Brenda Khan
The SCD diet is a diet meant for people with gastrointestinal disorders such as coeliac disease, IBS, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. The diet aims to eliminate foods that feed the bacteria in the intestine, to prevent overgrowth and intestinal problems. The diet relies on probiotic-rich foods like fermented foods (sauerkraut and 24-hour fermented yogurt) to repopulate the intestines with beneficial bacteria. While some sources suggest starting the diet with meat stock and soups, others recommend waiting until you've been on the diet for about 30 days before introducing fermented yogurt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of the SCD diet | To eliminate foods that feed the microbial world of the intestine and ensure yeasts and bacteria do not overgrow |
| Foods to eat | Meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, honey, certain less-complex beans and pulses, fermented foods such as sauerkraut and 24-hour fermented yogurt |
| When to start probiotics | After being on the diet for about 30 days and starting to feel better |
| Probiotics to start with | SCD-legal fermented yogurt, slowly |
| Other options | Multi-strain probiotics, SCD 24-hour yogurt, or fermented foods like sauerkraut |
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Probiotics in pill form
The SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) is a diet meant to be followed over the long term. It is meant to eliminate foods that feed the microbial world of the intestine, to prevent the overgrowth of bacteria and yeasts. The diet focuses on 'predigested' carbohydrates, which provide maximum nourishment without stimulating the growth of intestinal microbes.
SCD probiotics are strains of beneficial bacteria that support native beneficial bacteria and control opportunistic bacteria. Probiotics can be consumed in pill form, as liquid supplements, or through fermented foods.
Pill-based probiotics are often freeze-dried, which may cause the bacteria to die in the stomach or during the freeze-drying process. However, pills are a convenient way to consume probiotics, and they do not have the same taste concerns as liquid or fermented probiotics.
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Fermented foods
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a whole-food diet for IBD that favours monosaccharides, which are easier to absorb and excludes food additives and complex carbohydrates. The purpose of the SCD diet is to eliminate foods that feed the microbial world of the intestine to prevent the overgrowth of bacteria and yeasts. The diet relies on probiotic-rich foods to ensure that beneficial bacteria are repopulated in the digestive tract.
Yogurt is a cornerstone for many people on the SCD diet. Homemade 24-hour fermented yogurt is a good option for those who can tolerate dairy. It can provide rapid improvement in symptoms for celiac, IBD, IBS, autism, and some autoimmune diseases. To be allowed on the SCD diet, cultured dairy products must have little to no lactose. The yogurt should be introduced slowly and with caution, as with any new food on the diet.
For those who cannot tolerate dairy, there are non-dairy options for fermented foods. Sauerkraut is recommended as the best non-dairy option. If cabbage is tolerated on the diet, it can be fermented into sauerkraut. It is recommended to start with simple fermented foods before advancing to more complex ones.
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Beneficial bacteria
Probiotics are strains of beneficial bacteria that support our native beneficial bacteria. They also help control opportunistic bacteria and protect us from transitional bacteria and pathogenic organisms. The purpose of the SCD diet is to eliminate foods that feed the microbial world of the intestine to prevent the overgrowth of bacteria and yeasts. The diet relies on probiotic-rich foods to ensure that the correct beneficial bacteria are repopulated in the digestive tract.
SCD yoghurt is a staple of the SCD diet. Fermenting SCD yoghurt for 24-32 hours removes 99% of lactose sugars, but it still contains casein protein. Some people have reported improvements after cutting out yoghurt, cheese, and other dairy products. A non-dairy option is to make your own sauerkraut.
After being on the SCD diet for about 30 days and starting to feel better, you can introduce SCD-legal fermented yoghurt slowly. The diet also includes other fermented foods like sauerkraut, as well as meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, honey, and certain less-complex beans and pulses.
SCD Probiotics was founded in Kansas City, MO, over 25 years ago, with a commitment to community and agriculture. They offer a vegan probiotic supplement made from 100% responsibly sourced certified organic ingredients, formulated with 11 live probiotic strains that are both raw and unpasteurized.
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Yogurt
SCD yogurt is different from regular yogurt due to its fermentation process. SCD yogurt is fermented for 24 hours, which breaks down the lactose, making it digestible for those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The fermentation process also removes most of the lactose sugars, although some casein protein may remain. For this reason, it is recommended to start slowly with SCD yogurt, introducing a small amount at first to ensure it is well tolerated.
SCD yogurt can be made at home using a yogurt maker or a Yogourmet starter. It can be made with various types of milk, including cow's milk, sheep milk, goat milk, coconut milk, and nut milk. The process is simple and requires minimal hands-on time, although planning is necessary as the fermentation process takes 24 hours. The yogurt can be strained to achieve a thicker consistency, similar to cream cheese.
SCD yogurt is typically introduced after the initial phase of the diet, which focuses on soothing the intestinal tract with meat stock and soups. It is important to note that SCD yogurt should not be started immediately, especially for those with lactose intolerance or digestive disorders. Introducing a small amount of SCD yogurt after being on the diet for about 30 days is recommended, gradually increasing the amount as tolerated.
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Gut health
The SCD is a dietary approach aimed at managing various gastrointestinal disorders, including IBS, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and coeliac disease. The diet focuses on eliminating complex carbohydrates that can be difficult to digest and feeds the bacteria in the intestine. Instead, the SCD emphasizes "predigested" carbohydrates, meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, honey, and fermented foods. The goal is to nourish the individual while preventing the overgrowth of bacteria and yeasts in the gut.
Probiotics are live microorganisms, often referred to as "good" or beneficial bacteria. They can be found in fermented foods or taken as supplements. Probiotics help support the growth of native beneficial bacteria in the gut and control the opportunistic bacteria that can cause harm. This balance between different types of bacteria is crucial for maintaining gut health and preventing conditions like "Gut Dysbiosis," which is associated with diarrhea and constipation.
When starting the SCD diet, it is recommended to begin with a foundation of nourishing meat stock and soups for the first few days. This helps soothe the intestinal tract. After this initial phase, more variety can be introduced, including fermented foods like sauerkraut and 24-hour fermented yogurt, which are rich in probiotics. Some people choose to start with SCD-safe probiotic pills, but it is important to read labels as some pills may contain lactose and starches that could cause issues for those following the SCD diet.
SCD yogurt is often recommended as a safe and effective way to introduce probiotics while on the SCD diet. Fermenting SCD yogurt for 24-32 hours removes most lactose sugars, but it still contains casein protein, which may be problematic for some individuals. Therefore, it is advised to introduce SCD-legal fermented yogurt slowly after being on the diet for about 30 days and once you start feeling better. Non-dairy options, such as making your own sauerkraut, are also recommended.
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Frequently asked questions
The SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) is a diet that eliminates foods that feed the microbial world of the intestine, to prevent the overgrowth of bacteria and yeasts. The diet includes meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, honey, certain less-complex beans and pulses, and fermented foods such as sauerkraut and 24-hour fermented yogurt.
Fermented foods such as sauerkraut and SCD yogurt are good sources of probiotics. SCD yogurt can be made by fermenting yogurt for 24-32 hours to remove most of the lactose sugars, but it still contains casein protein.
It is recommended to start consuming probiotics after being on the SCD diet for about 30 days and when you start feeling better.
