-section and my mother was not able to produce breast milk so I was only fed on (some) breast milk a few days after birth (from another mother in the hospital), and on baby formula after that. Which means I never got the gut flora or a proper dose of the genetic information from colostrum in the breast milk.
Basically I can eat tons of food and not gain any weight. If I’d skip white rice and potatoes for calories, then I’d have to eat ungodly amounts of vegetables and meat or start dropping in weight. Believe me I’ve tried.
Also, why are almonds and other nuts on that list? They contain antinutrients too, you know.
I’ve been checking into the specific carbohydrate diet. Why is spelt a problem? I have been encourged by my physician to look into “The Maker’s Diet” which allows spelt and brown rice in small quantities. My own research has brought me here and am looking for more information. Thanks!
@Amy – Spelt is a species of wheat which mean’s it contains toxic prolamine’s like gluten. The SCD does NOT allow grains due to their toxin load which is very hard for anyone who has a damaged gut (they increase inflammation). All I can say is try our version of it for 30 days and I doubt you’ll think about trying the makers diet.
I have suffered for years from IBS-d. In the past 4 months I have started making and consuming Kefir – about 1 1/2 cups per day. Would that be allowed on this diet?
Thanks so much for all the help you are offering fellow sufferers.
@Marg – It’s kind of a grey zone, but if you know it’s helping you then by all means don’t stop. However if you haven’t observed or measured a betterment than it’s likely you need to stop all dairy and use the protocol we outline in our eBook. then once you’ve gotten to your “feel good zone” you can test it again and you’ll find out real fast if you body is a fan or not.
Sorry, I should have said that I am consuming Kefir cows milk as there are other variations available.
At age 64, after being diagnosed with Celiacs, went gluten free 7 months ago. Blood tests confirmed my strict adherence to GF diet when tested after 3 months on the GF diet, my numbers went way down. But GI symptoms continued…..dug in for answers and discovered SCD on the internet. Only one week into it and I cannot believe the dramatic change in my body’s response! Am NOT loving the pureed veggies and may soon move more quickly into Phase 3, and just cook them well (?) but I am amazed and almost pinching myself to see if this could be true healing!! I feel more like I now remember I USED to feel – but think it was such a gradual decline that I had accepted it as my NEW NORMAL…. thanks for giving me hope that even adults diagnosed with Celiacs CAN not just get better numbers, but have healed intestines!!
Oh my , spoke too soon and got too cocky….tried taking my probiotics and vitamin d yesterday for first time as well as eating a banana……return of the GI problems, tho with less ferocity. Am backing off now with foods obviously, but when do I try the supplements again safely?
@Nancy – a good rule of thumb is to wait a few days.
Hi, Just discovered your site. I’ve been doing my own elimination diet for 4 years to get rid of various symptoms including muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, esophagus inflammation, fatigue, brain fog, etc. What I wound up with is awfully close to your diet, except that I have to avoid all beans as well (too starchy), and all sugars (fruit and wine included) seem to create sugar cravings later. Three questions: 1) how does the SCD relate to the GAPS diet advertised elsewhere? 2) will certain food sensitivities (tomatoes/eggplant/peppers, all dairy including yogurt, coffee/chocolate – all making symptoms worse – get better over time? 3) Why on earth is everyone touting the Mediterranean diet, which includes all of those grains and beans? BTW, have yet to run into any doctor or alternative medicine person in our area who even knows about this. I’ve had to figure it all out myself, and people are mystified when I tell them about it, as if I am crazy.
@K. Date – welcome to the site, we are huge advocates of creating the custom diet that best helps your health and compliments the lifestyle you choose. Over time most of the food sensitivities can be overcome as the root causes are healed up (bacterial overgrowth, yeast, parasites, hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, leaky gut etc). We’ve seen it in our health and many we’ve talked too. I’ll be doing a SCD vs GAPS post soon.
Hi! I am on SCD diet and lactose intolerant. Our diet requires making your own yogurt what I tried to make from goat milk with 24 and even 48 hours of fermentation but still had the reaction. Then for 9 month I was making yogurt from almond milk what I was making myself also. Two weeks ago I tried to make yogurt from lactose free milk and love it! Unfortunately our diet does not allow drinking lactose free milk: “…The rate of flow of galactose to the liver when one drinks lactose hydrolyzed milk is high. With lactose hydrolyzed milk, you are ingesting the two sugars: glucose and galactose at the same time. Note: Lactaid Milk is Lactose Hydrolyzed Milk…”
I am searching the internet and trying to find the answer for my question:” Even Lactose free milk is not allowed on SCD diet can we still make yogurt from it? As I understand that glucose and galactose are eaten by yogurt bacteria during fermentation any way.
Thank you.
@ tantija – What if it’s not about the lactose? That’s what Elaine didn’t know or didn’t comment on. But recent research and plenty of years of anecdotal evidence tells us that it is likely the proteins in milk that are the biggest problem. At this point your time would probably be better served getting probiotics from other fermented sources like sauerkraut.
Thank you, Steven. So does it mean that proteins in the milk and in the lactose free milk are different? I am trying to find the reason. The book was written many years ago. After two days of research I can see that there is no mentioning of any side effects from lactose free milk on the internet. I do agree that lactose free milk is potentially dangerous for the liver but trying to find the answers regarding the yogurt made from lactose free milk. What is happening with the glucose and galactose during the yogurt fermentation?
Unfortunately, sauerkraut is not a right thing for me. I came from the country where it’s very popular and I love it but firstly it is very difficult to digest cabbage for me and secondly it gives me a lo-o-ot of gas.
@Tantija – nope the proteins in both milks are the same. Usually to make lactose free milk the company just uses microbes to eat the lactose and then back fills the milk with some other kind of sugar. Which is why it’s not allowed on SCD. If foods aren’t an option for probiotics then try supplements.
…and that is where Kefir has to be legal. The grains consume the lactose and break down the protein in milk at the same time. I cannot handle lactose free milk or cheese but Kefir gives me no problem in small but gradually increasing amounts.
i make coconut kefir using coconut milk. cannot tolerate dairy but this stuff tastes great.
Hi, I am finding your site most helpful. I’ve purchased some organic apple cider vinegar and some digestive enzymes with betaine hydrochloride in(400mg) which I’ve started as of yesterday to take with each meal. I also got diagnosed with IBS nearly 3 years ago after a bad gastro, which ever since then I have diarrhea almost all the time and I’m sensitive to so many foods its not funny. Today I decided to do the SCD but started off with breakfast of a protein shake, tasted nice but oh dear its made me feel so sick and ill, really bad nausea. The ingredients are huge but could be the soy or whey in it. Can you please suggest some breakfast options for me, I can’t tolerate eggs and find if I have say just chicken for breakfast I get terrible acid reflux and that burning sensation. I have breakfast once at work so need something to eat obviously that I can tolerate. Would appreciate your advise and also what your thoughts are on protein shakes.
You’re in the right place Debi! Here’s what I ate for breakfast for a really long time:
http://scdlifestyle.com/2011/03/what-to-eat-for-breakfast-on-scd/
Also, you might need more betaine HCL than that with protein heavy meals, test it down the road.
