Following the SCD Diet (specific carbohydrate diet) is a good way to treat a variety of gastrointestinal conditions and diseases.
What is the SCD Diet?
The specific carbohydrate diet is designed to help people suffering from a number of serious gastrointestinal conditions, including celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, chronic diarrhea, and cystic fibrosis, among others. The dietary foods that are included have a certain chemistry that makes them better for people suffering from a bowel disease. [1]
As the diet’s name implies, the carbohydrates allowed in this diet are specific, namely monosaccharides, the easiest carbohydrates for your stomach to digest. More complex carbohydrates, such as disaccharides and polysaccharides aren’t allowed in this diet, as they can be more difficult to digest, and thus feed bacteria in the gut, which can result in a variety of negative gastrointestinal symptoms. This diet is believed to work because it eliminates many of the foods that we aren’t biologically predisposed to eat, including those with additives and other non-natural compounds. [2]
SCD Diet Food List
The foods that are allowed on the diet are quite limited, and the SCD diet eliminates many of the most common foods in a typical diet. For that reason, this diet is considered quite difficult, albeit essential, for some people.
Foods to Eat
- Vegetables
- Grass-fed meat
- Wild-caught fish
- Homemade yogurt
- Low-sugar fruits
- Condiments
- Unprocessed drinks
- Healthy fats
- Eggs
- Simple sugars
Foods to Avoid
- Canned vegetables
- All grains
- Dairy products
- Sweetened drinks
- Canola oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Processed meat
- Starchy vegetables
- Safflower oil
The specific carbohydrate diet is designed to help people suffering from a number of serious stomach ailments. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
SCD Diet Menu Plan
If you are starting an SCD Diet, your typical week of food might look something like the following:
Day 1
- Breakfast: Cauliflower hash browns
- Lunch: Homemade chicken soup
- Dinner: Pork tenderloin and a pear/apple
Day 2
- Breakfast: Apple pie pancakes (grain-free)
- Lunch: Chicken breast and carrots
- Dinner: Venison and butternut squash
Day 3
- Breakfast: Cheesy frittata muffins (grain-free)
- Lunch: Ground beef patty cooked in coconut oil
- Dinner: Bison steak and zucchini
Day 4
- Breakfast: Pumpkin spice muffins
- Lunch: Boneless pork chop and broccoli
- Dinner: Cod filet cooked in coconut oil
Day 5
- Breakfast: Homemade sausage
- Lunch: Salmon and butternut squash
- Dinner: Chicken thigh and spinach
Day 6
- Breakfast: Grain-free cereal
- Lunch: Turkey breast with carrots
- Dinner: Homemade chicken soup
Day 7
- Breakfast: Banana almond butter smoothie
- Lunch: Fresh tuna and a pear/apple
- Dinner: Ground beef patty
Benefits of the SCD Diet
While this diet can be rigorous, there are many benefits, including relief from IBS, lactose intolerance, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.
IBS
If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, going on this diet will eliminate many of the trigger foods that can cause inflammation and upset stomach. [3]
Digestive Issues
If you have excessive gas, constipation, diarrhea or other common gastrointestinal problems, the lack of dairy products and grains can help relieve many of these issues. [4]
Celiac Disease
The majority of the dietary recommendations are already gluten-free, making this diet ideal for people suffering from celiac disease. [5]
Lactose Intolerance
One of the most difficult aspects of this diet is the lack of dairy, but for lactose intolerant individuals, this can help to relieve many of the irritating symptoms.
Ulcerative Colitis
Research has found that the foods removed from the diet with the SCD diet can help to reduce the frequency of flare-ups of ulcerative colitis. [6]
Nutrient Absorption
Your gut can absorb the vast majority of the foods on this diet, ensuring that you fully benefit from the nutrients you consume.
Autism
Research has linked the foods you eat to the severity of autism symptoms, so this diet is often a great choice for children and adults suffering from this condition. [7]
Others
It also helps in treating the condition of diverticulitis and at the same time helps improve brain health.
