Tummy The
Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)
Good & Bad Food List
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is a carb, grain and sugar-free diet that often helps with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, coeliac disease and autism symptoms.
Looking for alternatives to SCD?
Search below to filter the A-Z food list of good & bad (legal/illegal) foods for SCD. Click on a food for more details and to read comments & share your own.
The original SCD book by biochemist Elaine Gottschall. Buy @ AmazonSearch foods:
the good
Allspice
As long as you’re just using Allspice as a cooking spice, it’s legal. Don’t use the oil, see Allspice
Almond butter
Almond butter with no sugar added is allowed. Read this great almond butter recipe over at the Healthy Blender web site.
Almond milk
May be tried after being on the diet for 6 months. Don’t bother buying this in the stores, they all contain some kind of sugar or fake chemical sugar. For best almond milk get yourself a high-powered blender and raw almonds, and blend with some water. Fresh and pure almond milk, made at home with […]
Almonds
Nuts sold in mixtures are not allowed, as most are roasted with a starch coating. Nuts should only be used as nut flour, in recipes, until diarrhea has subsided.
Apple cider
It is brown and not clear as apple juice is. It should be just straight pressed apples. It is usually pasteurized in order to kill bacteria. Cider should be diluted with water before drinking.
Artichokes (French)
They are the green artichokes that you steam, then dip the leaves in lemon butter and scrape off with your teeth. They have edible hearts and an inedible choke.
Ascorbic acid
Should be nothing but Vitamin C.
Asiago cheese
May be used occasionally.
Asparagus
Fresh or frozen is allowed. Canned vegetables are not allowed.
Avocado oil
Good for mayonaise and salad dressings but might not withstand heat very well
Bacon
Smoked bacon that has been fried very crisply is allowed once per week. There are sugar-free bacons available and if you are able to find a source of sugar-free bacon, you do not have to limit your consumption to once per week. Usually the low sodium varieties do not contain sugar but check the labels […]
Bananas
They must be ripe with black spots on the skin.
Bean flour
Do not use ready made flours made from beans or lentils as they probably weren’t soaked prior to grinding to bean flour –
Beef
Fresh and frozen are allowed as long as nothing has been added during processing; check the labels carefully.
Berries
Berries of all kinds are legal.
Black beans
May be tried when symptom free. Dried legumes must be prepared according to the instructions in the book, Breaking the Vicious Cycle.’
Black radish
It is very fibrous, so go slowly and be careful.
Blue cheese
May be used occasionally.
Bok Choy
Bok Choy is much like cabbage and is legal but you should not use a member of the cabbage family until you are well on your way to getting better. In other words, do not use if you still have diarrhea and gas.
Bourbon
Only have it occasionally.
Brazil nuts
Nuts sold in mixtures are not allowed, as most are roasted with a starch coating.
Brick cheese
May be used freely.
Brie cheese
May be used occasionally.
Cabbage
You should not use a member of the cabbage family until you are well on your way to getting better. In other words, do not use if you still have diarrhea and gas.
Camembert cheese
May be used occasionally.
Canned fish
Canned in oil or water is acceptable but check the labels carefully. Do not buy products containing "broth". Usually, the low sodium varieties do not contain "broth".
Canned fruits
Fruits canned in their own juice are allowed.
Canola oil
Legal, but not recommended.
Cashews
Nuts sold in mixtures are not allowed, as most are roasted with a starch coating.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is sometimes hard to digest and should be tried cautiously after some progress has been made on the diet.
Celeriac /celery root
However, you should go slow and be careful. It is very fibrous, even if it doesn’t seem so when you steam it and mash it.
Cellulose (in supplements)
Cellulose in your supplements is okay and virtually impossible to avoid.+
Chard
Chard (red, green, rainbow and swiss). Chard is similar to spinach/celery so it is legal. It also reminds me a bit of the cabbage family so use with caution if gas is still a problem – Elaine
Cheddar cheese
May be used freely.
Cheese
If a cheese is not a processed cheese (manufactured) but is a cheese that has had a bacterial culture involved with its production and is aged at least 30 days. Elaine says its OK.
Cherimoya
Also known as custard apple or sharifa.
Chestnuts
May be tried when symptom free. However, if you buy dried chestnuts, soak them and cook them until soft.
Citric acid
Citric acid as an additive is OK
Coconut
Fresh or unsweetened, shredded coconut and coconut flour are all legal.
