Dante Carrillo
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a restrictive, grain-free diet that eliminates certain carbohydrates from your meals. It was developed in the 1920s by US pediatrician Dr. Sidney Haas to treat children with celiac disease. The diet is designed to help people with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as other digestive disorders such as celiac disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). SCD-approved foods are called legal, and they are mostly composed of monosaccharides, which are simple carbohydrates that the body easily breaks down into glucose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To treat intestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, diverticulitis, cystic fibrosis, and chronic diarrhea |
| Target | Carbohydrates with two or more linked sugar molecules |
| Foods to Avoid | Grains, starches, some dairy products, and added sugars |
| Foods to Consume | Monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, and galactose), fresh or frozen fruits and juices, most vegetables (except potatoes, yams, plantains, and some other high-starch vegetables), meat without additives, homemade yogurt, certain legumes |
| Duration | Temporary, with a gradual reintroduction of foods after months or years |
| Effectiveness | Varied success, with limited scientific evidence; primarily supported by testimonials and small clinical studies |
| Considerations | Consult a registered dietitian or healthcare professional to ensure nutritional needs are met and prevent malnutrition |
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What You'll Learn
The science behind the SCD
The specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) is a restrictive, grain-free diet that eliminates certain carbohydrates from your meals. The diet was first developed in the 1920s by US pediatrician Dr. Sidney Haas to treat children with celiac disease. It gained greater popularity in the late 1980s when Elaine Gottschall, a biochemist and the mother of one of Haas's patients, published a book called "Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet." In it, Gottschall described how the diet improved her daughter’s IBD symptoms.
SCD is primarily used to treat intestinal disorders, with varying degrees of success. The governing theory behind the diet is that complex carbohydrates encourage an overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria in your small intestine if you have IBD. As these bacteria grow, they produce byproducts that promote inflammation and eventually lead to reduced absorption of nutrients in your digestive tract. The diet restricts complex carbohydrates and allows for easy-to-digest carbohydrates, which are absorbed more easily by the body.
SCD-approved foods are collectively called “legal”. Most of the foods on this list are unprocessed, whole foods that don’t offer many complex carbs. The main sources of approved or “legal” carbohydrates in the SCD come from the monosaccharides glucose, fructose, and galactose. Monosaccharides are the simplest and smallest type of sugar made of just one sugar unit. They are absorbed into the bloodstream so they can be used for energy.
The SCD is usually used as a temporary diet, and most people start reintroducing foods into their diet after months or years. However, some people follow the SCD for life to control IBD symptoms or remain in remission. It is important to consult with a registered dietitian or qualified healthcare professional to make sure you’re meeting your nutritional needs.
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Foods to avoid
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a restrictive grain-free eating plan designed to help manage gastrointestinal conditions such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and celiac disease. The diet allows easily digestible carbohydrates and eliminates those that are hard to digest.
When following the SCD, it is best to avoid grains and grain products, such as bread, pasta, and cereal. The diet is also very low in sugar and lactose, so milk and milk products like mild cheddar, store-bought yogurt, cream, sour cream, and ice cream should be avoided. It is also best to avoid processed foods, including canned foods, and foods with additives.
Certain legumes should also be avoided, including dried beans, lentils, split peas, raw cashews, and all-natural peanut butter.
The diet is restrictive, so it is important to consult a healthcare professional before starting to ensure you are getting the right nutrients and calories.
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Foods you can eat
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a restrictive grain-free eating plan that allows easily digestible carbohydrates and monosaccharides, which are easier to absorb. It was originally developed to treat celiac disease and was later used for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other digestive disorders.
Meats, Poultry, and Fish
You can eat additive-free meats, poultry, and fish. This includes unprocessed meats, lean meats, and eggs.
Oils and Condiments
Additive-free and sugar-free oils, such as olive oil, are allowed. You can also consume white vinegar, cider, and mustard.
Beverages
You are allowed to drink additive-free and sugar-free coffee, tea, and fruit juice.
Dairy
Dairy products like natural, sugar-free peanut butter, cheeses (sharp cheddar, Colby, Swiss, and dry curd cottage cheese), and homemade yogurt that has fermented for at least 24 hours are permitted. However, it is important to limit dairy products high in lactose.
