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Healthcare with SCD Diet

This post shares my experience with healthcare with SCD diet, I am not a doctor nor have I consulted one before writing this post. This post only shares my experiences and what has or has not worked for me.

Everybody is different and what will work for some people will not work for all. It is best to speak with your healthcare provider for guidance and do your own research before taking your healthcare into your own hands.

This post contains affiliate links which means that if you click a link and make a purchase, I will get a small portion of the sale at no additional cost to you.

Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis

When I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, an auto-immune disease that in my case, affects the entire colon, I was never given a detailed explanation of my disease by my healthcare provider who specializes in gastroenterology.

He only offered large quantities of pills and explained that once the pills stopped working to control my symptoms, I would need surgery. He explained that it was only a matter of time before surgery to remove my colon would be unavoidable and along the way, I would be taking medicines with a long list of side effects.

I was shocked by his lack of help and got a second and third opinion. It turned out every doctor had the same plan, give me large amounts of pills and let me know that surgery will happen someday, there is no cause or cure for the disease, and that diet has nothing to do with it.

Is the SCD Diet Healthy?

I refused to believe that diet had nothing to do with my disease flaring up. It seemed to me that any logically thinking person would agree that digestive diseases are directly related to the foods we eat. I began looking for alternative treatments and even cures although the highly paid medical professionals fought me every step of the way.

I stumbled across a video explaining how the SCD Diet has helped people with Ulcerative Colitis. It referenced a book called Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall.

I knew I had put thousands of dollars into doctors’ bills and I thought why not spend $10 on a book and learn about the SCD Diet?

Healthcare with SCD Diet

Once I received the book I couldn’t put it down, I was so excited about the possibility of healing my gut. I had been sicker than I had ever been in my life and the pills seemed to be making me worse.

To be completely honest, I had a really hard time understanding the book at first. I had to read most of the book three times before I understood half of it and even then I knew I didn’t completely understand it.

Considering I was given very little information by my healthcare providers about this disease, I was a little overwhelmed reading words I had never heard before about body parts I knew very little about.

Although I didn’t have the best understanding of why it worked, I tried the diet anyway. The foods were all very healthy and I knew I had absolutely nothing to lose.

To my surprise almost immediately (within a couple of days) I felt better than I had in years. Eventually, I felt so good I decided to stop taking my medicines. I knew they were poisoning my body and I knew that the doctors obviously had no clue what they were talking about, it seemed as though they wanted to keep me sick and on pills for the rest of my life.

Healthcare With SCD Diet

The food we eat is either feeding a disease or curing one.

That is a truth for everyone, not just for those who suffer from the many diseases the SCD Diet treats. (Chron’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticulitis, Celiac Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Autism, ADHD, and more)

Recently I stumbled across a video of Elaine Gottschall, talking about her book Breaking the Vicious Cycle
I wish I had seen this video when I was struggling to understand the text of her book but now it all makes sense to me.

If you are a visual learner like me or have a little bit of time on your hands, I suggest you watch this video, it may change your life for the better. It’s free and totally worth every second of your time.

What Is the SCD Diet Foods List?

You can find the list in several different places online but this is an easy-to-find, easy-to-view, easy-to-print SCD Diet Foods List with great information.

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SCD Recipes for Specific Carbohydrate Diet

I have been sharing SCD Recipes for many years so you can find many different SCD Breakfasts, SCD Lunch Recipes, SCD Dinner Recipes, SCD Snacks, and SCD Dessert Recipes on this site. Head to the search bar at the top of the homepage to find something specific or click on each category at the top to find what you are looking for or just scroll through the SCD Recipes category.

Don’t forget to check out this post sharing How to Make Yogurt for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. You will quickly find that homemade yogurt is an SCD staple and you will want to familiarize yourself with the process of making your own homemade yogurt for SCD.

Be sure to follow along on social media and sign up for the free newsletter so that you never miss another SCD Recipe post again. This site also shares other low-carb recipes that work for diets such as Keto but many of the recipes are SCD-friendly or easily made Specific Carbohydrate Diet-friendly.

About Thirty Something Super Mom

Melissa Dixon Thirty Something Super Mom
Thirty Something Super Mom | Website

My journey started after a Crohn's disease diagnosis, inspiring a commitment to well-being. This site shares my distinctive approach to healthy living with my collection of nutritious recipes that boast authentic flavors, mimicking the indulgence of traditional dishes. I love sharing guilt free recipes for low carb, keto, gluten-free, paleo, and the specific carbohydrate diet. I also share tips on natural living, including homemade cleaners and cleaning hacks. I also share my experience as a veterinary technician and pet groomer, to integrate pet health tips, homemade dog food recipes, and grooming insights to ensure your pets thrive.

Jessie

Wednesday 2nd of August 2017

I'm reading this book now. Did you have success with the diet? Or did you have to have surgery anyway. If it didn't work for you, what do you think went wrong?

Melissa

Monday 7th of August 2017

Hi Jessie! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I would always suggest trying the diet fully because I do believe despite what the doctors tell everyone, food is directly related to this disease. I am not sure what went wrong with me and Elaine describes in then book that it does not work perfectly for everyone. You would have to refer back to the book for the exact ratio of people but I believe it to be like 10-20% or something like that, it will not work for, I must have fallen in that unlucky bunch. I did have to have the surgery. I am still adjusting to life one year later but the surgery saved my life so I am happy that it was an option. I wish you much success with the diet and hope you keep checking back as I still enjoy creating and sharing SCD recipes!

