The Specific Carbohydrate Diet, or SCD, is a strict diet designed for people with
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Diverticulitis
- Celiac disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
- Chronic diarrhea and
- Spastic colon
This diet helps the body by eliminating “specific” carbs that are known to cause bacterial overgrowth, inflammation, and increased gut permeability. However, it does NOT require the complete elimination of ALL carbohydrates. The allowed carbohydrates are in the monosaccharide form, these carbs have a single molecule structure that is easily absorbed by the intestinal wall.
On the flip side, complex carbohydrates (disaccharides AKA double molecules and polysaccharides AKA chain molecules) are restricted from this diet plan. For individuals with any of the listed ailments above, complex carbohydrates are not easily digested and feed harmful bacteria causing them to overgrow and produce by-products that cause inflammation in the intestinal wall. The SCD works by starving these bacteria and restoring the balance of the bacteria in the GI tract.
THE PROTOCOL
There are also several phases to this diet, starting with an introductory period of 2-5 days where only a few specific foods are consumed. Then, foods are slowly added into the diet in stages. We work one on one with our clients to tailor the introduction phase and guide them in the process to track progress and create connections between foods and symptoms. Some individuals whose symptoms completely stop after following the diet may be able to gradually come off the diet without having any issues, while others may have to remain on the diet indefinitely. We recommend maintaining this diet for the appropriate individuals for at least one year after the last symptom has disappeared.
WHAT FOODS TO AVOID
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet AVOIDS:
- All grains, including those that do not contain gluten.
- Sugar molasses, maple syrup, sucrose, processed fructose
- Canned vegetables with added ingredients
- Some legumes
- Seaweed
- Starchy tubers such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and turnips
- Canned or processed meats
- Canola oil and store-bought mayonnaise
- All milk and milk products high in lactose, such as mild cheddar, store-bought yogurt, cream, sour cream, and ice cream
- Candy and chocolate
WHAT FOODS TO INCLUDE
*Remember that these foods are included in phases starting out with specific foods for the first 2-5 days (depending on the severity of the individual’s symptoms) then the second phase lasts about 3 months and the third 6 months, and so on for the full year.*
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet INCLUDES:
- Fresh, unprocessed meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, and eggs
- Certain legumes, including dried navy beans, lima beans, lentils, split peas, raw cashews, and all-natural organic peanut butter
- Limited dairy such as cheddar, colby, swiss, and dry curd cottage cheeses and homemade yogurt fermented for at least 24 hours
- Most fresh and frozen vegetables
- Fresh, frozen, or dried fruits with no added sugar
- Most nuts and nut flours
- Most oils, teas, coffee, mustard, cider or white vinegar, and juices with no additives
- Honey
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
This diet can feel restrictive, so it should be used with caution and only under the guidance of a Registered Dietitian.
There is preliminary evidence that the Specific Carbohydrate Diet may help improve digestive symptoms, decreases inflammation, and lead to increased biodiversity of the microbiome. So, this diet should remain an option for appropriate patients in conjunction with appropriate medical therapy.
At Move Fully Nourished we believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to health! We take an integrative and functional approach when creating successful eating plans for our clients! Please talk to a Registered Dietitian before you consider following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, or any other healing diet plan!
Your Online Dietitian Coach, Ashley Anderson MS, RDN, LDN, CPT, PN1
Your Online Dietitian Coach, Rachel Brown, RD, IBCLC, CDECS, MBA
***Click I’M READY to fill out our coaching application to schedule a complimentary discovery call TODAY! A healthier you is just a call away!***
Resources:
- Elaine Gloria Gottschall. Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health through Diet. The Kirkton Press; 2018.
- SCD Lifestyle Book – How to Start the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and Survive the First 90 Days. scdlifestylebook.com. Accessed April 7, 2022. http://scdlifestylebook.com/
- What Is the Specific Carbohydrate Diet? Healthy Gut Company. Accessed April 7, 2022. https://healthygut.com/about-the-scd-diet/
