Milly Gaines
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a diet that eliminates sugars and hard-to-digest carbohydrates like grains and grain products. It is often used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The SCD diet is typically followed for one year during active flares and for an additional year after the last IBD symptom. If symptoms reappear, it is recommended to resume the diet. While the SCD diet can be effective in treating IBD symptoms, it is important to be cautious of potential nutritional deficiencies and consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new diet. To treat a flare fast on the SCD diet, it is recommended to return to phase one foods that the body tolerates and eat those until symptoms improve.
How to treat a flare fast on the SCD diet
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet type | Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) |
| Diet description | Eliminates sugars, grains, and hard-to-digest carbs |
| Foods to eat | Homemade broth, chicken, beef-bone broth, turkey, avocado, peeled and cooked fruits and vegetables, additive-free meats, poultry, fish, and shellfish |
| Foods to avoid | Grains, milk products (except fermented yogurt), sugar, starches, nuts, seeds, eggs, sweets, nightshades, wheat, soy, barley, corn, rice, and potatoes |
| Recommended duration | One year during active flares and an additional year after the last IBD symptom |
| Potential benefits | Remission of ulcerative colitis, reduction of abdominal pain, and improvement in overall health |
| Potential risks | Malnutrition, unhealthy weight loss, orthorexia nervosa, and difficulty maintaining the diet |
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Eliminate grains, milk products, sugar, and starches
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is an elimination diet that removes all grains, starches, sugars, and most milk products. It is often used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as other digestive disorders. The diet is designed to reduce inflammation in the gut and improve overall health.
Grains are eliminated on the SCD because they contain complex carbohydrates that can be hard to digest and may feed harmful bacteria in the intestines. This includes all grain products like bread, pasta, and cereal, as well as whole-grain products. Instead, the diet encourages the consumption of carbohydrates that are easier for the body to break down and absorb, such as those found in fruits and vegetables.
Milk products are also restricted on the SCD, with the exception of highly fermented yogurt or hard, aged cheese. Milk and other dairy products like cream, ice cream, and sour cream are high in lactose, a natural sugar that can be difficult for some people to digest. By eliminating these milk products, the SCD aims to reduce the intake of sugars and complex carbohydrates.
Sugar is strictly limited on the SCD. This includes not only table sugar but also honey, molasses, corn syrup, and other processed sugars. Sugar is classified as a simple carbohydrate that can cause a rapid spike and drop in blood sugar levels, leading to energy crashes and fatigue. Additionally, sugar is considered a food source for harmful bacteria in the gut, and its removal can help restore a healthy balance of bacteria.
Starches are also excluded from the SCD. Starches are complex carbohydrates that can be found in potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, and certain legumes like soybeans and chickpeas. Like other complex carbohydrates, starches can be hard to digest and may contribute to intestinal inflammation. By eliminating starches, the SCD aims to reduce potential triggers for digestive issues.
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Incorporate homemade broths and well-cooked fruits and vegetables
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a nutritionally complete grain-free diet, low in sugar and lactose, that was developed by Dr. Sidney Haas in the 1920s as a treatment for celiac disease. It is also used to treat IBD and ulcerative colitis. The diet removes all grains, milk products (except for highly fermented yogurt), and sugar.
Homemade broths are a staple of the first step of the SCD, which is the anti-inflammatory phase. Chicken broth is the easiest to start with, but turkey and beef-bone broth are also good choices. Broth can be sipped by itself or mixed with cooked chicken and vegetables in a blender to create a thicker soup or a savoury smoothie.
Well-cooked fruits and vegetables are also an important part of the SCD. Carrots are the cornerstone vegetable of the diet as they are rich in carotenoids, which have been linked to fighting cancer, fighting parasites, protecting vision, and reducing heart disease. Other vegetables that can be included are cooked carrots, peppers, mushrooms, avocados, tomatoes, peaches, pineapple, and plums. Fruits and vegetables should be peeled, seeded, and well-cooked when first introduced. If these are tolerated, then raw peeled fruits and vegetables can be added, and eventually fresh, whole, unpeeled fruits and vegetables.
It is important to note that the SCD diet is restrictive and eliminates large groups of nutrient-dense foods. It should be closely monitored by a physician to ensure overall well-being and nutritional status.
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Avoid packaged, processed, or canned foods
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a diet that removes all grains, milk products (except for highly fermented yoghurt), and sugars from the diet. It is often used to treat IBD, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and other digestive disorders.
When treating a flare-up, it is important to avoid packaged, processed, or canned foods. This is because these types of foods are often high in sugar, starches, additives, and preservatives, which can trigger gut inflammation and worsen symptoms. Instead, the SCD diet recommends eating carbohydrates that are easier for the body to break down and absorb, such as additive-free meats, poultry, fish, and shellfish.