In good health,
Jordan
My has just been told he has a leaking gut can you please help us we have no idea what food eat can you please give us a list f the good foods and the bad foods.
Coud you please emai us as soon as possible
Thanking you,
Franca Perfetto.
Hi Franca, I’m here for you.
Please download our free quick start guide and try this diet for 30-days, you’ll never look back:
http://scdlifestyle.com/scd-quick-start-guide/
In good health,
Jordan
Hi Steven,
lactose free milk does not contain any added sugars. Lactose free milk tastes sweeter because “…an enzymes are added to the milk to break down lactose to glucose and galactose. As nothing else is added or removed, what you get is the nutritional benefits and great taste of regular milk just without the lactose…”
I have been on Paleo for about 2 months now but not strictly. I was comparing SCD with Paleo. They are pretty much the same but with slight differences. Tomorrow I am going to give up coffee with the cream. I have to finish some soy yogurts. I’ll give soy up afterwards. After that I am pretty much clear.
Hi Mercedes, great to hear from you.
We think of SCD like Paleo’s little brother. It’s more restrictive to help those of us with gut problems heal, and then we like to see people graduate from SCD to full paleo after they stop their symptoms… it took me about 1.5 years to graduate to full paleo.
In good health,
Jordan
Hi Jordan
It’s good to hear you’re on full Paleo now – does that include all the nightshades, nuts, eggs etc? And what about dairy? (I realise that’s not strictly paleo) Are you OK with that too? (Just trying to give myself some inspiration to aim at
Cheers
Roger
Hi Steven:
My girlfriend and I have been doing the SCD for a little more than a year now, and we are happy to have found your website. I had a question about cross-contamination. This may also build on Ms. Frank’s question up above.
In regard to some of the things we are looking to avoid, to what extent should we worry about cross-contamination? For example, when we go to a restaurant, we are always concerned that (although we ask) an omelette will be prepared with a soy-based cooking spray. Or that even if the kitchen makes a good faith effort to use olive oil, that there may exist some residue from the soy-based cooking spray. Additionally, should we worry that they may use a knife that had previously cut a potato?
We are doing our best to be consistent, and it is definitely paying off. Are we being too paranoid? Any information you could provide on the matter of cross-contamination would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Christopher, congrats on doing the diet with your Gfriend, keep working hard. As a Celiac, I’m very concerned about Gluten Cross-Contamination, but everyone is different. Someone with severe leaky gut will likely react to small amounts of contamination.
At a restaurant, ask for it to be prepared in a clean pan on it’s own with only olive oil and you should be fine
In good health,
Jordan
Great website – and I’m going to try to move towards SCD! I’ve given up sugar, soy and don’t use any oils other than butter, olive oil and coconut oil. And I’ve been gluten free 12 years.
Just wanted to put in a plug for stevia as I noticed it being described as a no-no earlier because of maltodextrin in the packets. I grow stevia in my garden and use the fresh leaves as a sweetener (to be honest, I don’t like the taste of sugar very much, so it’s more as a condiment). It’s very easy to grow. Is the plant form of stevia forbidden as well?
My biggest issue is poor mineral (and probably vitamin) absorption. I am in good health at the moment because I take double the daily dose of a range of minerals – and they all have to be taken away from each other to maximise absorption. Being able to improve my absorption would be worth the pain of losing my morning toast (always accompanied with protein) – but it will be a challenge. I’ve known for some time now that it’s what I have to do to ensure that I thrive.
Thanks!
@Ocolet- Thanks for the comment. Stevia is not SCD legal but at the highest levels we are proponents of creating a custom diet that works for your optimal health and lifestyle. Give SCD a 60 day try and I bet you’ll never fell better!
I was diagnosed with celiacs disease at age 32 and a colonoscopy showed I have spastic colon, a few pockets of diberticulitus and am also lactose intolerant to dairy and casein, whey. I am 35 and have been following a GFD and lactose free diet for almost 4 years now. The doctors thought it was possible that I’ve had it since I was a kid. As a child i had lots of problems with baby food and many other foods and they said back then, that I had food allergies. At age 32 I finally decided to get checked and see why I was constantly going and why I was always sick and having many other of the symptoms. That’s when they found celiacs amongst the other stuff I mentioned above. I have been taking certain probiotics, powder fiber, Hemp protein, Vitamins E, D, calcium and vitamin C almost everyday since. I have been in and out of the hospital and get sick pretty easy. Don’t know if my immune system is up to par and still have diahrrea, bloating, have had bouts with constipation, gas and discomfort and pain in the intestinal area. Recently I was just put on a diet for oxalate due to having kidney stones constantly. which I was told was related to celaics and have laid off salt as well, due to the stones. And have recently been put on miralax to take daily because of constipation problems in the past. I’ve read your SCD diet and it sounds promising. Because these diets alone don’t seem to be working on improving everything. I can relate to your story because there have been many days where I’ve thought I’ve missed an ingredient I wasn’t supposed to have or cross contamination etc. I do well in working with my doctor and gastroenologist in getting my blood checked so often to see where all my levels are at, along with checking thyroid, sugar levels and such. To make sure I am not lacking anything. Just don’t know why I keep having the symtoms I do. But sounds like adding the SCD diet could help. Not sure about the miralax or powder fiber either. I know they can both cause one to have more frequent runs to the bathroom. What would you suggest? Anything I should try to eliminate? And would adding the SCD diet benefit me? And what about anything with corn? Could that be faring me up as well? I have eaten GF spaghetti made from corn and other corn derived things. It’s all hard to know what to back track on and look at as what it could be and what to reduce or eliminate completely at this point.
You’re amazing Paul, you’ve been through so much.
I’d highly recommend you start by reading two articles I wrote, first one here:
http://scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/the-gluten-free-lie-why-most-celiacs-are-slowly-dying/
And this second one that explains what the ideal Celiac diet is:
http://scdlifestyle.com/2012/04/the-toxic-truth-about-gluten-free-food-and-celiac-disease/
I think that will explain everything,
Jordan
Thanks Jordan. Very informative. You Def. know your stuff. I do have a few more questions. If I begin the SCD diet, which it sounds like I should, anything grain and sugar has to be cut out? Based on what I’ve read that’s what I’m getting. Just wanted make sure I do it right the first time around, no room for errors. And another question, is natural and artificial flavors unsafe for people with celiacs? No one else seems to know and I’ve asked many.
Thanks again for all the help,
Paul
@Paul – You got it right, no grains or sugars other than honey. And if your looking to make super fast heal progress cutting out all natural and artificial flavors will really help. We walk you through how to start SCD, how to not make common mistakes, and how to see the fastest results in our eBook http://scdlifestylebook.com if your interested.
Thanks Steven. You and Jordan have been a huge help. I’ll be getting started on that diet ASAP! Be great to feel good again.
