Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)

The specific carbohydrate diet removes specific carbohydrates (polysaccharides, some oligosaccharides, disaccharides and polyols) and has been shown to be effective in healing IBD in one research study. The SCD website specifies that the diet is mainly used for treating Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, diverticulitis, cystic fibrosis and chronic diarrhea but some people also use it for treating SIBO. It utilizes a system of “legal/illegal” foods and recommends very strict adherence. It recommends starting with an introduction diet and expanding the diet from there.  The book “Breaking the Vicious Cycle” is available that details research, the diet, testimonials and recipes and the website has a variety of information available.