Coconut milk
May be tried after being on the diet for 6 months.
Coconut oil
Withstands heat well, good for frying/cooking,
Coffee
Coffee should be made very weak. Instant coffee is not allowed.
Collard greens
Of the cabbage family, introduce late in the diet
Colby cheese
May be used freely.
Courgette
Also known as zucchini
Cranberry juice
We use Knudsen’s Just Cranberry juice, as it has been checked out and does not have sugar added. It can be found in most health food stores. Juice should be diluted with water before drinking. Since this is pure cranberry juice it is very tart, you may sweeten it with saccharine or honey or dilute […]
Custard apple
Also known as sharifa or cherimoya
Cyclamate
It is actually a better alternative than saccharine, if you can get it, because it has no aftertaste. But it’s almost impossible to find by itself, and certainly not available in NA.
Dates
Medjool and California dates are allowed. They must be loose and not have anything added.
Dry curd cottage cheese (DCCC)
DCCC sources
Echinacea
Especially if it is in Alcohol, but even it is in pill form with a bit of lactose. It can be very helpful if a cold or flu is coming on.
Edam cheese
May be used occasionally.
Ethanol
Ethanol is alcohol – the kind in gin, etc.
Filberts (hazelnuts)
Nuts sold in mixtures are not allowed, as most are roasted with a starch coating. Nuts should only be used as nut flour, in recipes, until diarrhea has subsided.
Figs
Figs unpolluted by chemicals or additives are fine
Fish
Fresh and frozen are allowed as long as nothing has been added during processing; check the labels carefully.
Flax seed oil
see Flax seed and flax seed oil
Fowl
All types including turkey, chicken, duck, goose, pheasant, pigeon etc
Fruits (canned)
Fruits canned in their own juice are allowed.
Garlic
Use fresh garlic; garlic powders have starch added as anti-caking agents. You may also make your own garlic powder from fresh garlic by dehydrating it and grinding it yourself.
Gelatin (unflavored)
It is a denatured protein that has lost its tertiary structure although it is not the best protein.
Ghee
It’s clarified butter
Gin
Only have it occasionally.
Glycerin
Since glycerin is not a sugar to begin with, the "ol" at the end does not make it a sugar alcohol. Glycerin is considered to belong to the fat family. So does glycerol.
Glycerol
Since glycerin is not a sugar to begin with, the "ol" at the end does not make it a sugar alcohol. Glycerin is considered to belong to the fat family. So does glycerol.
Gorgonzola cheese
May be used occasionally.
Gouda cheese
May be used occasionally.
Grape juice
White or dark grape juice is allowed. We use Welch’s bottled grape juice, as it has been checked out and does not have sugar added. Avoid frozen grape juice, it usually has sugar added. Juice should be diluted with water before drinking.
Grapefruit juice
Only legal if fresh. Frozen
Green tea
Limited to 2 cups per day.
Ham
Only if cured with salt, it is illegal if cured with sugar dextrose etc see Ham
Haricot beans
These are legal and are the same as navy beans. Dried legumes must be prepared according to the instructions in the book, Breaking the Vicious Cycle.
Havarti cheese
May be used freely.
Hazelnuts (filberts)
Nuts sold in mixtures are not allowed, as most are roasted with a starch coating. Nuts should only be used as nut flour, in recipes, until diarrhea has subsided.
Homemade yogurt
See, Yoghurt for instructions on how to make legal yogurt.
Horseradish sauce
If homemade, if manufactured only if you know they have not added illegals
Kidney beans
(All Types) May be tried when symptom free. Dried legumes must be prepared according to the instructions in the book
Kimchi
See Kimchi on breakingtheviciouscycle.info
L-Theanine
It is an amino acid, as long as its pure without illegal binders, etc its legal, as with any new food go slow introducing it. – Seth
leucine
(supplement ingredient)
Lamb
Fresh and frozen are allowed as long as nothing has been added during processing; check the labels carefully.
Lecithin
Derived from soy (illegal). There is plenty of good lecithin in egg yolks, and Elaine sees no particular need to take it outside of a whole food.
Lentils
Dried legumes must be prepared according to the instructions in the book, Breaking the Vicious Cycle.
Lettuce
All varieties of lettuce are legal.
Lima beans
Dried or fresh are permitted. Dried legumes must be prepared according to the instructions in the book, Breaking the Vicious Cycle.
Limburger cheese
May be used occasionally.