Vegetables
Most vegetables are allowed on the SCD diet, including fresh, frozen, raw, or cooked vegetables. However, certain starchy vegetables like potatoes are restricted.
Fruits
Fresh, frozen, cooked, or dried fruits without added sugar are permitted. However, certain fruits high in fructose may need to be limited.
Legumes
Legumes like dried beans, lentils, peas, split peas, and lima beans are allowed. However, some legumes like soybeans, chickpeas, and bean sprouts should be avoided.
Nuts
Nuts and nut-based products, such as almond flour and natural peanut butter, are allowed.
Other
The SCD diet also allows for certain indulgences, such as brownies made with grain-free flour and "Oeufs en Cocotte" with smoked salmon and herbs.
It is important to note that the SCD diet has been modified over the years, and individuals may make adjustments based on their responses to different foods. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any restrictive diet.
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The introductory diet
The specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) is a restrictive grain-free diet that was first developed to treat celiac disease. It is now used to help manage inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as other digestive disorders. The diet involves eliminating certain carbohydrates from your meals, specifically those that are hard to digest and easily feed bad bacteria in the gut.
SCD-approved foods are called "legal". They are mostly composed of monosaccharides, which are simple carbohydrates that your body can easily break down and absorb. Legal foods include most fresh or frozen fruits and juices, most vegetables (except starchy vegetables like potatoes and yams), most fresh meats (without additives or fillers), and certain legumes (if soaked and prepared according to guidelines).
After the introductory diet, you can start introducing other SCD-legal foods. There is no set schedule for this, but guidelines include peeling and thoroughly cooking ripe fruits and vegetables, and avoiding raw fruits and vegetables if you are experiencing diarrhoea.
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Long-term considerations
The SCD is a restrictive, grain-free diet that eliminates certain carbohydrates from your meals. It is important to consult with a registered dietitian or qualified healthcare professional to ensure that your nutritional needs are being met. While some people may be able to reintroduce banned foods after their symptoms subside, this varies from person to person. The SCD is usually a temporary diet, with most people starting to bring other foods back into their diet after months or years. However, some people may follow the SCD for life, depending on their response to the diet and their medical condition.
The SCD was initially developed to treat celiac disease, but it is now being considered for other conditions such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, cystic fibrosis, and chronic diarrhea. It is also believed to help balance the digestive tract, leading to its use in treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, it is important to note that the scientific understanding of these disorders and their treatments is still limited.
The SCD is an elimination diet that cuts out grains, starches, sugars, and some dairy products. The diet is based on the theory that certain carbohydrates are not fully digested, and so they remain in the gut, causing an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. This leads to a chain reaction of irritation in the intestines. The SCD aims to prevent this by allowing only specific types of carbohydrates that are easily digestible.
While the SCD has shown promise in improving symptoms for some people with inflammatory bowel diseases, there is limited scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness. Most data comes from small studies or anecdotal evidence, and more research is needed to determine its success in treating various conditions. It is important to approach the SCD as a personal decision and discuss it with a healthcare professional to avoid malnutrition and ensure it is a suitable long-term plan for your individual needs.
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Frequently asked questions
The specific carbohydrate diet is a restrictive, grain-free diet that involves eliminating certain carbohydrates from your meals. It was first developed to manage celiac disease but is now being considered for other conditions like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The SCD-approved foods are collectively called "legal". Most of these foods are unprocessed, whole foods that don't offer many complex carbs. The main sources of approved or "legal" carbs in the SCD come from the monosaccharides glucose, fructose, and galactose. Foods allowed on the SCD include most fresh or frozen fruits and juices, most vegetables (except potatoes, yams, plantains, and some other high-starch vegetables), most fresh meats (as long as they don't contain any fillers or additives), and certain legumes.
Before starting the SCD, it is important to consult with a registered dietitian or qualified healthcare professional to ensure you are meeting your nutritional needs. The SCD begins with an introductory diet that is followed for two to five days, depending on when symptoms begin to improve.