The SCD diet can be challenging to maintain as it allows very few permissible foods and may put individuals at risk for malnutrition and unhealthy weight loss. It is important to work with a physician and dietitian to ensure that unique nutrient needs are being met and to identify food triggers. Additionally, when treating a flare, it is best to incorporate new foods gradually to help the body get adequate nutrition.
The diet is typically followed for one year during active flares and for an additional year following the last IBD symptom. However, due to its significant restrictions, potential for nutritional deficiencies, and limited research supporting its effectiveness, some physicians do not recommend the SCD diet for their adult patients.
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Monitor overall well-being and nutritional status
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that involves removing all grains, milk products (except for highly fermented yoghurt), and sugars from the diet. The SCD diet is divided into three main dietary phases, with each phase differing in terms of what can be eaten, its challenges, and how success is monitored.
It is important to monitor an individual's overall well-being and nutritional status during the three phases of the SCD diet. This is because there are concerns about nutritional deficiencies with the SCD Diet, including the potential for malnutrition and the development of orthorexia nervosa. The diet may also put individuals at risk for unhealthy weight loss. Therefore, it is crucial to work with a physician and dietitian to determine a dietary regimen that meets an individual's unique nutrient needs and food triggers.
During the first phase of the SCD diet, individuals should consume homemade broth, which can be made from chicken, turkey, or beef bones. Broth can be sipped on its own or blended with cooked chicken and vegetables to create a thicker soup or savoury smoothie. Applesauce, made with peeled and well-cooked apples, can also be eaten during this phase, with a bit of honey and cinnamon to taste.
In the second phase of the SCD diet, new foods should be introduced gradually, as tolerated, to help individuals get adequate nutrition. It is important to introduce new foods one at a time to identify any trigger foods that may cause a flare-up. Fruits and vegetables should be peeled, seeded, and well-cooked during this phase. If no symptoms or flares occur, raw peeled fruits and vegetables can be added, and eventually, fresh, whole, unpeeled fruits and vegetables can be introduced.
The third phase of the SCD diet involves the reintroduction of "illegal" foods, which is a highly debated topic. Some individuals may not tolerate the reintroduction of "illegal" foods and may experience a flare-up of their disease. It is important to closely monitor for any symptoms or flares during this phase and consult with a healthcare provider if any issues or concerns arise.
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Reintroduce foods gradually and listen to your body
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a highly restrictive diet that eliminates all grains, milk products (except for highly fermented yoghurt), and sugars. It is often used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and microscopic colitis. The diet is defined by its extensive lists of allowed and excluded foods, with many approved foods needing to be prepared from scratch to avoid added sugars and starches.
When it comes to reintroducing foods after an IBD flare-up, it is crucial to do so gradually and mindfully. Here are some guidelines to help you navigate this process:
Start with Step 1 of the SCD, which is the anti-inflammatory phase. Homemade broth is a staple during this step and can be sipped on its own or blended with cooked chicken and vegetables to create a thicker soup or a savoury smoothie. You can also consume homemade applesauce, either cold or warm, with a bit of honey and cinnamon to taste.
As you tolerate these initial foods, you can start introducing new items every day or every two days. Some options include green beans, peppers, mushrooms, avocados, tomatoes, peaches, pineapple, and plums. It is important to peel, seed, and cook fruits and vegetables thoroughly during this stage. If no symptoms or flares occur, you can gradually add raw peeled fruits and vegetables, and eventually progress to fresh, whole, unpeeled produce.
Listen to your body and be mindful of any trigger foods. Everyone's experience with IBD is unique, and certain foods may be tolerated differently. If you notice any issues or concerns, don't hesitate to consult your doctor. It is also helpful to examine online resources, recipe sites, and cookbooks to find suitable options for your dietary needs.
Remember, the SCD may not be suitable for everyone, and it is always advisable to consult with your healthcare provider before making any significant dietary changes.
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Frequently asked questions
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a diet that removes all grains, milk products (except for highly fermented yogurt), and sugar from the diet. It is often used to treat IBD and other digestive disorders.
To treat a flare-up fast, it is recommended to go back to phase one of the diet and eat only the foods that your body tolerates until your symptoms go away. It is also important to eliminate wheat, peppers, and other non-approved SCD foods, as these can cause acute flare-ups.
Some foods that are allowed on the SCD diet include additive-free meats, poultry, fish, and shellfish. Homemade broth is also a staple of the anti-inflammatory phase of the diet. Broth can be sipped by itself or mixed with cooked chicken and vegetables to create a thicker soup or a savory smoothie.