Macadamia oil
Makes the best tasting mayo – Deborah. Withstands heat well
Magnesium citrate
(As a supplement ingredient)
Magnesium stearate
(As a supplement ingredient)
Mead
If homemade and ingredients are honey and yeast, commercial is likely to have sugar added and is illegal
Meats
All fesh or frozen meats with no additives or processing are legal including beef, lamb, pork, liver, kidney, oxtail and tongue
Melon
All types are Legal
Monterey jack cheese
May be used occasionally.
Muenster cheese
May be used occasionally.
Mustard (plain)
Mustard is legal as long as it doesn’t contain illegal ingredients; read the labels carefully.
Natural cheeses
See the appendix of the book, Breaking the Vicious Cycle, for a complete list of allowable cheeses.
Navy beans
Dried legumes must be prepared according to the instructions in the book, Breaking the Vicious Cycle.
Olive oil
Olive oil withstands heat well, good for frying cookng and is highly recommended.
Olives
Olives are legal as long as they do not contain illegal ingredients; read the labels carefully.
Onions
Use fresh onions. Onion powders have starch added as anti-caking agents. You may also make your own onion powder from fresh onions by dehydrating them and grinding them yourself.
Orange juice
Fresh orange juice that does not have sugar added is allowed. While diarrhea is active, avoid having orange juice in the morning. We use Tropicana’s Original Orange Juice, as it has been checked out and does not have sugar added.
Parmesan cheese
May be used occasionally.
Peanut butter
Natural peanut butter with no sugar added is allowed.
Peanuts
Peanuts in the shell may be tried cautiously after 6 months on the diet if diarrhea is gone. Shelled peanuts are illegal. Nuts sold in mixtures are not allowed, as most are roasted with a starch coating.
Pecans
Nuts sold in mixtures are not allowed, as most are roasted with a starch coating. Nuts should only be used as nut flour, in recipes, until diarrhea has subsided.
Peppermint tea
Some brands out there put in natural flavourings which would make them illegal, so check the ingredients carefully – Charlene
Peppers
Green, yellow, and red peppers are permitted. Also jalapeno peppers, habanera peppers, chili peppers, poblano peppers, relleno peppers, etc. are legal.
Pickles (dill)
Dill pickles are legal as long as they do not contain illegal ingredients; read the labels carefully. DILL PICKLES by Elaine Gottschall
Pine nuts
They are very hard to digest and even grinding them for pesto doesn’t make them any easier on your gut. May be tried in small amounts after symptoms have subsided.
Pineapple juice
Fresh pineapple juice that does not have sugar added is allowed. We use Dole’s unsweetened pineapple juice in the can, as it has been checked out and does not have sugar added. Juice should be diluted with water before drinking.
Pistachio nuts
They are legal, but the skins can be really tough for newbies. Avoid pink dyed or salted nuts because they often have starch added. You can get unsalted, unroasted pistachios at the health food store and then roast them yourself. For instructions see, Pistachio Nuts Dr. Andrew Weil Pistachios are a healthy snack in moderation. […]
Phosphatidylcholine
Another name for lecithin which is legal. Eggs have a huge amount of this but if you are not eating eggs
Pork
Fresh and frozen are allowed as long as nothing has been added during processing; check the labels carefully.
Pork rinds
Use the plain pork rinds with no added flavourings and check the label carefully to make sure they don’t contain illegal ingredients
Port du Salut cheese
May be used occasionally.
Potassium sorbate
(supplement ingredient)
Poultry
Fresh and frozen are allowed as long as nothing has been added during processing; check the labels carefully.
Provolone cheese
Although not listed with the other cheeses on page 140 of Breaking the Vicious Cycle, provolone cheese is legal.
Pumpkin
Fresh pumpkin is legal, canned pumpkin is not allowed. Butternut squash may be used as a substitute for pumpkin in baking.
Raisins
Try them cautiously.
Romano cheese
May be used occasionally.
Roquefort cheese
May be used occasionally.
Rutabaga
Also known as swede It is very fibrous, so go slow and be careful.
Salt
Ordinary iodized table salt, altho it sometimes has dextrose, is legal because it is important to get that iodine
Sashimi
(Japanese sushi-style raw fish served all by itself w/o rice)
saurkraut
Only for advanced SCD’ers
Scotch whisky
Only have it occasionally.
Seed butters
Seed Butters
Seeds
Permissible after 3 months of no symptoms.
