SCD Diet

I'd like to give a diet a try to see if it helps with my symptoms.. where should I start researching for the SCD diet? Any good books or websites? Who has found it helpful for them??

Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall. It is the founding book of the diet. There is also a website.

Cookbooks:
Recipes for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet by Raman Prasad
Grain-Free Gourmet by Jodi Bager and Jenny Lass
Everyday Grain-Free Gourmet by the same authors

I have found it to be of immense help. I was doing quite badly and was going to have to start injections, but I thought I would try the diet first. Results? No cramps, no nausea, I could eat without having to curl into a little ball for a few hours afterwards. Bowel movements went from diarrhea to normal. Best possible thing I could have done for myself at that point! I am still on it, and have been for four months. I was able to add rice into the diet without ill effect, so I know I am definitely not conforming to it strictly, but I do what works. I also have so much energy back, it is really astounding. I have started working, and am able to exercise almost every day. This diet really was a godsend. Please let me know if you have more questions, and good luck!

The book that C6H12O6 by Raman Prasad is a good one and he has a website, scdrecipe.com. I also like using Against All Grain, SCD for life, and Eat With Your Eyes (just type in Eat With Your Eyes SCD on your seachpage.) All three are updated often and completley free.

It wasn't helpful for me, but I do think it's a healthy diet if you're able to stick to it! I was on it for about 6 months before ditching. The diet was stressful for me, especially during social gatherings, so I think that's why it didn't work out so well. Worth trying anyway - and the yogurt is super yummy!

Certain kinds/cuts of meats are difficult to digest - red meat being the most difficult. You'd probably want to focus more on eating chicken breasts and using healthy oils (olive, coconut, avocado) to add extra calories and make it taste better. Salmon is another good protein source. Chicken thighs can be pretty decent, too, if you roast them and drain the fat off. I like to have an occasional burger or steak even though it causes some bloat/discomfort. Boiling red meat can really help with that (but let's face it, boiled meat isn't exactly the most attractive cooking method).

Personally, I don't think cutting out so many things in the long term is healthy. When I was on SCD I was always hungry no matter how much I ate, I lost an enormous amount of weight (and I was already thin from flaring to begin with), and I just didn't like being on the diet.

I personally do just fine with carbs and I think a low-res/fiber diet has been a good fit for me. I do miss eating certain fruits and veggies, but I feel I have way more options now and I don't have to freak out any time someone asks me if I want to go out to eat. It feels more balanced. But some people feel more balanced on SCD! All you can do is try it out and make sure you keep a food diary to see how it makes you feel. Just make sure you are not hard on yourself if you slip, and pay attention to what your body is telling you. The most important thing is that you take care of yourself and that might not necessarily mean "fanatical adherence". Best of luck!