Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) "slow and steady" support thread - Page 5

[PeachBaby]

Hi! I am so glad to have found this thread! So excited to find it that I haven't even read all the posts yet, but will go back to do so asap. But I wanted to know if anyone knows whether this SCD is safe (for mama to do for herself) for the sake of her ebf baby. DS is 7 months old. He reacts to foods that *I* eat, so I know that I need to do some serious gut healing. So I am wanting to go on the SCD myself while allowing ds to ebf. I really want to bf and not give formula if at all possible. However, the support groups I see seem to be for adults or for children that are already eating solids. Does anyone know if *mama* can do this to heal her gut for the sake of her ebf lo? I know they say it is safe for pregnant women, but I haven't found whether it is okay for nursing mamas. Thanks so much!

[momofmine]

IMO, absolutely yes. And I am pretty sure the book says it's fine too. Just be sure you are getting enough calories. I would also want to be supporting my detox pathways with things like Vit C. I think this is the easiest time to do it actually, because you don't have to wean the child from the foods he was introduced to like rice and wheat. Then when you introduce foods to baby it can be wholesome, fresh, wonderful SCD foods, like banana, butternut squash, pureed meats, etc, as his first baby foods.

[mellowjello]

Hi, this is a great thread, thanks for starting it! We definitely need to do things slow and steady.

I am researching SCD and GAPS for myself and DD (22 mos). We definitely have gut/overgrowth issues. We've been on limited diet for awhile, mostly meats (chicken, beef, bison, lamb, pork), GF grains (quinoa, wild rice, and millet - ALL SOAKED), leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, red cabbage, red pepper, carrot, egg yolk (whole egg for me), avocado, flax oil, sunbutter, and plain goat milk yogurt.

We are super hypoglycemic so I have to watch that as well as lactose intolerant and fructose/fructan sensitive and must avoid all fruits and high fructose/fructan veggies (even many with equal glucose/fructose ratios, like bananas). We do well on our diet until something goes wrong, like binging (me) or me messing up on her probiotic (I missed a dose and doubled up one day AM and PM -- OMG I will never do that again). That has set off her GI tract and she is not tolerating grains or veggies very well right now (lots of loose, fermented poo --sorry-- and burping).

We've been taking a probiotic called VSL#3 and it seems that this has been a big help, until the gut flora get totally wacked, and then I stop and restart slowly. It is a very slow process to rebuild, so I'm kicking myself for that stupid mistake. Also, I introduced goat yogurt to her just before that double probiotic dose, so I don't know if that is part of the problem too, so have stopped giving it to her.

I guess I am feeling unsure... what will we eat??? Sunbutter is her sole comfort. That will be traumatic to pull. Also, we must have carbs for blood sugar reasons, afraid we won't have enough. I am afraid to re-introduce goat yogurt in case that sets her GI off further. So the only things in her diet that would be allowed on the intro are meat and egg yolk. (Have been avoiding egg whites b/c she reacted before.) Could we modify? Anyone have experience with this?

About gelatin, what brand do you use? Looking for something pure/organic-ish.

FWIW, B12 seems to help us a ton even though our blood levels are fine (???) and also digestive enzymes. I take Metazyme (by NutraNomics) and she takes Digest (by Enzymedica) b/c I can't get her to take mine (takes horrible out of the capsule).

I feel deflated. We were getting better and now she is in that place where she's becoming more and more sensitive. So I'm looking back to our old ways, remembering how I used to make bone broths (not exactly feeling inspired to do this in the heat of the summer!) hmmmmmm

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Subbing.

[jewellz]

Is anyone still doing this? I'm on day 5, been interesting. Just wanted to see if there was anyone still doing this.

[happy2bamama]

Originally Posted by jewellz

Is anyone still doing this? I'm on day 5, been interesting. Just wanted to see if there was anyone still doing this.

Hi Jewellz! I just started as well and found this thread from way back. It's so nice to hear from someone else who is possibly eating more bananas and honey than they thought possible!! How is it going for you? And what was your reason for starting it? Maybe we can even start a new thread for new mamas doing the SCD.