Sharifa
Also known as custard apple or cherimoya
Shellfish
Fresh and frozen are allowed as long as nothing has been added during processing; check the labels carefully.
Silica
(supplement ingredient)
Silicon dioxide
(supplement ingredient)
Sodium benzoate
(supplement ingredient)
Soy lecithin
Derived from soy (illegal). There is plenty of good lecithin in egg yolks, and Elaine sees no particular need to take it outside of a whole food. Also see Carlsons fish oil
Spices
Spices of all kinds may be used, but avoid spice mixtures; buy spices separately.
Split peas
Dried legumes must be prepared according to the instructions in the book, Breaking the Vicious Cycle.
Squash
Both winter and summer squashes are legal.
Stilton cheese
May be used occasionally.
String beans
Also called Green Beans
Sulphates
When a fruit such as peaches (dried) and coconut is sulphated, it means it has been exposed to sulphur to keep the color from darkening. Some people are allergic to sulphated products but most of us are not bothered by them.
Swede
Another name for rutabaga
Swiss cheese
May be used freely.
Tabasco sauce
Only the original red Tabasco sauce, labeled ‘McIlhenny Company Tabasco Brand Pepper Sauce’ is legal but as with all manufactured products check the ingredients. The other Tabasco styles all have sugars and gums added.
Tea
Ordinary black tea is legal but should be made weak. Instant tea,Ojibwa tea (Essiac), many herbal teas, teas made from bark etc are full of polysaccharides and are illegal. Peppermint and spearmint herb teas are legal, and you can make a tea from ginger which is also legal.
Tomato juice (canned)
Should only have salt added. Also see Tomato Juice – canned
Tomatoes
Canned tomatoes are illegal.
Vanillin
But not in concentrated form see Vanillin
Vegetable stearate
I believe that stearate is always a fat (stearic acid) so vegetable stearate would be a fat from some vegetable like coconut
Vinegar
Red and white wine vinegar also white and cider vinegars are allowed but check the label for added illegals. Balsamic vinegar is not allowed as it has added sugar. However you can make your own legal balsamic vinegar substitute see scdrecipe
Vodka
Only have it occasionally.
Walnuts
Nuts sold in mixtures are not allowed, as most are roasted with a starch coating. Nuts should only be used as nut flour, in recipes, until diarrhea has subsided.
Walnut oil
Doesn’t withstand heat very well
Wasabi
As long as it is in its natural state and hasn’t had fillers added by a manufacturer
Water chestnuts
But avoid if you are a beginner on the diet see Water chestnuts
Wine
Very dry wine is legal. See, Wines for more information on dry wines.
Yoghurt (homemade)
See our detailed page on instructions for how to make SCD legal yogurt, which includes recipes, links to various sets of instructions around the web and a link to buy the basic yogurt maker.
Zucchini
Also known as Courgette
the bad
Aspartame
While Elaine, author of the SCD diet, says this is allowed after being symptom free, our readers have pointed out this is a dangerous chemical and should be avoided for general health. Best stick with whole foods and ingredients, not strange sounding chemicals. More info on Breaking the Vicious Cycle’s web site: Aspartame
Algae
We do not use algae (Spirulina) because IBD involves the immune system and algae can aggravate an already disturbed immune system.
Aloe vera
It contains mucilaginous polysaccharides as well as increasing the release of tumor necrosis factor which is associated with IBD inflammation and increased immune stimulation.
Amaranth flour
Amaranth is a grain substitute, contains starches and so is not allowed.
Apple juice
Apple juice usually has sugar added during processing. Apple cider is allowed. It should be brown and not clear as apple juice is. Cider should be diluted with water before drinking.
Arrowroot
It is a mucilaginous herb. Mucilaginous herbs are loaded with starch. This starch is food for the pathogens that the SCD™ is designed to starve out.
Artichokes (Jerusalem)
They are a tuber and not SCD-legal.
Astragalus
contains polysaccharides
Baker’s yeast
Saccharamyces cerevisae is baker’s yeast and is illegal.
Baking powder
Has starch as an ingredient, (usually corn starch) and other illegals to make it rise better.
Balsamic vinegar
It’s not that balsamic vinegar is illegal, it’s that what you can get in the store isn’t really balsamic vinegar and most have sugar added to them so Elaine doesn’t allow it. You can make your own legal substitute though see scdrecipe
Bark tea
Bark tea (Pau d’Arco) contains steroidal saponins and is both an immune booster and a laxative.
