
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a diet that promotes intestinal health by eliminating grain, gluten, refined sugar, and some dairy from one's diet. The diet is based on the research of Elaine Gottschall, author of *Breaking the Vicious Cycle Intestinal Health Through Diet*. Legumes are allowed on the SCD, but only after following the diet for three months without symptoms. Before consuming legumes, it is recommended to check the legal/illegal list on the *Breaking the Vicious Cycle* website. When preparing legumes for the SCD, it is important to cook them properly to make them easier to digest. This includes soaking the legumes in room-temperature water for 10-12 hours, discarding the water, and then hard-boiling them before slow-simmering. Black beans, in particular, are allowed on the SCD, but only after the gut has healed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet Name | Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) |
| Purpose | To improve intestinal health by eliminating grain, gluten, refined sugar, and some dairy |
| Food Group | Legumes |
| Legumes Allowed After | 3 months without symptoms |
| Black Beans | Try after the gut has healed |
| Preparation | Soak in room-temperature water for 10-12 hours, hard boil, then slow simmer |
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What You'll Learn

Black tea is allowed, but only in light form
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a diet that eliminates grain, gluten, refined sugar, and some dairy products. While following the SCD diet, it is important to note that black tea is permitted, but only in light form. This means that you can consume plain black tea as part of your SCD diet, but it should not be too strong. It is recommended to stick to one or two cups per day.
Black tea is allowed in light form because it contains lower levels of certain compounds, such as tannins, which can affect the absorption of nutrients. Tannins are a type of polyphenol found in many plants, including tea leaves. While tannins can have some health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and improving heart health, consuming high amounts may interfere with nutrient absorption and could lead to negative side effects.
When preparing black tea for the SCD diet, it is best to use fresh or high-quality tea leaves to ensure the lowest concentration of tannins. Boiling the water for a shorter period of time and steeping the tea for a shorter duration can also help reduce the amount of tannins extracted. Additionally, you can add milk or non-dairy alternatives and a sweetener of your choice, as long as they are permitted in the SCD diet.
It is worth noting that while black tea is allowed, other forms of black tea, such as strong black tea or black tea with added ingredients, are not recommended. Strong black tea may contain higher levels of tannins and other compounds that could interfere with the SCD diet's guidelines and impact your health negatively. Always refer to official SCD resources and consult with a healthcare professional or a nutritionist to ensure that your tea consumption aligns with the specific guidelines of the SCD diet and your individual needs.
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Black beans can be tried slowly after three months
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is based on the research of Elaine Gottschall, author of *Breaking the Vicious Cycle Intestinal Health Through Diet*. The diet eliminates grain, gluten, refined sugar, and some dairy products to promote intestinal health and reduce symptoms of inflammation in the intestinal tract. Legumes are allowed on the SCD diet, but only after the gut has healed, which typically takes around three months.
Black beans, in particular, are included in the list of legumes that can be consumed after the initial three-month period of the SCD diet. However, it is important to introduce them slowly and gradually into your diet. This is because legumes, including black beans, contain indigestible sugars and compounds that can be difficult for the body to process. To mitigate this, there are specific preparation methods recommended for cooking legumes to make them more digestible.
One such method involves soaking the beans before cooking. By soaking the black beans in room-temperature water for 10 to 12 hours, you can remove some of the indigestible sugars. It is important not to oversoak the beans, as this can lead to changes in their molecular structure, making them harder to digest. After soaking, discard the water, rinse the beans, and then proceed to the cooking stage.
The recommended cooking method for legumes like black beans involves a two-step process. First, rapidly boil the beans in fresh water. This step helps to remove any remaining undigestible compounds and starches. Boiling is more effective for this purpose than simmering or slow cooking. Once the initial rapid boil is complete, switch to a slow simmer to finish cooking the beans to your desired texture.
By following these preparation and cooking guidelines, you can introduce black beans into your SCD diet after your gut has healed, typically around the three-month mark. Remember to introduce them slowly and pay attention to your body's response as you increase your consumption over time.
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Legumes can be eaten after three symptom-free months
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a diet that promotes intestinal health by eliminating grains, gluten, refined sugar, and some dairy products. It is based on the research of Elaine Gottschall, author of *Breaking the Vicious Cycle Intestinal Health Through Diet*. On this diet, legumes can be introduced after three symptom-free months.
Legumes (dried peas, lentils, and beans) are a great source of protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. They can help you feel fuller, balance blood sugar, and reduce constipation. Additionally, beans are low in fat and calories, contain no cholesterol, and are highly versatile in recipes.
