“The Specific Carbohydrate Diet™ has helped millions of people who suffer from various forms of bowel disease and other ailments to vastly improve their quality of life. It is a diet intended for those suffering from Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, diverticulitis, cystic fibrosis and chronic diarrhea. It has also been effective in the treatment of autism. “
From Elaine Gottschall ~ Author of Breaking the Vicious Cycle
By focusing on unprocessed, whole foods, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet is naturally packed with nutrients and has much in common with other proven therapeutic diets (i.e. autoimmune protocol, Low FODMAP, Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet and even the Mediterranean Diet). Even those that do not follow the SCD diet for healing agree that it is the preferred way to eat. Not only has this diet provided healing for our daughter’s gut, but it has also transformed the way our whole family shops and eats. We feel confident that we are feeding our bodies in the best way with exciting, gorgeous and delicious meals and snacks!
Read on for valuable tips and click here to learn more about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet
The Right Mindset
- The SCD diet was created to give your body a break from the inflammatory foods we traditionally eat. Eliminating these SCD ‘illegal’ foods gives your body a chance to heal. However, the SCD diet is NOT meant to be followed forever! It is recommended for a minimum of 2 years and then you begin to slowly add back in foods to see which ones your body will tolerate.
- The healing, the diet and this lifestyle is an ongoing JOURNEY. There is no end point. Our bodies will change and there may be setbacks. It’s OK! We have re-started the diet from the beginning a couple times just to calm our bellies down.
- SCD meals are versatle, colorful exciting and, most importantly, make you feel great! Yes, there are restrictions. But the benefits FAR outweigh the drawbacks. You are not destined to a life of boring tasteless food!
The Right Websites
There are countless websites that focus on intentional eating- too many to list here! These are just a few that we use regularly.
Breaking the Vicious Cycle – Specific Carbohydrate Diet
The Official SCD website with TONS of info.
The Best Method for Healing with SCD (pecanbread.com)
Another information rich SCD website
Wellbees – SCD – Gluten Free, Grain Free, Refined Sugar Free
An online store with ALL SCD legal products. We make almost all of our own food at home but in a pinch, I know these products are legal and delicious. Plus, they deliver!
Comfy Belly | Recipes & Inspiration For A Healthy Life
One of my very favorite SCD legal food blogs. I know if I make one of Erica’s meals, it is going to be great!
Every Last Bite | Healthy Grain Free Recipes
A go-to website for delicious, gorgeous SCD legal recipes. Carmen’s story is similar to ours, so I feel great cooking and sharing her inflammation fighting meals!
Cookie and Kate – Whole Foods and Vegetarian Recipe Blog
Another food blog with yummy recipes. Not all are SCD legal and because it is a vegetarian site, we often add chicken, turkey or fish to many of these recipes. I especially love Kate’s salads and dressings!
Home – The Real Food Dietitians
These ladies focus on clean, whole foods in general. Their recipes are not all SCD legal, but a couple of my all-time favorite creations were inspired by these Dietitians.
The Right Books
Keep a hardcopy cookbook or two on hand. Many of the recipes I’ve found in these books have become my go-to meals! Here are a few of the best paleo, whole food or SCD cookbooks.
Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall- A MUST READ- no exceptions! It is the official book about the diet, and it has so much wonderful information that is easy to read even if you’re not a doctor or scientist! It gives you step by step instructions to introduce the diet and then how to progress with it. There are even some of Elaine’s tried and true recipes included.
A Taste of Wellness– A cookbook dedicated exclusively to SCD recipes. I especially love the yummy baked goods recipes in this book!
Against All Grain– The gorgeous cookbook that features grain-free, dairy-free, super clean recipes. I know if I use one of Danielle Walker’s recipes, it is sure to be delicious! The cookbook is not solely SCD, but Danielle does indicate the recipes that are SCD legal.
Practical Paleo– Considered the “Paleo Bible”, this book includes guides, information, meal plans AND recipes. Not all, but most of the recipes are SCD legal. It is organized well with beautiful photos and easy to follow recipes.
Cooking for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet– Author, Erica Kerwien, creator of the blog Comfy Belly, is a talented chef and recipe creator. Her meals are always some of my favorites! As the title suggests, the recipes in this book are all SCD legal.