Bee pollen
Pollen is irritating to a damaged gut. Clear, pure, pasteurized honey is okay. Cloudy honey (still containing the pollen) should be avoided. – Sheila
Bhindi
No okra (bhindi) or drumsticks, since they are a mucilaginous food, they are illegal.
Bouillon cubes
Bouillon cubes and instant soup bases are not permitted.
Burdock root
It contains inulin (FOS) and mucilage.
Canned vegetables
There are no canned vegetables permitted, they must either be fresh or frozen.
Carrageenan
Carrageenan is seaweed and high in polysaccharides, therefore illegal.
Cereals
However for a hot cereal see SCDrecipe Hot cereal
Chevre
Chevre is illegal, but you can make a close approximation by dripping goat milk yogurt. Directions
Chewing gum
Contains things like aspartame, maple or date sugar and other sugar substitutes which are illegal.
Chickory root
Chickory root is not legal. In my first book, I suggested that it might be used instead of coffee beans. I have since learned that it contains large amounts of fructooligosaccharides. – Elaine
Chlorella
It is a blue-green algae similar to spirulina
Chocolate
Dr. Haas advised not to use cocoa or chocolate and this still goes, it isn’t just the sugar he was worried about.
Cocoa powder
Dr. Haas advised not to use cocoa or chocolate and this still goes, it isn’t just the sugar he was worried about.
Cream
It is illegal as it contains lactose. Cream can be added to milk and then fermented to make SCD™24hr yoghurt as the lactsose will be used up in the fermentation. Cream has less lactose than milk and the more fat it contains the less lactose it has.
Date sugar
May be tried after being on the diet for quite sometime and symptom free but it is not recommended.
Decaffeinated products
Decaffeinated products are not legal since the manufacturing process may introduce questionable ingredients or reactions..
Dextrose (contained in commercial products)
The problem with the dextrose and fructose which is being sold as a granulated form as well as the dextrose contained in commercial products is that it is not pure dextrose which should be the same as the single sugar glucose found in fruits and honey.
Drumsticks
No okra (bhindi) or drumsticks. Since they are a mucilaginous food, they are illegal.
Durum flour
Its a type wheat grain flour
EMPower
Has many Illegal ingredients, Brown Rice Bran, FOS, Bifidus, flax seed
Evaporated cane juice
Fancy name for sugar
Ezekiel bread
Sprouted grain breads are illegal.
Feta cheese
Feta may be used after about 6 months of improvement. But used only in small amounts.
Flax seed
see Flax seed and flax seed oil
FOS
Also known as fructooligosaccharides. See, FOS
Frozen orange juice (concentrated)
If orange juice is just frozen and has no additives then it is legal, however frozen orange juice is normally concentrated before freezing and the process to concentrate it makes it illegal see frozen orange juice processing
Fructose (granulated)
Granulated fructose (or even liquid) that is sold as "fructose" has a mixture of other trisaccharides, etc. in it. It is extracted from corn and they are not too fussy about eliminating a few molecules of whatever that may get in with it.
Garfava flour
Made from two types of beans
Glucose candy
Contains granulated glucose is known to contains other sugars in addition to glucose.
Goatein
It is a Protein powders that contains Bifidobacteria Bifidum. Protein Powders are a bad idea in any case as they’re generally oxidized cholesterol – damaged by heat. – Deborah
Granulated glucose
It is known to contains other sugars in addition to glucose.
Gums
All gums are illegal.
Hot dogs
Commercially produced hotdogs will normally be illegal but here is a legal recipe on SCDiet by Marilyn
Hydrolyzed protein
This is another term for MSG. Regardless of whether it is SCD™ legal or not, we should all try to avoid it. MSG can be a potent neurotoxin.
Ice cream
Commercially prepared ice cream is not allowed. However, there are many wonderful recipes for homemade ice cream.
Inositol
Inositol is a sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols will feed bacteria and that is something we do not want to do. Sugar alcohols generally cause diarrhea but small amounts in supplements are ok – Elaine
Inulin
Inulin is a FOS and is illegal, see Inulin
Iron supplements
Please do not get vitamins with iron; they encourage all kinds of infections especially in the gut, and iron has had much research done on it re other diseases. No oral iron if you can help it. Just eat the liver pate and if you like liver, eat it at least once a week.