Hi,
Thank you for all this information, it is a lot to take in. my naturopath has suggested I try this SCD diet. I have a lot of bowel issues and have been in and out of hospital with it for the last twelve years. Since my last stint in hospital this year in July, I have not recovered and now have chronic fatigue. I am fructose intolerant, as well as intolerant to milk protein, peanuts, beetroot, cane sugar, olives, black pepper and sweet potato. I can also only tolerate a small amount of activated almonds and pecans and can definitely not tolerate almond meal. Therefore, I am a little worried that if i take out quiona and buckwheat I will have very little left to eat. I would be most appreciative if you could give me some idea
Thank you
@Gigi – Your fears are normal and all part of making any diet change. You just have to commit and go for it.
I have have digestive issues for at least 7 years now. It started with gas, bloating and cramping after a big meal . For sure after a big steak . I could deal with that. But then this spring / all summer I started to get sick like a cold one week then flu like symptoms. Then another cold. Finally in July on vacation I found myself very constipated. Then after returning home seemed to get somewhat regular again.And then started to feel a achy burning sensation in my left upper quadrant and lower back. This made me feel awful. Very fatigued. Very anxious. I went to three differant doctors. One did do a blood test and said I am slightly anemic, but why? I kept feeling worse to the point I did not want to get off the couch all day. I am 44 with two little kids so it was awful. Finally one sunday I felt so bad I went to the ER. They did a x -ray and said my colon was packed . Take some laxatives and more fiber and I will be fine. I did get cleaned out the next day and slowy felt better. But I have been taking Citrucel fiber everyday for two months now and overall think it has worked well. I take B-12 , ACV twice a day mainly for GERD which I get sometimes, and recently more yogert and started Betaine HCL. At first the Betaine seemed to really help with the way I felt. But now two weeks into it I seemed to slip backwards. I have some lower back pain and its harder to go to the bathroom and mild fatigue. I have been going every morning and with the Citucel fiber ,its a lot ,and easy. But the last few days its much harder to go and today not at all. Is it the yogurt? The Betaine? Or? Should I continue the Citrucel? Two of my Docs say yes. I did the baking soda stomach test three days in a row with no burp. Do you think I have a mild case of Candida? IBS-C? Docs cant tell me but this has been a nightmare. Thanks for any help. Todd
Hi Todd – you’ve been through so much, you’re amazing!
I’d look at your diet and make changes if you’re still eating grains/sugar. This IBS-C article will really help:
http://scdlifestyle.com/2011/10/ibs-c-naturally-heal-constipation/
In good health,
Jordan
I was wondering when it comes to Natural Flavors, even if they are found in ingredients that are still labeled Gluten free, is it still something that should be cut out for the GF or SCD diets? I buy a gluten free bread from a store about a half hr away, if that bread is made with sugar in it does that have to be cut out for the SCD as well? Even if it’s little sugar? And I see the SCd diet is alot about eating fruit and vegetables, I know fruit can make sugar in the body so is fruit safe on the SCD diet?
Thanks again,
Paul Fesetch
Hi Paul, if you’re still sick on a GF diet, the sugar will feed Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. I’d highly recommend you check out this podcast with Dr. Siebecker:
http://scdlifestyle.com/2011/08/how-to-tell-if-you-have-small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth-and-what-to-do-about-it-scd-podcast-25/
In good health,
Jordan
Thanks, Jordan. Appreciate all the advice and the help.
I don’t know if you can help with me this. I got BTVC and started SCD diet and it helps with pain (scratching, stabbing feeling of stool) and blood. They are essentially gone, but what remains is going to the bathroom several times a day usually between 6-15 times. It’s not diarrhea. It’s just very very small and I have to strain on top of it. The very very small amount each time accounts for why I have to go so many times a day. I haven’t been able to get past this and I’ve been doing the diet correctly for a couple of months. Also, now on my 4th day with no honey and stopped nuts and fruit for over a week. Honey was tough one to give up after everything else that was stopped. I think nuts were giving me a problem with bleeding. When I was doing nuts and seeds (not scd legal) in the past, was doing 1-2 times a day full bowel movements every other day, but straining like crazy and very painful during and after. 25g-30g insoluble fiber may make things a little softer but BIG. Recently started SCD yogurt, I think it relaxes stomach problems. Not sure where to go from here. Any advice?
I’m just looking into your program, but I don’t understand why sweet potato and white potato are on the do not eat list. I have gastroparesis and am very sensitive to wheat products and can only tolerate raw veggies in moderation. Potatoes seem to be a safe food for me. Why are you saying not to eat them?
Hi Kristina,
“Safe Starches” like sweet potato are not part of SCD in the beginning. We believe most people can “graduate” to a full Paleo style diet that does include them, but in the beginning most of us have Small Intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). If you have SIBO, eating safe starches will feed the bad bacteria. It’s important to get rid of the bacterial overgrowth before introducing safe starches and testing them out.
This will help: http://scdlifestyle.com/2011/08/how-to-tell-if-you-have-small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth-and-what-to-do-about-it-scd-podcast-25/
In good health,
Jordan
Gotcha. I’m a pediatric nurse practitioner and I work with pediatric patients who have short bowel syndrome or have had small bowel transplants and am very familiar with bacterial overgrowth. Nasty stuff that can cause major issues in these kids. Makes sense that it can happen to all of us if we aren’t careful. Thanks.
Hi. Could someone offer me some help please? I’ve been on the specific carbohydrate diet since April 2012 following my second Crohn’s resection operation. In that time my body has cleansed at a dramatic rate to a point where most of my bloods returned to normal and the ESR markers also returned to normal levels.
In October I began eating white fish and chicken on the advice of my GP who was concerned about my weight which had dived to 65kg (I’m 6ft 2 inches – 183 cms) so am now underweight.
What I found when beginning to eat meat again was I experienced some cramping in my large bowel. Reducing the meat & fish portions significantly improved this. I’ve also begun cooking with Almonds although since beginning this last week I’ve felt dreadful.
I’m struggling a bit at the moment and wondered if anyone could answer any of my questions:
1. Does having a shorter small bowel (9ft as opposed to 21ft) mean that I should eat small and often and minimise foods that could be soil for putrefactive bacteria i.e. protein.
2. Is it common for people to have an intolerance to Almonds? Being a protein could it be that my small bowel is struggling to break this form of protein down?
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
Dave Morgan
Hi Dave, it’s very common for many of us to struggle with nuts/nut flours. You may not ever tolerate them.
As you have problems with meat, consider reading about low stomach acid. That could be the source of your problems:
http://scdlifestyle.com/2012/06/hypochlorhydria-3-common-signs-of-low-stomach-acid/
In good health,
Jordan
Does anyone know if it’s okay to eat the SCD yogurt right after the 24 hour fermentation process is completed? or is it better (in terms of probiotics) to let it get cold in refrigerator overnight?.. or is there no difference, just taste?
I don’t think it’s a problem to eat it warm when it’s just finished.
Jordan
I see that you suggest sucrose should be eliminated from ones diet. How can this be done when fruit (apple for instance) contains sucrose? Also, many diets suggest the elimination of certain foods, but what I rarely see in dietary guides is the reduction of certain foods. Is there a reason for this “all or nothing” approach to these foods?