I am actually doing a slightly more flexible version of SCD. I was all set to do it and even buy the yogurt maker (although I have to admit, that felt SO insanely daunting), but I talked on the phone to another MDC member who had done the SCD for her and her daughter a while back and her thoughts were, you don't have to be so insanely strict that you end up not being able to do it. She said that in hindsight, she wished she would've made it a little easier on herself. So for example, I am buying store bought yogurt, but I just made sure that I got the one that is least processed (only has milk in it) and has the least amount of sugar. So that in itself is a huge help. The other thing that I'm doing is not doing that intro period, I am just sort of jumping right in aside from beans. I am going to wait about a month until I do beans. And even then, I think I may do canned beans if I have to.

My thoughts on this (and the veteran MDCers are too) are that there is no reason to be completely, 100% extreme about this. The point is, no sugars, starches/carbs. That is going to be a big shift for my body regardless of if the slight sugar from store bought yogurt gets in there. And I have only been on it three days and I already feel a lot better. It is amazing. I'm so interested to see how it's going for you too.

And the other piece of this is that for me, I have had a mild case of IBS (although that term is such BS), gluten intolerance, disbiosis (bad bacteria overpower the good in my gut) and low digestive enzyme output, but it has not been severe, so perhaps if I had more severe symptoms, I would follow the diet to a T. But even still, if my symptoms were that severe, taking out MOST of the sugar, starches and carbs would totally help. So who knows. When talking to the other MDCer (who is also a homeopath and works in the natural health field), she was also saying that she thought I could probably have things healed in 6 months, which is a lot more palatable than 2 years!! I am just telling myself that I will do this for 3 months, reassess and then go for 3 more if it's really helping. I don't know about you, but at this point, I am willing to do ANYTHING and give up ANY food to feel better long term.

I'd love to hear what kinds of things you're eating! One of my favorite things so far has been slices of cucumber with mustard, parmesan cheese slices, avocado and turkey slices - like little sandwiches. SO good! Oh and of course steak marinaded with the vinegrette in the SCD book. I made the peanut butter cookies, and they were actually really good, but the next morning I felt a little funny, so I'm not sure if it was that, but I am going to hold off for a while. I'm eating salmon, steak or chicken for just about every dinner. I have been malnourished due to my digestive issues and am underweight, so I am looking for a way to add some pounds and some B vitamins. In the mornings, I have a smoothie/milkshake that is surprisingly good - I blend that 100% whole milk European style yogurt with almond milk, apple cider, Knudson's strawberry juice and some coconut oil. I don't know about you, but being that it's Halloween makes it a bit tougher since all this candy is going around. Sometimes I seriously tip my head back and squirt honey in my mouth when I feel like I need a little "treat"! That or have a banana.

Can't wait to hear how it's going for you

[momofmine]

We are on SCD here too! I think that the yogurt is really easy once you have made it a couple of times. It's one of those things that seems really daunting and overwhelming until you just do it and then you realize you can really do it! At least that was my experience. The reason for fermenting the yogurt for 24 hours is to eat up all the lactose.

[jewellz]

happy2beamama

I've read your message and will get back to you as soon as I have a rare moment to sit and reply because my youngest, Kylee screams her head off all day because of a dumb mistake I made in not checking my thyroid pill when I had to change to a generic and it contained gluten. Now I'm dealing with a colicky baby ALL DAY. Only happy if I'm holding her or sometimes after I get gripe water in her. But just letting you know I am not ignoring or forgetting to write back to you.

[jewellz]

Originally Posted by happy2bamama

Hi Jewellz! I just started as well and found this thread from way back. It's so nice to hear from someone else who is possibly eating more bananas and honey than they thought possible!! How is it going for you? And what was your reason for starting it? Maybe we can even start a new thread for new mamas doing the SCD.

So far it's going good, on day 7. I actually went to stage 1 (the pecanbread stages) instead of doing the intro because my bananas weren't ripe yet and forgot to take the chicken out to thaw so started eating cooked apples pieces. Now back at intro, though I'm kinda messing it up. I started because of a leaky gut. We have food allergies, mainly gluten but my 3yr old dd was reacting to dairy in my breastmilk-got over it at 9months, then my 22m old started to react to dairy in my breastmilk at birth and eggs at 7m-dairy reactions are going down but still reacts to eggs pretty bad and my 5m old I took out dairy and eggs out of my diet before she was born as I wanted to have a calm happy baby that wasn't reacting to anything in my breastmilk but then I forgot to check my new thyroid meds and they contained gluten and now she reacting to that. So the next babies, if they are any, I would like to of healed my insides so that I can have calm happy babies again and enjoy the newborn stage instead of dreading it.