Isoglucose
It is a new sweetner likely to be used in many products in future. See Isoglucose
Juice from concentrate
Juice from concentrate is normally illegal because when it is reconstituted they often add other things (like sugar). Often additives are not listed on the label
Kefir
See, Kefir
Ketchup
Commercially prepared ketchup contains sugar and is not allowed. See the gourmet section of the book, Breaking the Vicious Cycle for a ketchup recipe.
Kohlrabi
see Kohlrabi
Kudzu (or kuzu)
It is a mucilaginous herb. Mucilaginous herbs are loaded with starch. This starch is food for the pathogens that the SCD™ is designed to starve out.
Lactaid milk
The rate of flow of galactose to the liver when one drinks lactose hydrolyzed milk is high. With lactose hydrolyzed milk, you are ingesting the two sugars: glucose and galactose at the same time. Note: Lactaid Milk is Lactose Hydrolyzed Milk
Lactose hydrolyzed milk
The rate of flow of galactose to the liver when one drinks lactose hydrolyzed milk is high. With lactose hydrolyzed milk, you are ingesting the two sugars: glucose and galactose at the same time. Note: Lactaid Milk is Lactose Hydrolyzed Milk
Licorice
Licorice is both a demulcent and a laxative. For more info on demulcents see, Licorice and Demulcents
Lignin
Grinding lignin and tough stuff does not prevent certain microorganisms from thanking you for chewing up their nutrition. The little buggers then respond by eating faster and making more babies and toxins.
Maltitol
Sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol are all sugar alcohols and are not SCD™ legal. They fall under the category of indigestible carbs and sugars, and so allow companies to label things ‘sugar free’, even though they are providing nutrition to the bacteria that live in your digestive tract.
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is the worst of the small molecules of sugars. It is a very short chain of glucose molecules (derived from starch). The chances of digestion are practically nil. It therefore will feed bacteria and because of its particular structure, Elaine feels it is worse than even lactose.
Mannitol
Sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol are all sugar alcohols and are not SCD™ legal. They fall under the category of indigestible carbs and sugars, and so allow companies to label things ‘sugar free’, even though they are providing nutrition to the bacteria that live in your digestive tract.
Maple syrup
Maple syrup is a disaccharide.
Marshmallow
It is a mucilaginous herb. Mucilaginous herbs are loaded with starch. This starch is food for the pathogens that the SCD™ is designed to starve out.
Meats (processed)
Most have additives such as starch, lactose and sugar e.g. hot dogs, turkey loaf, spiced ham, bologna, smoked meats.
Milk
Fluid milk of any kind is not permitted.
Molo-cure
The main constituent of Molo-cure is aloe. Aloe is not SCD™ compliant as it contains mucilaginous polysaccharides as well as increasing the release of tumor necrosis factor which is associated with IBD inflammation and increased immune stimulation.
MSG
Regardless of whether it is SCD™ legal or not, we should all try to avoid it. MSG can be a potent neurotoxin.
Mucilaginous herbs
Slimy, mucilaginous substances are often prescribed as some think the "coating" properties are helpful to the intestines. They aren’t. We who have compromised guts cannot digest this stuff but our bugs can have quite a party on it.
Mucilaginous polysaccharides
Slimy, mucilaginous substances are often prescribed as some think the "coating" properties are helpful to the intestines. They aren’t. We who have compromised guts cannot digest this stuff but our bugs can have quite a party on it.
Natural flavors
"Natural flavoring" can be used to refer to anything, including the chemicals coming from big "flavor" companies which sell chemicals to food processors.
Nettles
Adverse effects from consuming nettle tea can range from upset stomach to burning sensations in the skin, difficulty in urination and bloating.
Okra
No okra (bhindi) or drumsticks, since they are a mucilaginous food, they are illegal.
Pappadum
They are an Indian snack made from lentils – they’re like a chip. Also contains rice flour
Parsnips
At one time, I had them included in my book but after getting feedback from the inflammatory bowel listserv, I took them off. Some children do well with them; others do not. However, they are pretty good from a carb standpoint and Dr. Haas allowed them. – Elaine
Pau ‘arco
Bark tea (Pau d’Arco) contains steroidal saponins and is both an immune booster and a laxative.
Pectin
It is a polysaccharide which, in the presence of acid and sugar, gels. It is used as a thickener in jams, and occurs naturally in some fruit, like apples. In apples, it’s mostly in the peel, and for someone beginning the diet, you normally wouldn’t get too much from eating an apple, because you’d peel […]
Pinto beans
Even after soaking they have the wrong kind of starch
Plantains
They contain too much starch.