The goal is to starve out the small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Over the counter sucrose (table sugar) should be eliminated to support this.
There are some amounts of sucrose in fruits, but they tend to be tolerated.
Jordan
hey,,,i was going to gym from last 3 years and i was following protein diet.5 months ago i suffered diarhea since then i am not able to eat protein diet when ever i eat protein diet i feel gas,constipation.help me.which diet should i follow?
Sounds like classic low stomach acid. Please read this:
http://scdlifestyle.com/2012/06/hypochlorhydria-3-common-signs-of-low-stomach-acid/
Jordan
Hi,
I´m newcommer in SCD knowledge and living in Sweden. Not much to read about this in Sweden unfortunately so I´m so grateful for all your tips.
I´m wondering about glucose.
I don´t understand if its ok or not?
In Sweden its often in frozen meats for example. Maybe as a preservativ – don´t really know…
Also – is lactose free products not ok?
Hi Marie, welcome!
Glucose will feed small intestinal bacteria if you have an overgrowth, so avoid it if you can. However, if you can’t, it is the most easily absorbed sugar. If you don’t tolerate dairy at all, even lactose-free diary products will still cause problems due to the casein protein it contains.
Keep us posted on how you’re doing.
Jordan
Hi again,
Thanks for the quick reply.
Regarding lactose free products. I think I tolerate milk but Elaine says no milk what so ever cause it contains lactose ( hope I got that right)
My conclusion then is that maybe lactosefree dairyproducts would be ok and naturally the scd yoghurt. ??
Just breaking the ice on this and paleo information and I was wondering if the approach has been known to help those with Hashimotos. My naturopath suggested starting with gluten free but the more I look at paleo and this the more it makes sense to drop grains all together. I scrolled through the comments but didn’t see anything so thought I would ask. Thank you for having such a good selection of information! I feel like I am lost wandering the Internets with the paleo information sometimes.
@Darby – Yes Hashimotos is a autoimmune condition and SCD is designed to rebuild the gut using a toxin free and low allergenic foods. There are lots of people using Paleo for Hashimotos and SCD is just a digestive repair version of it.
Thank you for replying! Looks like I am off on a new adventure.
Question: I’m almost positive that squash has starch in it. In fact, I’ve just looked up a paper that actually studied the structure of amylose and amylpectin in several cultivars of winter squashes. I’m skeptical about the idea that this diet eliminates complex carbs entirely, does not seem possible given that most vegetables contain some amount of starch. I’m currently in Phase 1 of the diet and am mostly living off of squash and plain meat, but it occurred to me that there was no way that squash was 100% monosaccharides. Can anyone comment on this?
I was wondering about winter squash too. It is a food that causes gas in me because of the starch. I love butternut and acorn squash, but really had to cut it way down even rotate it every fourth day. It still causes gas, but Elaine said it was easy to digest so I kept eating, growing, freezing and preserving it.
Any suggestions for someone with UC AND milk protien allergy. I’m concerned about the yogurt. Does this diet still work without the yogurt? Or can it be made with something millk protien free..like coconut milk?
If you can’t do dairy, like I couldn’t – take supplements: http://scdlifestyle.com/2011/08/scd-probiotics-what-you-really-need-to-know/
Jordan
I’m pretty sure I have low stomach acid, but I take 325 mg of aspirin a day. Anytime I eat protein meals (like the intro chicken soup) which I stewed for about 36hrs in its own broth then added the carrot puree. I added turmeric and garlic(cloves) in the carrot puree. And anytime I eat the soup I feel like I have a million lbs of food in my stomach for the next 10 hrs. I was only able to eat once yesterday because of this. I had to take another Lasix to get rid of some excess water just so I could feel less discomfort. Just ate it again today with the grape gelatin. Walked and exercised a bit afterwards still feel like bricks are in my stomach 4 hrs later.
I drink about 2 Tbps of ACV with half a lemon in a small amount of hot water with a ginger tea bag. And it doesn’t seem to help. The Betaine did, but obviously while on aspirin I can’t take it.
I have PLE from a heart surgery I had years ago. I’m on coumadin,lasix,lisinprol,aspirin and digoxin. I was on anti-acids because anytime I ate for the last two months I would get really gassy, specially in my throat. Lots of throat bubbles. Had zero heart burn though. So I’m trying this SCD. I read about die-off.
hello ….i feel acidity after eating protein diet..any suggestions?
Sure start by reading this post -> http://scdlifestyle.com/2012/06/hypochlorhydria-3-common-signs-of-low-stomach-acid/
Hi,
I have had UC for three years and was recently told to try the SCD. However, I have been a vegetarian my whole life and I do not eat eggs. I see that soy is not allowed and I am fairly certain that most meat substitutes are made with either grains or soy or both and I would love some suggestions for a protein that I could use instead of meat in the meat recipes.
Thank you,
Sundari
I have restless leg and had apparently a parasite infection 18 months ago. Never had a problem with GI before that. The parasites were hard to eradicate and 4 courses of antibiotics later, they seem to be gone but I am still having the rls and GI problems. That is until 2 weeks ago. I started SCD and wow! So much better. But now for the past 2-3 days, the GI problems seems to be back. It seems like every thing I add besides chicken and carrots causes problems. Is this normal? I am losing a lot of weight that I did not have to lose.
Hi, I’m from Croatia and I have 2 and half years old son with sensory integration disorder. He is 3 months on SCD diet but we can’t completely rid of diarrhea. He drinks apple juice and almond milk, and eats soup, meat, eggs, cooked vegetables, ripe bananas and apples, bread from almond flour, ghee, bacon, etc. He doesn’t eat any dairy products. What are we doing wrong?
@Ivana – Likely nothing sounds like he needs to get fully checked for all Gut pathogens. If he has a parasite or other infection the diet won’t kill it you’ll need bigger help.
I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease this June, as was my 5 year old son. My oldest son, age 8, tested negative, but had already been gf for over 9 months, so we think he most likely has CD too. My oldest son also has Tourettes Syndrome (diagnosed at age 5). We have no family history of this disorder.
I’m very interested in this diet, but feel like I don’t have the willpower to do it myself, much less with my boys. GF seems hard enough on them! How will I ever get them away from sugar and grains? ! I know it will be hard and that it will be worth it though.
Just a quick question? Do you think the tics/Tourettes could be related to his gut issues? The more I’m reading I’m thinking his diet is playing a huge role. Since going strictly gf, the tics have subsided greatly, but they are still there and his focus/hyperactivity/inappropriate behavior for his age are abysmal! We’ve made a lot of progress in our diets over the past year, but obviously have a long way to go. Any tips for starting this diet with kids? and for a coca cola addicted mom?