Originally Posted by happy2bamama

I am actually doing a slightly more flexible version of SCD. I was all set to do it and even buy the yogurt maker (although I have to admit, that felt SO insanely daunting), but I talked on the phone to another MDC member who had done the SCD for her and her daughter a while back and her thoughts were, you don't have to be so insanely strict that you end up not being able to do it. She said that in hindsight, she wished she would've made it a little easier on herself. So for example, I am buying store bought yogurt, but I just made sure that I got the one that is least processed (only has milk in it) and has the least amount of sugar. So that in itself is a huge help. The other thing that I'm doing is not doing that intro period, I am just sort of jumping right in aside from beans. I am going to wait about a month until I do beans. And even then, I think I may do canned beans if I have to.

I'm going to stick to the stages but prob do it a little bit faster as I don't think that my symptoms are as severe as most people are on this diet have. I really don't want restart this diet because I need to get pretty advanced in this diet before I end up pregnant again. We can't have dairy so the yogurt was no problem to avoid but I am hoping to eventually try it out.

Originally Posted by happy2bamama

And the other piece of this is that for me, I have had a mild case of IBS (although that term is such BS), gluten intolerance, disbiosis (bad bacteria overpower the good in my gut) and low digestive enzyme output, but it has not been severe, so perhaps if I had more severe symptoms, I would follow the diet to a T. But even still, if my symptoms were that severe, taking out MOST of the sugar, starches and carbs would totally help. So who knows. When talking to the other MDCer (who is also a homeopath and works in the natural health field), she was also saying that she thought I could probably have things healed in 6 months, which is a lot more palatable than 2 years!! I am just telling myself that I will do this for 3 months, reassess and then go for 3 more if it's really helping. I don't know about you, but at this point, I am willing to do ANYTHING and give up ANY food to feel better long term.

I agree that the term IBS is bs. On one of the support groups I'm on, a lady instead of starting the diet 100% at the intro, she started taking out the bad stuff one type at a time until she got to the intro, then added stuff back in, so that is an option. I'm hoping that it takes only 6 or so months.

Originally Posted by happy2bamama

I'd love to hear what kinds of things you're eating! One of my favorite things so far has been slices of cucumber with mustard, parmesan cheese slices, avocado and turkey slices - like little sandwiches. SO good! Oh and of course steak marinaded with the vinegrette in the SCD book. I made the peanut butter cookies, and they were actually really good, but the next morning I felt a little funny, so I'm not sure if it was that, but I am going to hold off for a while. I'm eating salmon, steak or chicken for just about every dinner. I have been malnourished due to my digestive issues and am underweight, so I am looking for a way to add some pounds and some B vitamins. In the mornings, I have a smoothie/milkshake that is surprisingly good - I blend that 100% whole milk European style yogurt with almond milk, apple cider, Knudson's strawberry juice and some coconut oil. I don't know about you, but being that it's Halloween makes it a bit tougher since all this candy is going around. Sometimes I seriously tip my head back and squirt honey in my mouth when I feel like I need a little "treat"! That or have a banana.

Can't wait to hear how it's going for you

I love the foods you are eating. They sound so good. But since I'm being restrictive, mine are not appetizing. Yesterday I bought a whole salmon at Whole Foods and had them fillet it and broiled a little bit for lunch today. Had pot roast for dinner to night. I have been having applesauce with honey and cinnamon for my sugar withdrawal. Had some bananas and avocados. Jello. Chicken, ground beef, meatballs, hamburger. Most blah. And lots of water or watered down grape juice to keep up breastmilk production. Yup, I have done that with the honey just go and take a spoonful of honey and suck on it. Yum!!

But now I don't know what to do. Accidentally ingested gluten (last time was a month ago) and been reacting to it along with dd3 so I don't know if it's the foods I'm reacting to (apples and carrots are coming out in chunks but poos are getting better and a good brown color instead of yellowy-green diarrhea) or if it because of the gluten reaction still. I would like to stay on the diet. It is a MUST for me and my kiddos sake but how do I know if mine or my five month old's reactions are because of the gluten or the new offending food? So I have been debating with keeping on the diet right now or to postpone it. Just wanted some ideas from MDC mamas on the list.

