How The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is Helping Heal My Gut

Posted by Amina AlTai on

I became a health coach partly as a way to learn the information I'd need to manage my own health.  As a marketer with a big career in NYC I was overstressed, developed two autoimmune diseases and really needed to reimagine my relationship with food and, well, everything.


While my celiac disease and Hashimoto's are under control thanks to a clean diet, stress management, and a kick-ass workout schedule, I still have good days and bad.  The last few months I've been working to manage a bacterial infection, parasites, and ongoing allergies thanks to a leaky gut. I've tried every supplement, every leaky gut protocol and every healer (I'll seriously spend money on anything promising to get me well!) but there are still a few niggling things that just don't feel right. Namely, mega stomach cramps and major water retention mostly in my face.  And while my grandmother swears said cheeks will keep me looking younger for longer, no one wants #MoonFace.  So, I decided to try a SCD or Specific Carbohydrate Diet.  


"What on earth is that," you ask?  As you might have guessed, the SCD is about eating very specific types of carbohydrates based on their molecular structure.  While it was designed mainly for those managing conditions such as Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease and other chronic ailments, when implemented correctly, it can be a healthy and helpful approach to eating for most people.  The approved carbohydrates are monosaccharides which have a single molecule structure allowing them to be absorbed much easier than disaccharides and polysaccharides as complex carbs are not easily digested; in fact, they actually feed the bad bacteria in our gut -- thus perpetuating inflammation and harmful bacteria.  Thanks but no thanks.  

 

So, what exactly is allowed?  Foods like almond butter (woo!), lentils and grapes fall in the "yes" category while agave syrup, chickpeas and pasta all fall into the "no" bucket.  You can see a full list here.   While I'm only a few weeks into my SCD, I already feel noticeably better and my cheeks well, smaller.  But don't take my word for it.  A recent study found that SCD in patients with IBD had notable changes in their microbiome—which impacts everything from our immunity to dopamine and serotonin levels.  So, if you've tried everything and nothing has worked, it might be time to give up the quinoa.  

Gut health Nutrition Specific Carbohydrate Diet wellness

← Older Post Newer Post →

News

RSS
Tags
2017 resolutions adaptogens adrenal fatigue alcohol Alkalizing foods Almond Butter Cups amina altai Asana asking for a raise athleisure Bibliotherapy biscuits blueberry cheesecake bars Brooklyn Burnout Business Travel caffeine caffeine withdrawal chakras cheddarbiscuits chocolate cleanse cleanse your mind coconut sugar Coffee Consciousness cooking class dessert Detox diet Dry January Dry-Uary eating mindfully Emotional Energy Clearing entreprenourished face oils family stress fitness Food allergies foods for hypothyroidism Gluten Free gluten free snacks glutenfree goal setting golden milk golden milk chai guide to sleep Gut health gut healthy health healthy Healthy Alcoholic Drinks Healthy Cocktails Healthy Dessert Healthy Drinks healthy eating healthy eggnog healthy gut healthy living Healthy Restaurants healthy sleep Healthy Snack healthy snacks healthy tips heart wall Holiday detox holiday eating holiday recipes homemade how many hours should you sleep how to set resolutions hygge hypothyroid hypothyroidism Inflammation interview Is coffee bad jump rope workout Kombucha lemon detox water lemon water liver cleanse low glycemic snacks Low Sugar Cocktails low-sugar marathon meal prep meal tips meditate at work Meditation Mental Health microbiome mocktails money monotasking mushrooms mycotoxins myths and facts cleansing new years resolutions nourishment Nutrition passionate work Peanut Butter Cup Ph levels Physiology Positivity productivity professional inspiration protein bars PTO q+a quitting sugar raw dessert Reading Reading List recipe Running scones Self Care self-care shopping on budget sickness prevention skincare sleep sleeping tips snack Specific Carbohydrate Diet spring cleanse spring cleanse series stevia strawberryscones stress stress management Success sugar sugar-free Travel travel snacks Travel Well travel workout turmeric turmeric latte unity valentine's day vegan vegan eggnog vibrations Wellness Wellness Bloggers Wellness Books wellness hacks wellness travel wellness trends Williamsburg work wellness Workout Workout Tips Workouts workplace health workplace wellness Yoga Yoga Poses zero food waste zucchini latkes zucchini pancakes zucchini recipe

Recent Posts