@Courtney – I bet you and the family has a massive health change in 2013 if you can eat only real foods for 60 days. I think in this case the easiest thing is to start with a meal like breakfast. And make it SCD/Paleo from here going forward. As they adapt then change dinner. etc. The other thing is you’ll have to be the big strong mama bear and lay down the law. No ifs or buts about it. The sugar cravings can be signs of gut pathogens or hormonal imbalances especially in your case. If you want more help we are now helping people one-on-one with these types of problems. Email us at JordanandSteve@scdlifestyle.com
Hi Steve,
We started SCD last year to deal with IBS, and since then we have found that it’s had a significant, POSITIVE impact on our whole family’s ADD, bloating, growing pains (weird, right?), Tourette’s and migraines. We’ve also all changed body shape COMPLETELY and have loads more energy. Some days it is hard to convince a 10 year old and a 7 year old that they’re the only ones who can’t have cake and crisps at a birthday party, but the week of headaches, nausea, depression, exhaustion, bloating, cramps, and chronic Tourette’s tics that follows a single “cheat” day has been enough to convince all of us that this lifestyle is NON-NEGOTIABLE. Even as young as they are, my kids are learning what’s good for them, and it makes me proud to be the one who’s teaching them that!
- Vanessa
Hi. My daughter sufers from Crohn’s and has been on this diet for a long time, and it’s great. Now she is on anti depressants due to post partum depression. It seems to be affecting her, and her stomach is acting up. Any suggestions? Thank you for an informative site.
I have all sorts of problems connected to chronic inflammation, so this is interesting. I cannot stand the taste of fermented foods, however. They are sour and/or bitter, and are gross. Give me carbs – white, sweet or salty, delicious carbs; a few different vegetables, and plenty of meat. Can the diet work for me if I don’t eat fermented foods?
Yes, you can take probiotics instead. Read our recommendations here:
http://scdlifestyle.com/2011/08/scd-probiotics-what-you-really-need-to-know/
Jordan
HELP! I have just started eating this diet but I need calories and do not seem to get enough – I have lost a lot of weight on the road to starting this diet (celiac) and seriously need a huge caloric intake that does not seem to be part of this diet. To be honest I do not yet have the book but it is on order. I am just not able to cope on meat and vegetables – any advice?? Heaps of thanks
Start here:
http://scdlifestyle.com/2010/07/are-you-starving-yourself-on-the-specific-carbohydrate-diet/
Jordan
Has anyone with chronic hives found any connection with low stomach acid? If so, have the HCl supplements helped?
Hi Diane, check out Histamine Intolerance:
http://chriskresser.com/headaches-hives-and-heartburn-could-histamine-be-the-cause
Jordan
My mother is diabetic (since 1972) and is having MAJOR intestinal issues. She is going #2 sometimes 15 times..basically all day & all night. Anything she eats “goes right through her” – the colonoscopy did not show anything abnormal & she is at her wits end. She was raised during the great depression, where all they ate was carbs and she still has that carb addiction that, to no avail, I have tried to get her to break (toast in the morning, sandwich for lunch, pasta for dinner, etc.). This diet sounds a lot like an Atkins diet (minus the cured/processed meats) that I have already tried (and failed) to get her to go on in the past, but now she is at the point of desperation as the diarrhea just won’t let up and nothing else is helping her. I’m going to suggest this diet – no, I’m going to insist on it – I’m just not sure what to do for a diabetic as far as sweeteners go? She drinks tea with some sweetener – she uses 1/2 packet of sweet & low, but I have Nectresse here – is that better? She refuses to go without sweetener & doesn’t like honey. Thank you.
Some of us have a problem with fructose, and this means eliminating many of the foods on the scd list, especially honey. One can order dextrose over the internet. I have bought some and it is definitely not as sweet as sucrose, so I do not think it is adulterated with any sucrose, I think it is pure glucose. This should be acceptable should it not? Another question, Lactaid milk is supposed to be 100% lactose free, why is this not allowed?
I am very interested in the SCD diet. I am Celiac DQ2 and DQ8 along with my teenage children. I suffered from Graves disease in addition until Thyroid Cancer was finally diagnosed resultingin a total thyroidectomy. I find the only challenge being the fact that we are Casein intolerant and Vegan. I’m not sure how to accomodate the restriction on Soybeans and Chickpeas? I can handle the remaining plant-based restrictions. Please lend andy suggestions you have.
Hi jordan,. please help,
this side shanky i have just visited this site, I was looking for SCD diet so here i have just read some reviews
i have figured out that my diet is 40%similar like SCD
so, the reason i want to start SCD diet to heal my anal fistula, on november 2011 i noticed that i got perianal absscess, after some days abcess got burst and it becomes fistula so i got this from more that 1year, as jordan i dont wanna go with any surgery because fear that if i lost control on my bowels movenments??
So i dropped that idea and waiting for to heal it by it’s own, but from last 1month i m drinking hot after in morning, and i dont know how but from last several wks i can notice that it is healing by it’s own,
like its still little bit pus comes out, but its much better than past which ruind my life, and now the fistula opening is also almost closed and littile bit pimple like swallow left that there it is very small
i just wanna ask that if i start this diet, will it be easy for fistula to heal by it’s own,
well i dont think that i have any crohn’s disease, i know that i have got this infection because of hard stools
so not i m taking care of my digestion and i have normal stools and eating healthy things
so will this annoying fistula wil go or heal,? (sorry for the bad english)
thank you guy’s
shanky’
My husband has severe crohns. We bought breaking the viscious cycle and have already began adapting this diet into his routine. We are hoping for the best! I was also wondering if this lifestyle change would be very healthy to do during pregnancy. I want to switch over to it and have already cut out all proceesed foods. I just want to make sure i’ll have all the nutrients i need to carry a baby.
Hi Steven and Jordan! I am not sure if anyone has posted this before, as I didn’t read through all of the posts. I have the H-Pylori bacteria, and the antibiotics my doctor prescribed didn’t completely get rid of it. Could this plan work for me?
Hi Angela, it will definitely support your gut health and give you the foundation you need to heal.
You might benefit from working together with us 1-on-1. You can learn more here:
http://scdlifestyle.com/consulting/
In good health,
Jordan
Hi, My husband has Type 1 Diabetes (which seems to be under control), but is sick a lot (fatigue, headaches, minor stomach issues, and just generally not feeling good). I was wondering if this diet might work to clear up some of these problems and/or has anyone tried this with Diabetes? I just downloaded the free material, but it doesn’t mention Diabetes… I really want to help him get well! Thanks!
Our mum has ulcerous ulcerous colitis & she is under the acupuncture treatment,she is satisfied but she is still has bloody diarrhea specially when she eats some foods,she gets worst.
You said in the site that the UC patients can eat eggplant ,but when she eats she get worst & also about vegetables & fruits ,our mum cant eat them.
Nasi & Nafi
Our #1 principle is that each person creates their own custom diet. We don’t say you can or cannot eat anything. Instead we give you logical rules and the latest food science to make the best choices on what to eat.
Hi,
So which are the allowed carbohydrates?
Hi, just wondering if Colloidal Silver is also ok for Candida/leaky gut?
Hi!