[happy2bamama]

Jewellz - I only have a quick sec, but wanted to post this in case it helps you. I am on digestive enzymes that are AWESOME. They took all my diarrhea away immediately and they are formulated with special enzymes to help deal with hidden gluten or casein. I take two with every meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner), but not with snacks. At first, I just did one with every meal, for like three days, but then bumped it up when I felt comfortable. I would recommend this for you because when my naturopath told me about these, she specifically said, "You will notice there will be a lot less or no undigested food in your stools." Here is the exact kind I use...

http://www.professionalsupplementcen...milaseGFCF.htm

Personally, I am having a tough couple of days around here. I want to eat "normal" foods. This diet is okay when you can confine yourself to your kitchen and don't have to go anywhere, but god forbid you find yourself out in the world around lunch time. And I thought I'd never say this, but I am sick of meat! And I can't stand eggs, so that leaves me with like cheese and veggies. I am craving pancakes and things of that nature, but all the recipes have eggs in them and they end up tasting like scrambled egg pancakes. Made some yesterday to try and ended up gagging.

Sorry to be so negative. I love the idea of that lady who slowly took out the bad things. I might go back and try that. I keep feeling like, "Do I really need to be THIS restrictive??" On the up side, I have gained 1-2 pounds and have great energy. I know this diet is genius and scientifically it works, but it's just the day to day life of being on it that is really really hard. In order to save myself so that I can keep doing this diet (for the most part), I might integrate beans in sooner rather than later.

Have you (or anyone else) found a recipe for pancakes or bread that isn't eggy? Or a substitute for eggs? Possibly avocados?

More soon...

[jewellz]

I too only have a quick time to reply but yes I have been taking enzymes the last four days but I don't know if they are helping.

But just think if it can help it will be so worth it to be restrictive and I think that taking things out one type at a time then adding would be better.

See I love meat because I need the protein so I can't help you there either with eating out because we couldn't eat out anyway because of gluten issues.

Usually when substituting eggs in normal recipes, it can be replaces with applesauce for baked goods or avocados for like spreads.

Hope it's going better.

[happy2bamama]

Ooh, thanks for the tip about applesauce I think you will for sure notice a difference with the enzymes. It may take a week or so. I hope it does the trick!

Okay, so I hate to break the news, but I am an SCD drop out (but am loving it). The total restrictiveness of the diet was totally getting me down and I was so sick of the choices of food. I was starting to feel like, "If this is how I have to eat, I don't want to exist on this planet!" Personally, I started feeling like I was going to an unnecessary extreme for me. But it's funny, I am still eating 85% SCD but even knowing that I have a little wiggle room is wonderful. And when I say wiggle room, I don't mean eating a ton of crap, but I mean some corn tortilla chips, beans, quinoa, etc. I am being really slow with it and also, I am still really making an effort to limit my sugar and starch intake. For me, that was the big lesson with SCD - about starches and sugars. So rather than go back to gluten-free snacks and breads, if I need a little snack, I will pick up a banana or pear instead. But it also doesn't mean I can't ever have those snacks or breads if I wanted them. Seriously, there is something so mental about this in knowing that I CAN have something should I want it. I still have the smoothies in the morning (yogurt - unsweetened, almond milk, coconut oil, natural juice, fruit and honey) and am eating a fair amount of meat too. I was so excited to have my gluten-free pancakes again (with honey, of course!), but funny thing is that I really only feel like a banana and smoothie in the AM. Even in that short wee, SCD rubbed off on me! Only been off of it for about two days and I feel fine and digestion is okay.

The other thing I realized with SCD is that I didn't want to be so micromanaging about every little thing I eat. I know there are lots of people who HAVE to be, but for me, having to log what I'm eating and always be cooking and thinking about what is SCD-friendly was just too much and really had me thinking about my digestion way more than I wanted to. I am trying to go about my life with these foundations of eating in place and not obsess about what each little morsel of food is doing to me at every second. Basically, I'm trying to suck it up and see how that goes! And it went great today - there was a huge chunk of the day where I wasn't even thinking about my gut and what it was doing! Heaven!!

[jewellz]

I have actually postponed continuing the diet because of accidentally glutening myself. So now I won't know if reacting are coming from the offending food or the gluten. So I'll restart it later.