Quick Question For Those On Scd:

[lorka150]

Hi there,

I am seriously thinking about doing this, especially since reading all the recent threads. My one main question is how immediate did you guys see results? In that, I mean 'symptoms' going away. For example, rememeber when you first went gluten-free and felt great after about 2 weeks (then a nice solid stand-still for months?)...

The reason I ask, is because I literally have a coffee addiction. I love coffee. I drink so much coffee. It would be really hard to give up. And yes, I realize this is my health and that I should sacrifice and what not.

Anyway, I am thinking that if I did this diet for a little bit and was seeing results, it would clearly give me the incentive to go hardcore for the year. Because I could do without coffee to test it out.

I know this sounds silly.

But I am really just wondering.

I feel like a fool so please don't berate me.

[kbtoyssni]

I'm a little confused. Most coffees are gluten free so you'd still be able to drink it on the diet.

If you're asking about how quickly you will start to feel better after cutting out gluten, it really depends on the person. I felt great for the first two weeks, then started to feel yucky again, then slowly started to improve. It's supposed to take your intestines up to six months to heal. I'm at six months right now and feel pretty good, but at first I was accidently glutening myself quite frequently so that would probably put my progress back some.

[Rachel--24]

I'm a little confused. Most coffees are gluten free so you'd still be able to drink it on the diet.

She was asking about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet...which is basically for people who are still having food intolerances and other problems after going gluten-free.

I've only been on the diet 1 week today but I have noticed improvement. I have more energy and my mood and spirits are much better but thats about it so far. I'm definately sticking to the diet as I think it will help but I'm expecting slow improvements rather than drastic changes like what I got from going gluten-free. I was much more ill at that time so eliminating gluten and all processed foods and sugar made a huge immediate difference.

[kimjoy24]

Before I discovered my gluten intolerance, I went on the SCD and noticed that the majority of my digestive issues disappeared in just a week. And I tend to be a pessimist about such things, so I'm not exaggerating about my personal success with the diet. I had tried so many other diets for IBS and other ailments and none of them had the profound and speedy results that the SCD had. It is very, very difficult to maintain over long periods of time. It did make going gluten-free a lot easier for me though, because the gluten-free diet offers so much more variety than the SCD! I don't think there's any magic with the diet, it just makes sense that eating pure, natural foods with as little processing and additives as possible will be easier for your gut to digest.

[lorka150]

Thanks for your replies. Right now, all I can really tolerate are about ten foods, literally. I am fine with eating a small palette of foods and having patience with this, so I am not doubtful at my ability to do it. I am going to try and get the book out of the library to fully understand it.

[Nancym]

It took me about 2 weeks, probably because I skipped the intro and introduced my challenging foods right away. I also didn't quite the coffee because I have a major habit. I'm weaning myself onto decaf and intend to quit... soonish... probably. But my intestines seem to be ok with the coffee. I've been on it for about 2 months now and very gradually trying foods. It appears that chocolate and almonds are giving me trouble.

[lorka150]

i thought decaf stuff wasn't allowed?

[dlp252]

Lorka, you're right, in the book she says no coffee not even decaf. Fortunately for me I haven't been drinking coffee since I found out I was casein intolerant...can't have coffee without my half-n-half, lol...there's just no point.

Interestingly I talked to a friend who I haven't talke to in a long time and as we were catching up I was explaining my current situation with Gluten-free Casein-free and how I was going to try this diet because I was still having intestinal issues. She says "Is that the one where you make your own yogurt?". Turns out her sister-in-law went on it and apparently it really, really helped her. I've just started it today, so I'll be able to report back soon I hope!

[lorka150]

Lorka, you're right, in the book she says no coffee not even decaf. Fortunately for me I haven't been drinking coffee since I found out I was casein intolerant...can't have coffee without my half-n-half, lol...there's just no point.

my mom swears by Silk Creamer to replace her cream in her coffee (she is also casein free with me). I know soy isn't an option because of the scd, but just wanted to let you know... For later.

[Nancym]

I could swear in the book it says weak coffee is ok. It does say that on her web site: Open Original Shared Link

[corinne]

I've been on the SCD for 6 weeks and have had no D for 4. The improvement in D was rapid; the improvement in gas and cramping have been slow and steady.

Caffeine is a stimulant and will make your gut more active hence increase D, cramping etc. So if you can, it would be a good idea to cut out coffee, chocolate etc. for a while until things heal up.

[dlp252]

I could swear in the book it says weak coffee is ok. It does say that on her web site: Open Original Shared Link

Wow, maybe it was specific to decaf and instant because of the processes involved. Wow...course I still can't drink it without my half-n-half (or even Silk), lol.

[danikali]

I thought chocolate was illegal and should be eliminated all together for the whole year...even cocoa powder.

[Rachel--24]

Chocolate is illegal

[dlp252]

I could swear in the book it says weak coffee is ok. It does say that on her web site: Open Original Shared Link

Yep, you're right. I re-read chapters 9 and 10 last night and sure enough weak coffee is okay. It was specifically decaf stuff and intant coffee she says isn't good because of the processing. I think I've been illegal yesterday especially...I had two cups of decaf tea. Grrr.