I heard on your latest podcast that the question queu was emtpy, so I have one for you. I have had stomach issues for a long time and have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I am female and in my 40′s. I started following the SCD diet without dairy last December because just eliminating gluten didn’t do it for me. I do wonderful on it, EXCEPT all of a sudden, I am spiraling down and all is out of whack again. Not sure why. I am currently back to meat and broth. Here is my question, when my digestion is out of whack I have CHEST PAIN. I have NO HEART ISSUES, I went several times to the ER with chest pain, I have had bloodwork, CT’s, ultrasound, stress test, done, all negative, I have NO HEART issues, but when my digestion is messed up, I am having this stabbing pain in my heart as If I am having a heart attack. I am ASSUMING this is the case because of the large bowel bend in that same area. But here is my question, how can I quickly relieve that pain? Is there anything I can take to undo that pressure? I tried gas pills, apple cidar vinegar, Betaine HC, I am taking enzymes and probiotics already. Any other suggestions? Thank you!
@Sabine – try adding more salt to your diet and also getting your hormones checked. We can help 1-on-1 here if you want -> http://scdlifestyle.com/consulting/
Hi Jordan,
. I’m super sad about this… Do i have to restart the diet (im assuming i do)… I figure I do one day on intro- but my big question is do i have to add in foods again slowly or since for the past 2 months they agreed with my system can i go back to those foods but from there on add in new ones cautiously?
I have a random question i was hoping you’d be able to help me with.I have UC I have been doing the SCD now for 2 months and its going great. Unfortunately today instead of eating the unsweetened applesauce i ate the sweetened i had one spoonful and noticed right away it didn’t taste the same and stopped eating it, looked at the jar and discovered this
PLEASE let me know your thoughts, im super stressed about this.
Thanks
Kathleen
@Kathleen – No need to restart, just take a deep breath and keep going. You are doing great!
My dear friend, a dietician, was telling me something about the FODMAT approach for IBS. You can look it up. It may help someone.
@Jordan – My GI doc has me doing FODMAPS diet, plus I’ve been GF for almost a year. Still suffering from IBS-D and Post Cholecystectomy Syndrome (bile dumping). Ordered Elaine’s book today, found your site and downloaded your free starter intro. My symptoms are also autoimmune, and have worsened of late: skin conditions, brain fog, extreme fatigue, thyroiditis – the list goes on and on. Nuts and beans worry me with the SCD diet – they rip me apart. Can’t wait to get started, but can omitting some ‘problem’ hurt my success? I have to take a lot of Colestipol to even eat anything and a potent prescription anti-diarrheal if I want to leave the house. I’m desperate for an eating regimen that solves problems and doesn’t add to them.
Meant to say ‘omitting some ‘problem’ food’
Where do I even start. About a year ago like a dummy I went on a vegan diet. I ate a lot of bread, pasta, and soy based substitute “foods”. Soy milk, soy cheese, vege soy burgers…you name it I ate it. Then I developed nutritional deficiencies which I couldnt understand….because I thought I was eating healthier. I was told to go back on a regular diet and to start eating meat and dairy again. Meat no problem, dairy was another story. I began experiencing constant coughing up of mucus after every meal that contained dairy. Almost a year later I am coughing up mucus and clearing my throat after almost every single meal. I should also mention that I have been hospitalized twice in the last year. Once for panic attack from anxiety which has virtually gone away after being on a balanced healthy diet of mainly veges, fruit, and lamb, pork, and salmon. I eat a lot of bread, corn chips, crackers, cereal, fat free yogurt, and I LOVE rutabaga and sweet potato. I have also started juicing in the morning (carrots, kale, spinach, apples, oranges, celery, lime) I figured doing this would give me a clean slate to work with but juicing hasnt stopped the constant throat clearing and coughing. I’m going crazy and I’m at my whits end. I’m pretty sure I have Celiac so I’m wondering what the heck should I be cutting out now? I can handle soups pretty well and chili and was doing better until I “introduced” dairy and bread back into my diet. I guess its back to soft digestible foods. So Frustrating!
@Kara – it might not be something diet can fix, it could be adrenal/sex hormone and or GI infections. Diet is part of fixing both of those and your long term health but many times more advanced testing is the answer
Hi there,
I am a 36 yr old who has had Crohn’s for about 9 yrs. When I was first diagnosed I was so bad that the only two options my gi gave me were prednisone and removing my intestines. I refused both options and found a local obgyn who believes in a more natural approach and I’ve managed with very few flare ups over the past 9 yrs. I initially started with The Maker’s Diet, but once I got it under control I would have occassional gluten cheats, daily sugar cheats, and am very embarassed to say I was addicted to Dr.Pepper for a good while. I “felt fine”. Well….my cheating and some stress caught up with me (shocking, I know) and about two weeks ago I was diagnosed with a recto-vaginal fistula…that at this point or at no point has been painful…so I’m hoping that means it’s not abcessed (?)…I’m going in for more tests this wk. Anyway, my gi put me on antibiotics (my 2nd time in my life to take them) which I am alternating with probiotics and told me I am looking at being on Remicaide for the rest of my life and surgery….two things I adamantly do not want, but I am scared I may be too late. I have “found my religion”. If I stick to the SCD diet, is it possible to fix this without surgery and Remicaide? What time frame should I be looking at? I don’t mind waiting, I just don’t want to do more damage in postponing if the other two options are inevitable. On top of the antibiotic I am taking turmeric, IgG Immunoglobin, LD Naltrexone, and a host of other vitamins and minerals.
No can guarantee anything but I like to believe it’s worth giving our best shots, I think you have a great program so far if you use SCD for the diet plus your supplements you’ll be will on your way. The last part is some advanced adrenal/hormone testing and sweeping the GI tract for any other infections. That’s what we do with most of our private clients http://scdlifestyle.com/consulting/
Hello there,
I do have a question about the diet. I have Celiac Disease and I follow a paleo diet. I knew about this diet, which is quite similar, but had forgotten about it until recently when someone mentioned they had severe Crhon’s and was going to try this. We were talking about sweeteners and she said the only one she was allowed is honey. I see that according to this list she is correct. I had questioned why she couldn’t use agave or stevia or even coconut palm sugar and she wasn’t sure, other than this is what she was told. Can someone explain that to me please?
Thanks!
@Rhiannon – because they contain man made ingredients and/or disaccharide sugars making them hard to digest and not suitable for this diet.
I don’t understand that at all. Agave is plant-based, so what exactly “in” it is man made? And the same goes for coconut sugar coming straight from coconuts and maple syrup from a maple tree. If these are all organic and basically ‘unprocessed’, how do they not fit the diet? I also don’t understand how all honey is “allowed.” I can understand maybe raw honey, but otherwise it doesn’t make sense to me. Can you give me further clarification on this?
Hi There,
I’m having difficulty finding natural 30 day aged Goat cheeses, is there a particular brand that would have this, or any advice here? I ask the people at the grocery store and most look at me with a puzzled clueless face haha.
Any help much appreciated !
Thanks,
K
@Kathleen – It’s not likely a brand issue it’s likely just a dairy issue and you need to do some more healing and reintroduce it later.