April Ledbetter

Monday 12th of October 2015

My daughter (now 17) was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 2 years ago. She was also told she needed to take medicine for the rest of her life that would have horrible side effects and possible surgery later on in life....not to mention how much the medicine costs! Yikes!! We came across the book Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall as well. My daughter has never felt better!! Her disease still has it's ups and downs, but not even close to what she had when she was in the hospital. Unfortunately the doctors told us the same things and said a low fiber diet would be best...yes that's true, but everything the dietitian recommended (in the hospital) wasn't on the "legal" list. I've come to find that the SCD helps me as well since I also have minor intestinal issues. I share this book with all of my friends and family as well. It really does help to know what this disease is and how to help someone with this alternative treatment. It was difficult to start this new diet, but well worth the time and effort!!! I find that if I eat something other than what the book has and other SCD recipes it just doesn't taste right anymore considering all of the "artificial flavoring" is in it along with the other fillers that preserve the jarred and canned foods. I believe those preservatives and processed ingredients are a big factor in intestinal problems. My daughter is excited when we make something new to add to our Mom and Daughter recipe box :)

Melissa

Monday 12th of October 2015

Thanks for stopping by, I love hearing from people who have found healing with the diet. I have still never in person met someone else following this diet or anyone who has even heard of it for that matter. Your daughter is lucky to have a mom like you that helps her with her healing. I am amazed by how many people refuse to try it. I was ecstatic when I found out that I could possible get better! I also have tried non SCD foods since starting the diet and it did not taste the same to me either. All of the foods that haunted me in the beginning of the diet, no longer tasted good and now I know I can live without them! I also feel that the processed foods and added poisons are a huge factor with my illness as well. I try to get my family to eat SCD foods when possible. I love when my daughter enjoys the recipes I make for the diet as well because I don't have to worry about what's in it. I try to post one SCD recipe a week on the site, I love sharing them and hearing what everyone else thinks, even the non SCd'ers!

TM

Wednesday 2nd of September 2015

Wow, I have been through the exact same thing you have been through, except for me, a z-pack antibiotic for sinus infection started messing up my digestion and then the day after knee surgery to fix torn cartilage, and I had explosive diarrhea... I am in Cedar Rapids too and had the exact same experience you did at the GI here in town. After suffering for a few years with the drugs, I finally quit the drugs and started eating SCD. It took about 6 months to get back to normal, without the drugs. I had been doing great on SCD until trying some bread a few months ago, which gave me a flashback of the suffering all over again. I am just now starting to get back to normal. No more grains for me... ever. Do you eat any fermented foods at all? I have drank milk kefir that I make at home with some grains I ordered online for about 2 1/2 years. I also made kombucha tea and water kefir (but not SCD legal) and homemade fermented sauerkraut and dill pickles. I backed off after eating the bread but have been back to the milk kefir for a few weeks now, trying to eat more to gain back the 12 lbs I lost. I may try some of your recipes. I got the book Against All Grains from the CR library and it has tons of great recipes but I am still afraid to add too much back into my diet, at this point. I spend a lot of time reading online about dybiosis and leaky gut and have learned so much, I could tell those doctors a thing or two as well. The thought has crossed my mind to picket in front of that GI office to tell others about SCD, so they can be set free from the forever drug curse as well.

Melissa

Thursday 3rd of September 2015

Wow ! It's exciting to hear from someone in the area although I hate to see anyone else have this problem. Yes I had these problems at the local GI in town also and I have had the exact same thought about picketing in front of the building. I thought I was crazy, so glad someone else shares my feelings on this matter and is as frustrated with the poor care and pill pushing of the doctors. I have also tried eating foods that I know I shouldn't only to be quickly reminded that SCD is the only way for me. It's hard sometimes when I go out to eat with my family because most restaurants do not cater to this diet. Bread smells so yummy and I have caved with the same repercussions as you. We are only human and we live and learn. I have heard great things about that book too and hope to write my own someday. The recipes have made this diet so much easier for me and others who have tried them. My family who do not follow the diet loved them as well. I try to post a few times a week so I can share as many of these recipes as possible. If you like my facebook page you will never miss a recipe. So glad to hear from you, thanks for stopping by!

JDaniel4's Mom

Saturday 11th of July 2015

I love this quote of yours, "The food we eat is either feeding a disease or curing one."

Jennifer McLucas

Friday 10th of July 2015

the same thing happened when I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, my doctor prescribed pills I would need to take the rest of my life. I was surprised and asked him about making lifestyle changes instead, the diet and exercise basics I had learned in high school. His answer was that it might work but I probably wouldnt be able to be consistent and it would be easier to just take the pill. I was floored! After reading all the side effects I decided not to start taking the pills and instead started jogging for 30 minutes a few times a week. That was the only change I made and within 6 weeks my blood pressure was back to normal. Plus I felt great! The side effects of jogging were increased energy, improved digestion, and an overall feeling of wellness. Plus I felt super empowered that I had made a decision to take better care of myself.

Diet is still an area I struggle with, partly due to not knowing what my body actually needs and partly due to lack of planning. I look forward to checking out the videos. Thanks so much for sharing your story!