What is the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD DIET)
A diet created by Dr Sidney Haas but popularized by Elaine Gottschell.
Brief Background on SCD DIET
When Elaine’s 4yr old daughter Judy became very ill she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.Elaine was frustrated by the failure of multiple medications that were not working and the doctors saying food had nothing to do with her illness. She was faced with a tough decision. To put her daughter through an operation that would remove her colon, or her daughter would get worse. She refused to accept this doctors opinion.
She heard of the success of a specialist named Dr Haas and decided to pay him a visit in New York. He immediately asked what Judy was eating. This was the first time a doctor ever asked about the food her daughter was eating. He instructed her to implement his diet regimen. She did this promptly. Judy began to improve quickly and within 2 years she was symptom free. By this time Dr Haas passed away, Elaine knew at this point his legacy would stop with his death.She decided to get involved by getting dr Hass’ message out to other people that were suffering.She went back to school and began educating herself earning degrees in biology, biochemistry, and cellular biology.
She began helping people and eventually self published the book called Breaking the Vicious Cycle… and the rest is history
What is the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD DIET) ?
The SCD DIET is one limits the use of complex carbs specifically (disaccharides + polysaccharides) and monosaccharides are allowed.*
In simple terms you are not allow
ed to eat double sugars like..sucrose and lactose (sugar and milk)….. but simple single chain sugar like honey, and sugar from fruit is allowed.
The diet is gluten free and eliminates many processed carbs, flours, wheat, oats, barley, rice, sugar, potatoes, also removes lactose.. milk, commercial yogurts etc The diet is organized by having legal foods and illegal foods.
SCD Diet Food List (Allowed foods)
You can find an awesome list of illegal and legal foods using this link. It goes to the Elaine’s personal website.
SCD Diet for Crohn’s and Colitis?
A healing diet for people who suffer from Inflammatory bowel diseases like: Crohns Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Celiac , (IBS) , and Diverticulitis.This diet has also been used successfully for people who suffer from autism.
Does the SCD DIET work?
that’s what you really want to know…..
It has worked for many people… whether it was the initial diet they started or the one they came back to if symptoms returned. You will find many testimonials of people who overcame their autoimmune diseases like Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis using this diet. You will also find a few studies showing the success rate of the diet.I think adopting a healing diet like SCD Diet is integral to overcoming your shitty diseases. It along with some game changing supplements can truly change your life.
If your considering a diet to help you overcome your Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) this should be one of your top contenders. Simply do a google search or search in YouTube and review peoples experiences. The proof is in the pudding let see what you find.
WHY Choose SCD DIET Lifestyle
- Program is clear with Legal (allowed) and Illegal food list (this is awesome if you need structure)
- One of the first healing diets so lots of information and resources available
- There are a few smaller studies backing it up
- The SCD Community is awesome. People are truly supportive and willing to help you while your adhering to the diet.
- It has worked to help people live normal lives with minimal to no IBD symptoms
Cons, Problems, Issues With The SCD DIET
Although I’m grateful for this approach as it started my healing journey, it’s not perfect. Here are a few reasons:
- Many people go from SAD diet to SAD version of SCD DIET (way too much honey, nuts, and baked nut flour products
- Very strict with illegal and legal foods (if you don’t like structure)
- Can cause Flare Scare when you eat an illegal food. Making you scared every time you eat out and something “might” be on the illegal list. For many people this can push them into a flare state.
- Since Elaine has passed away her research has concluded and the diet can no-longer adapt to new research or experiences.
- The mindset of the community can be closed minded and not open to new things outside the scd box (most likely due to Elaine’s passing)
The SCD Diet helped me overcome most symptoms but I eventually hit a plateau. When I started trying things outside the SCD box the community was not supportive. Regardless of rational explanations or evidence as that’s not what Elaine said in the book. I might have not agreed with them but I understood where they were coming from.
Whatever healing approach you choose I urge you to stay open minded. Trust your god given critical mind and what makes sense on a practical level. There is not only 1 solution to any given problem so do not lock yourself in a box. This is especially true if you are NOT seeing results. You need to do what feels right for you, trust your gut feeling!
Is SCD DIET The Best Diet program for Crohn’s and Colitis
Over a decade of speaking with people and I don’t believe it’s the best diet for healing Crohns and Colitis. Yes I it’s awesome and it works. But there are a few other options and tweaks that can significantly improve your results. I have mentioned many of these things in my guide below.
Check out my free GUIDE I urge you to check it out as it offers lots of free advice, tweaks, and hacks that actually work.
Also if you are very interested in trying the SCD DIET and want more information about how to start the diet I urge you to check out one of the following resources:
- SCD Lifestyle (Jordan & Steve) 2 awesome dudes who thrived on this approach and have created content to help others. They provide topnotch stuff!
- BTVC (Elaines official Website)
- Basic guide from Stanford School
Thanks for tuning in. I wish you the best in overcoming your digestive issues.