Re doctors not considering diet as a factor: my b-i-l comes from a dairy farming family and he says that when a vet is called to a sick animal, his/her first question is always: “what have you been feeding this animal?”
Makes sense.
Hello,
I have fructose intolerance and Im constantly feeling unwell form everything I eat.
I have read everything on here and in the free trial, but many of the allowed foods you mention above here are strictly of-limits according to many other fructose intolerance books and diets. But I want to try it as I am still not better after being free of fructose, dairy, gluten and sugar for years. I am sceptical about the grape juice and the carrots, as I havent eaten that amount of carrots in 4-5 years and had any grape juice (probably ever). Should I try them or avoid them for the intro diet you think?
Thank you
It is all very confusing, knowing what to eat (and drink) and what not to and suffering suffing just when we think we are over the worst, but for what it’s worth I want to suggest something which I haven’t seen mentioned yet and which I think applies to everyone suffering from gastro problems of whatever kind. It is common sense but it took me a few years to realsie how important it can be. It is absolutely NOT a cure but it definitely helps. I have still got a lot of problems but my life has got much better and the problems under control since I decided to get up an hour earlier for work every morning (5 am instead of 6 am), invest energy and money in a bathroom I like to be in, and above all, give myself plenty of time in the morning instead of feeling the pressure of the clock. Rushing about is bad for anyone with gastro trouble! The result of this bathroom ritual has been very positive in my case: I am fairly regular in the bathroom now (did not use to be at all) and regularity helps very much. Going to the toilet when you feel unwelcome pressure leaves the illness in control of you. Going every morning as a kind of ritual is much better. That’s my common sense tip anyway and applies to all of us. I just wanted to mention that because it might help some of you a bit. It is not a solution but it can be a relief. Absolutely worth the sacrifice of getting out of bed earlier.
I am trying to learn about the SCD diet but something on this page is wrong. It says the only carbs you can eat are monossaccharides because they are not broken down and that is true but many things on your allowed list are not monosacharides. For example all fruits have fructose, a disaccharide made up of glucose and sucrose ( another example is lactose, made of glucose and galactose) So something in this description is inaccurate.
Hello, I am writing regarding my daughter who is 13 and diagnosed two years ago with ulcerative colitis. It has been very difficult, particularely during her last flare. She was not responding to traditional meds and it took a very long time to get things somewhat under control. We have started almost 3 months ago on the Scd diet and saw some initial results. In the last couple of weeks. however, she has began to go to the bathroom more often, she is bleeding again and I am afraid she is once again heading towards another flare. Is this an indication that the SCD is not working for her? Can this occur when on the diet and should I go back to the initial stage of the diet. Any suggestion and help is welcomed and appreciated.
The diet is only the foundation of a treatment program. There are things like root cause GI testing, custom supplement programs and lifestyle issues that all need to be addressed.
I’m looking into starting this diet for my 13 yr old who has candida issues, but what if a person is allergic to phenols or salicylates? What fruits and veggies would be left?
Hi Linda please see our free download and ebook to address this.
To everyone on this post or reading this site in search of information, you must must give SCD a try. I was diagnosed with UC 8 years ago, recently had another flair up and dropped a significant amount of weight. The diet alone brought me back to health and into remission within 40 days…just incredible, no meds, just diet, albeit very strict adherence. Please give SCD a try, be very diligent, don’t cheat and I am living proof that this can make a significant impact on your life.
Hi. I’ve had Chron’s for 50 years now (diagnosed at age 5) and for the best 5 years I’ve been out of remission. The disease is currently worse than it was 2 years ago. I am planning to start the diet in a week or so (as soon as the book arrives and I thoroughly understand what I need to do.)
Here’s my problem/question.
1. Prenisone destroyed my pancreas and I am now insulin dependent. Has anyone with diabetes had experience on this diet? I’m thinking that it’s so low carb that my insulin useage will go way down. Also, if my blood sugar goes too low, what should I do? I normally carry glucose tablets, but I don’t think that’s allowed. (Although imo, better to be in the bathroom instead of dead.)
2. Because I’m not digesting very well at the moment, coupled with the diabetes, I am down to 100 pounds. Since I am only 5 feet tall, i’m still within weight range, but I am really afraid that I’ll lose a lot of weight on this diet. I don’t want to be so weak I can’t get out of bed. Any thoughts?
@Robin – I’m excited for you to get started, if you do some googling you’ll find tons of success stories from diabetics who use low carbohydrate diets like Paleo and SCD to control their blood sugars so I think this is a good move for you. And your question 2 you need to start eating at least 2000 calories a day.
Hello
do you know if there is any way of testing new foods to tell if they are SCD legal or not?
Hi,
I have tried every diet- SCD, paleo, GAPS 9 (for 6 months!!) and lots of supplements and have felt NO difference. I’m wondering if it is something deeper that only the stool test can find. I don’t have a sensitive stomach or much of a digestion issue (that I know of) but I have been struggling with severe anxiety for several years and low energy and I know my adrenals are shot because I wake up every night at 3 am and can’t fall asleep. I am working with a naturopath and have also tried several natural adrenal meds but NOTHING works! I am really exhausted and tired of wondering whats wrong with me. Any suggestions?
Also..have tried 4 probiotics and nothing worked…
I’m a bit apprehensive about this diet only because I am an extremely active person struggling to maintain my weight constantly. Cutting out pasta, rice, bread and potatoes leaves me with little options (due to lack of experience). What should I be eating a lot of every day to make sure I’m getting enough energy to maintain or gain weight?
Hi
.
I´m a danish girl who´s trying to find out WHY I´m still ill after eliminating all gluten, milk, fructose, sucrose and histamin. My gut is very sencitive so I can only eat potatoes and rice in all its form. Now I can see that I´m really making my self a lot more sick by doing this. But I´m still afraid to do this “diet” because there is so many things I used to react on.
My symptoms is: ballon stomach, stomachpain, restless legs, acne, problems with sleeping, always tired and when it´s really bad I gain weigth and it´s not because I eat more
Should I just try it and see how it goes???
The originator of the specific carbohydrate diet was Sidney Haas not Sidney Valentine. His middle initial is V which may be for Valentine but that is not his last name.
Hello
I was diagnosed with Progressive MS, seven years ago.
Since then, I have not taken an ounce of prescription drugs and am completely gluten free, sugar free and dairy free.
My last MRI showed no pregression of the disease and I only have one symptom affecting me at the moment. I am working on ridding this symptom.
I removed all toxicity- canned foods, processed foods, even changed my clothing and only wear all natural fibers, changed all my personal and household cleaning products, even moved to Nova Scotia for a better cleaner environment and all these changes, especially the diet made a huge difference.
I take a Food Tolerance Test every two years that determines what foods are good and bad for my body. I live by that list and never deviate.I take it every two years because the body changes and its needs change.
The food sentivities are a result of leaky gut syndrome. I am working on fixing this.
If I consume foods that are on my no list, my symptoms return ten-fold.
Everytime I reach a plateau, I search for treatments that will improve my health. They have to make sense to me and be right for my body.
