Community Forum

How many of you have tried the SCD diet?  I am seriously thinking about trying it.  I just received my yogurt maker in the mail today, along with some almond flour.  I would love to know if it worked for some of you!  I have UC and am currently taking Asacol.

 Reply posted for jav.

I tried doing this diet for about a month.... it was SOO HARD for me!! Since I have a habbit for eating (I'm not fat, in fourth grade i was down to 50 pounds!), I  needed food! OMg there was like nothing for me to eat!  However, this diet worked for me with Remicade, and after about a month i couldn't take it anymore-- i NEEDED potatoes. so for about a week i had a potato craving, and now (4 years later) i eat watever i want (Dont do it... i have a whole other story behind it) and the remicade does its job.. so thank you, for bringing potatoes into this world! ;) 

 Reply posted for jav.

There are no double-blind, large-population studies attesting to the effectiveness of the SCD diet.

I tried it at one point, and it did not help at all--it only caused weight loss that aggravated my overall health problems. Other people have had a more positive experience with the diet. It's hard for some people to maintain their weight with no wheat or potatoes in their diet. The reality is that no single dietary regimen for Crohn's--and there are lots of them out there!--works for everyone. It varies from person to person.

You might notice that proponents of the diet talk about the need for "strict" adherence--as though any failure of the diet to help someone is due to insufficiently strict observance rather than any flaws in the diet itself. That way they are protected against any claims of ineffectiveness for the diet--the fault is always the dieter's, never the diet!

If you want to try the diet, that's fine. Just don't be disappointed if it doesn't work, and don't blame yourself. There's no scientific evidence that it works at all--only the anecdotal claims of its proponents.

 Reply posted for jav.

I think it really depends on the patient. We tried it for our daughter and it made no difference at all--gluten just isn't one of her triggers. It was also *very* difficult to keep to the diet; I had to make my own ketchup, yogurt, mayo, etc. from scratch and had to remember to read labels on EVERYTHING. I do think that if you're willing to be extremely conscientious about it, it's worth a try.

 Reply posted for jav.

I think it really depends on the patient. We tried it for our daughter and it made no difference at all--gluten just isn't one of her triggers. It was also *very* difficult to keep to the diet; I had to make my own ketchup, yogurt, mayo, etc. from scratch and had to remember to read labels on EVERYTHING. I do think that if you're willing to be extremely conscientious about it, it's worth a try.

 Reply posted for jav.

I have been on the SCD for thirteen years and read hundreds of stories of people who have been cured or helped  by the diet.. I was privileged to have a close friendship with Elaine Gottschall who researched and promoted the diet that was originated by Dr. Sydney V. Haas and his son. The diet demands very strict compliance but once healing begins there is a generous variety of wholesome, readily available  food which can be made into delicious dishes and even resemble food that is restricted. The SCD community offers online free support, has sources for the optional prepared foods that comply (mostly baked goods and snacks).Mainly, SCD relies on fruits, vegetables, nuts, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, honey, certain cheeses and homemade yogurt. There are a number of good cookbooks for those who want recipes. I can't say enough good things about SCD and recommend it be tried at least for one month. You should check with your doctor and continue your medication but may find that after awhile you may not need it.

SCD has helped not only those with IBD like Crohns, Colitis and Celiac, but also children with autism.. There is growing interest in the effects of the balance of gut flora, the relationship of  digestion to brain function and upon the immune system and more studies are currently underway.

Although I am not cured, I am greatly improved and manage my symptoms very well using SCD.