When preparing legumes for the SCD diet, it is important to cook them properly to make them easier to digest. Firstly, wash the legumes under water in a colander or mesh strainer and pick out any pebbles. Then, soak the legumes in room-temperature water for 10-12 hours to remove indigestible sugars. It is important not to oversoak the legumes as this can make them harder to digest. After soaking, discard the water, rinse the legumes, and place them back in the pot with fresh water. Bring the water to a rapid boil and skim off any foam that forms. Finally, slow simmer the legumes until they reach your desired texture.
Black beans, in particular, are allowed on the SCD diet after the gut has healed, which typically takes three symptom-free months. Other allowed legumes include lima beans, navy beans, and red kidney beans. Illegal legumes on the SCD diet include cannellini beans, chickpeas, soybeans, and various types of broad beans.
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The SCD diet eliminates grains, gluten, refined sugar and some dairy
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is an elimination diet that restricts certain carbohydrates that are believed to be difficult to digest. The SCD diet eliminates grains, gluten, refined sugar, and some dairy products. This is because people with IBD may have trouble breaking down complex carbohydrates like grains and grain products. When these undigested food particles remain in the gut, harmful bacteria can feed on them and cause inflammation.
The SCD diet was originally developed for children with celiac disease, an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten. However, it is no longer recommended for this purpose as it eliminates many other foods besides gluten. Instead, it is now suggested as a possible treatment for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. By eliminating certain foods, the SCD diet aims to reduce inflammation and improve intestinal health.
On the SCD diet, grains and grain products like bread, pasta, and cereal are eliminated. This includes grains such as barley, corn, oats, quinoa, rice, and wheat. Additionally, sugars and products made with sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or other sweeteners are restricted. This includes candy, chocolates, cookies, ice cream, and some condiments like ketchup and salad dressings. Dairy products that are high in lactose, such as milk, cream, yogurt, sour cream, and some cheeses, are also limited.
While the SCD diet can be challenging due to the elimination of entire food groups, it may provide relief from IBD symptoms. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting this or any restrictive diet, as it may lead to malnutrition and unhealthy weight loss if not properly managed. Additionally, there are alternative dietary approaches, such as an anti-inflammatory diet that emphasizes probiotics and prebiotics while avoiding lactose, wheat, refined sugar, and corn. This type of diet has been found to improve the balance of bacteria in patients with IBD.
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Dried beans are easier to digest, especially for SCD followers
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a diet that eliminates grain, gluten, refined sugar, and some dairy to improve intestinal health. It is based on the research of Elaine Gottschall, author of *Breaking the Vicious Cycle Intestinal Health Through Diet*. The diet is especially beneficial for those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or other digestive disorders.
Legumes are a great addition to the SCD diet, as they are a good source of protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. They can also help balance blood sugar and reduce constipation. However, beans are infamous for causing flatulence and bloating, even in healthy individuals.
Dried beans, including black beans, are allowed on the SCD diet, but only after the gut has healed. To make dried beans easier to digest, it is recommended to soak them in room-temperature water for 10 to 12 hours before cooking. This process helps remove indigestible sugars and starches, making the beans gentler on the digestive system. It is important not to oversoak the beans, as this can alter their molecular structure and make them harder to digest.
After soaking, discard the water, rinse the beans, and place them back in the pot with fresh water. Bring the beans to a hard boil, skimming off any foam, and then slow-simmer them until they reach the desired texture. This cooking process helps to remove any remaining undigestible compounds, making the beans even easier to digest.
By preparing dried beans using the methods outlined above, individuals following the SCD diet can enjoy the nutritional benefits of legumes while minimizing potential digestive discomfort.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, black beans are allowed on the SCD diet, but it is recommended to try them only after the gut has healed.
To prepare black beans for the SCD diet, follow these steps: Wash the beans, soak them in room-temperature water for 10-12 hours, discard the water, boil them, and then simmer them until they reach your desired texture.
Other legumes that are suitable for the SCD diet include lentils, split peas, lima beans, navy beans, and red kidney beans.
Yes, some legumes to avoid on the SCD diet include cannellini beans, chickpeas, soybeans, and mung beans.
Legumes are a great source of protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. They can help you feel fuller, balance your blood sugar, and reduce constipation. Additionally, they are low in fat, low in calories, and cholesterol-free.











