My naturopath also does a live blood cell analysis to monitor my blood – its fluidity, cell strength, and bacteria content.
I drink only reverse osmosis alkaline water and have three air filters in my home and one in my car.
I have Progressive MS (it is supposed to get worse) and I have had no attacks for the past six years and have had no progression of the disease. I am 49 and my last test showed a metabolic age of 30.
I am true believer that the right (or wrong) foods, the toxicity of our environment, and our mental state, can drastically affect our health one way or the other.
Sometimes something will work for one person and not for another. It is because our bodies are different and therefore our needs are different. Learn to listen to your body and how it is affected by what you eat, drink, wear, think, etc.
Every minute thing from a rash to bloating to a headache, your bowel movements, and every little reaction, is your body speaking to you.
I wish you and all your readers good health and happy trails on your individual roads to recovery.
Alnoor
I have had many trials and tribulations with ulcerative colitis. I was diagnosed at 18 when I had a massive attack. I had no other symptoms for ten years, and bam at age 28 I had two flare ups. At age 29 I had two episodes which I guess are flare ups, but completely different with minimal diarrhea but blood in stool everyday. Doc has been talking about surgery. I tried a homeopathic doctor for a while who prescribed me tons of herbs, telling me parasites are the true cause. I noticed some results but also complications. I only notice recently I have bad burning in my gut when I eat sometimes and get pains. It has been a long road. I have started the scd diet for two days. I have alot of faith in the science behind it. I am a fighter as most people with this condition I notice are. I hope this will be the change I need. If it works I hope to spread the word to others who are suffering with intestinal issues. I have never posted anything like this online before. I wish everyone the best.
Hi guys
I just heard your podcast with Dr. Noel and really liked your info! I have been leaning towards a paleo/ ancestral diet for a while now and actually bought the (SCD diet book but never fully committed to it) to help with my horrible digestive system…I have had Achalasia for 12 years. I had surgery 10 years ago to try an correct the problem but it did not solve it. Food will not go down on its own so I have to swallow large amounts of water with every meal to get my food down. I have heartburn, gas, bloating, inflammation, constipation and now infertility issues. Certain foods and stress defiantly influence how i feel. I try to deal with the disease as holistically as possible with food/ lifestyle/acupuncture/yoga etc but I still suffer daily and would love to feel better. Have you any experience with Achalasia? Would the SCD help me? Any advice or directions on how to find a doctor in my area (not conventional) that would help in testing my gut, stool etc, would be so appreciated!
I am new to those whole gut healing thing, but I am desperate so I’m searching around for a solution for my almost 2-year-old son who seems to have histamine intolerance. Does anyone have experience with a diet like SCD helping to heal this problem? Allergists and pediatricians have been almost zero help, and I have turned to the internet for help, where I have found all of the helpful information I have so far!
Hi my name is Mike and I purchased the SCD diet book and then started the diet 2 months ago witch I have followed religiously I have a leaky gut and the effect is that after eating certain foods I start itching in the groin area. During this time I have been using various tablets for headaches that I got from a neck injury. The headaches have stopped now and I am not using the tablets but I am still itching making me to suspect that the healing has not happened yet because of the effect the tablets would have on the inflamed area in my gut. Do you suggest that I start from the beginning with the diet?
Thank you
Mike
Very excited to have found your website. I’ve spent my entire life constipated & suffering w/stomach pain. Now I am having chest pain & severe stomach pain in between my rib cages & under left breast and have loose stools, but still feel constipated even though I go everyday. Doc thought it was my gallbladder and sent me for a HIDA scan. Test came back normal & primary doc decided to start me on Dexilant (been on it over a month). She then sent me for an endoscopy & now diagnosed with GERD. Biopsy came back normal and no H. Pylori. Gastro said I have to be on the Dexilant for 3 months & the primary doc also put me on Zantac due to allergies and hives I am experiencing…this didn’t make much sense to me and I feel even worse now, having pain in my throat and burping constantly along with the severe stomach pain.
Even on the strict diet they have me on, (I feel like I’m not allowed to eat anything) I am not feeling better and consistently losing weight. I feel so full after such a small amount of food that I can’t really eat much. I now owe thousands of dollars for the tests and am wondering if my problem is low acid and not high acid and if so, these meds have to be hurting me. Is this something the SCD diet can help me with? The diet I am on now is kind of the opposite and I want to make sure I am doing the right thing for my body. I am ready to take control of this and quit relying on meds…I am actually really scared of continuing the PPI, but also scared to stop because I’ve read that your stomach will surge with acid. Want to do the baking soda test but assume I must stop taking the ppi in order for it to work?
Is this a problem you can help with? I am so ready to feel healthy, energized and pain free and still be able to eat and don’t want to further my health problems with these ppi’s. Would love to work with you if you think this is something you can help me with. Thank you for your time. Jamie
Any advice that you could give to someone who hasn’t eating red or white meat for 20+ years and is about to start the SCD? I generally use eggs, nuts, cheese, yogurt and fish for protein, but it looks like might want to cut out the dairy during the intro diet (when no nuts are allowed). Should I go with just fish? Add in chicken, even though tht’s a bigger variable than dairy at this point, since my body is just unfamiliar with it? Or use the dairy and fish, with no chicken? Thoughts? Has anyone done this as a pescatarian before? I’m a 44 yo female, have IBS and SIBO, and have been gluten-free for 2 years.
I am so struggling to recover from celiac disease & eat right. My diet consists of beans, eggs, fruits, nuts & veggies including POTATOES! I love potatoes & it makes me so sad that I should not have them! Anyway, you say digestive enzymes have helped you heal but on Celiac.com they said to avoid them. Any idea why they would say that? There is this shake by Nature’s Way called Alive! pea protein. It has 14 orchard fruits, 24 vitamins & minerals, 18 amino acids, 12 mushrooms, 12 digestive enzymes, 12 garden veggies & 14 green foods. My fiance has been taking it and has never felt better & I have been wanting to take it but shy away due to the “natural flavors” ingredient & digestive enzymes. Advice? Sorry if this doesn’t make sense, I’m a bit sleep deprived. …and hungry.
I just started the SCD and have stopped taking supplements during the intro phase. Usually I use maral root extract to help me recover from exercise; without it I experience significant delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). When do you think I could reintroduce maral root?
I am curious to know if there is an alternative way of doing the initial step without chicken or meat patties?
Would I be able to replace this with eggs, black beans, or something of the sort?
Kind thanks,
Sandra
I have Celiac and I am seeing a Chiropractor that also uses Nutritional Response Testing. She has helped me get rid of an overgrowth of candida and says that coconut palm sugar is what will work best for me in the future as a sweetener. What is are the benefits of honey vs. coconut sugar? OR why is coconut sugar on the do no eat list? Does it cause an inflammatory response?
It doesn’t sound possible to adapt this diet for vegetarians, does it? I gave up meat due to ethical concerns over farming practices in the region where I have to shop.
Hi..i have been on the diet for a month and my health is gone worst!!i eat only the food that are allowed but why didnt help me?