The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)

It all starts with SIBO, or otherwise known as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. This occurs when there’s an abnormal increase in the number of bacteria in the small intestine, which can lead to symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

All “SIBO diets” have the same goal; to restore or maintain gut bacterial balance, so someone with SIBO feels better. The word “diet” is often associated with weight loss. But SIBO diets are not weight loss plans; they are a part of SIBO management. They are meant to decrease symptoms in people who don’t feel well.

The guidelines of the SCD are based on the chemical structure of foods and how easily they are digested. The theory behind the SCD is that there are specific carbohydrates that promote inflammation and increase the number of “bad” gut bacteria. This increase in bad bacteria prevents proper absorption of nutrients and vitamins.

This resembles the process seen in SIBO, hence the thought behind using it to treat SIBO. The allowed carbohydrates in this diet are simple monosaccharides (single molecules), which are easily digested and absorbed in the intestines. Complex disaccharides (double molecules) and polysaccharides (chain molecules) are not allowed.

Complex carbohydrates that are not easily digested can feed harmful bacteria, leading to bacterial overgrowth, irritation, and inflammation in the intestines. The diet works by starving these bacteria and restoring balance to the gut flora. As the microbiota begins to stabilize, the corresponding reduction of toxins and irritants in the intestines leads to decreased levels of inflammation.

Here is a chart of some foods to include and exclude on The Specific Carbohydrate Diet:

 

 CATEGORY INCLUDE EXCLUDE

Fruits:

 

  • Fresh, frozen, raw or dried fruits with no added sugar are acceptable

 

  • (apples, avocados, bananas (ripe with black spots), berries of all kinds, coconut, dates, grapefruit, grapes, kiwi fruit, kumquats, lemons, limes, mangoes, melons, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, prunes, raisins, rhubarb, tangerines)

 
  • Canned fruits and most fruit juices are not allowed due to the common addition of sweeteners, preservatives, and processing aids

Dairy and Eggs:
  • Cheeses such as cheddar, Colby, Swiss, and dry curd cottage cheese

  • Homemade yogurt fermented for at least 24 hours

  • Natural 30-day aged cow and goat cheeses (not Kraft), butter, ghee, and dry curd cottage cheese (DCCC)

 

  • Commercial yogurts, Milk of any kind, Cream, Sour Cream, Ice cream

 

  • Unnatural cheeses (Kraft and most other mainstream shredded cheeses fall into this group)

 

  • all of the following cheeses: cottage, cream, feta, gejetost, mozzarella, neufchatel, primost, ricotta, processed cheese spreads

 

Grains:

 NONE

 

  • All grain including corn, wheat, wheat germ, barley, rye, oats, Rice, buckwheat, millet, triticale, bulgur, spelt, quinoa. (This includes bread, pasta and baked goods made with grain-based flour)

 

Meat:

 

  • Fresh, unprocessed meats, poultry, fish/shellfish

 

  • Meats without additives (chicken, turkey, beef, fish, pork, wild game,

bacon, lamb)

 

 

  • Canned or processed meats

 

  • Ham, processed sausages, lunch meats, bratwurst, turkey dogs, hot dogs

Beans and Legumes:

 

  • dried beans, lentils, split peas, peas, white beans, navy beans, lima beans, kidney beans, black beans, raw cashews, raw peanuts, and all-natural peanut butter

 
  • soybeans, chickpeas, bean sprouts, mungbeans, fava beans, garbanzo beans

Vegetables:

 

  • Fresh or frozen forms of most commonly eaten vegetables are acceptable

 

  • (asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, kale, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, peas, peppers, pumpkin, spinach, squash, string beans, tomatoes and watercress)

 
  • Canned vegetables are not allowed due to the usual addition of sugars, processing aids, and preservative chemicals.

Starches:

 NONE

 

  • Starchy tubers such as potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, and turnips, arrowroot, parsnip, cornstarch, tapioca starch

 

Nuts & Seeds:

 

  • Almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, chestnuts (no additives for butters, salted mixes, and flours)

 

Fats & Oils:

 Most Oils
  • Canola Oil and store-bought mayonnaise

Beverages:

 

  • Weak tea or coffee, water, mineral water, club soda, dry wine, gin, rye, Scotch, bourbon, vodka

 
  • Instant coffee, most commercial juices, milk, soda pop, sweet wines, flavored liqueurs, brandy, sherry

Sweeteners:

 Honey

 

  • Sugar of any kind (cane, coconut, table, etc), agave, molasses, syrup, maple syrup, sucrose, processed fructose, including high-fructose corn syrup or any processed sugar, artificial sweeteners

 

Spices & Miscellaneous:

 

  • Most non-mixed spices are allowed, screen for anti-caking agents, and make sure the ingredients are listed

 

  • Mustard Cider
  • White Vinegar

 
  • Seaweed and seaweed byproducts
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