Polysorbate 80
See Polysorbate 80
Port wine
Its full of sugar
Potatoes
Both white and sweet potatoes are illegal.
Primal defense
See, Primal Defense
Processed cheeses
See the appendix of the book, Breaking the Vicious Cycle, for a complete list of illegal cheeses.
Protein powder
See, Protein powder
Psyllium husks
They are loaded with cellulose and lignin which some bacteria thrive on. We accept that the cellulose in vegetables and fruit can be handled OK but a concentrated form such as husks would not be in order.
Pumpkin (canned)
Canned pumpkin is illegal. Butternut squash may be substituted for pumpkin in baking.
Quinoa
Since Quinoa is 60% starch, it is very illegal.
Rice
Both brown and white rice are illegal.
Rice bran
Except as a supplement filler as it is mainly oil. If one is taking a supplement which has proven to be efficacious, then the small amount of filler within the supplement will probably not have an adverse effect. – Elaine.
Sake
It is not a distilled spirit like Vodka and it is the distillation that removes the illegals – Seth Both sweet and dry sake still have sugar and actually the dry sake has more sugar than the sweet sake but you can’t taste it because of the acidity. – Kim
Seaweed
Seaweed is high in polysaccharides and therefore illegal.
Seed flour
It is not allowed because the quantity of the flour way surpasses the few seeds that Elaine had in mind when she said "seeds are permissible after 3 months of no symptoms."
Sesame seeds
Sesame seeds
Slippery elm
It is a mucilaginous herb. Mucilaginous herbs are loaded with starch. This starch is food for the pathogens that the SCD™ is designed to starve out.
Smoked meats
Unless you know with certainty that no sugar has been added during the smoking process, they are not permitted.
Sorbitol
Sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol are all sugar alcohols and are not SCD™ legal. They fall under the category of indigestible carbs and sugars, and so allow companies to label things ‘sugar free’, even though they are providing nutrition to the bacteria that live in your digestive tract.
Soy
See – Soy
Soy sauce
Soy sauce is a fermented soy product and also contains wheat so it is illegal.
Spirulina
We do not use algae (Spirulina) because IBD involves the immune system and can aggravate an already disturbed immune system.
Splenda
There are several reasons why it is illegal, see Splenda
Stevia
It’s molecular structure resembles a steroid and the effects are unknown. See, Stevia
Sucralose
There are several reasons why it is illegal, see Splenda
Tamari
It is made from soy
Tamarind
See, Tamarind
Tapioca
It is a starch, therefore illegal.
Taro
It has much too much starch in it and is very similar to potatoes.
Tofu
It is made from soy
Turbinado
It is liquid cane sugar
Turnips
In the most recent printing of BTVC (Ninth Printing – May 2002), turnips were moved from the ‘allowed’ list to the ‘not allowed’ list.
V8 juice
It has tomato paste listed as an ingredient. Elaine has listed tomato paste as being illegal. It is also made from concentrate and has added sugar.
Vegetables (canned)
Canned vegetables are not permitted; they must either be fresh or frozen.
Xylitol
Sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol are all sugar alcohols and are not SCD™ legal. They fall under the category of indigestible carbs and sugars, and so allow companies to label things ‘sugar free’, even though they are providing nutrition to the bacteria that live in your digestive tract.
Yoghurt (commercial)
Eating commercial yoghurt is not permitted. Commercial yoghurt may be used as a starter for making homemade yogurt. For directions for making yoghurt see, How to make yoghurt
Food list source: breakingtheviciouscycle.info, Happy Tummy is an expanded community resource.
Three Alternatives to SCD
Besides the Specific Carbohydrate Diet I've tried 3 other things that have significantly helped my Crohn's disease symptoms and related imflammatory and dietary issues.
- Paleo Diet — Over the long-term I found SCD wasn't strict enough, cheese and yogurt give me extra mucus and bloating so I tried paleo and it's the single best thing I've tried so far. And smoothies in the Vitamix help make this easier to attain when life gets busy.
- Medical Cannabis — When my Berkeley, California doctor suggested I try and vaporize medical cannabis to help my crohns and relieve inflammation I decided to have an open mind. While not for everyone, it made a difference for me.
- Yoga — Daily yoga practice is essential to feeling good both mentally and physically. If I skip a week or two I start feeling really irritated, stiff and easily upset throughout the day. Yoga brings balance and calm into my day.
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