Scd Support Group

[Guest gfinnebraska]

Well, I went off of my SCD while traveling. BIG mistake. I wasn't really "sick" that much, but my body didn't "function" at all like it was suppose to!!! I was very bloated and ill feeling when I got home. After "cleaning out" for a few days, I felt much better. I am now back on the SCD for good... at least for my year. Sigh...

On the up side, vacation was great!! Beautiful sights all around. And I did enjoy eating ice cream and fudge. Plus Lays Stax!! Yummy!! Those were a real treat.

So, if tempted, stay on your diet!! You will be glad you did.

[PreOptMegs]

It is so tempting to cheat on the diet each and everyday, especially since I learned what candy is gluten free because the desserts for SCD are not helping me out. I mean, I have made a couple of things and they have tasted pretty bad. I mean no one else would put up with these horrible desserts if they weren't on the SCD.

[PreOptMegs]

On SCD, do you guys feel like you are eating the same foods over and over everyday. I also feel like it takes me so long to prepare meals and I refuse to eat anywhere except when I make it in my own kitchen. It is hard to have variation everyday because you have to feel out if your body is ready to try the new food you introduced.

[Guest gfinnebraska]

Yes, I do feel like it is the same, but, as I said on another thread somewhere... I don't mind eating the same thing over and over. I love fresh green beans, hamburger patties, steak, cheese, fruit, etc. It doesn't seem bad when you love what you are eating!! I do miss carbs, but that will have to wait. Right now I am making homemade cherry jam, and I would love to have some on a piece of gluten-free bread fresh from the bread machine... The jam will still be there 9 mos. from now!! I will enjoy it then.

Do you feel like your body is getting healthier?? If not, maybe this isn't for you. I know that I am healing and doing well. I can eat cheese... which I couldn't before the SCD. I have more energy, I am not as sore and achey.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[PreOptMegs]

I feel absolutely amazing from this diet. I have finally lost those stubborn pounds I put on over the months from my gluten attacks, but I have tons of energy and I am very happy. I will say I crave three things more than anything... I could probably eat my body weight in raisins, natural peanut butter, and CHEESE!! Those three things definately do not help a person lose weight, which sucks!!! I just feel like this diet requires so much prep work (i.e. yogurt making, deseeding/cooking...) but it has definately worked and ever since gettting a yogurt maker, I have definately increased what foods I can handle.

[Rikki Tikki]

Hi Gfinnebraska:

Is that a westie on your avatar? I am looking for a westie now that my kids have moved out on their own. That's the dog I have my heart set on. If it is let me know all about them.

Thanks

Sally

[shimma]

I just came back from vacation, and I managed not to cheat. Long road trips are so hard though - but my peanut butter muffins came in handy.

I had a great week health-wise while I was away. I'm not sure if it's the diet finally kicking in, or if it's because I went off the pill. I just started a probiotic too, so I guess that could be contributing. Plus, being on vacation and having absolutely no stress obviously helped.

My only concern right now is developing an allergy to peanuts. Do you think that could happen if I keep eating as many as I have now? I've heard you can develop an allergy to something you eat too often.

[Guest gfinnebraska]

Shimma: Peanut butter muffins??? Share the recipe!!! Where did you find it? Thanks!! They sound yummy!!!

I am not sure if eating nuts daily will cause you to be allergic to them. I eat things daily, and have had no ill side effects. There is probably a reason you are craving peanutbutter so much... so go with it until you can't stand the sight of it!! I always feel like you should eat what you are craving ~ there is a reason you are craving it.

Good for you not cheating on vacation. You are a better woman than I!! I enjoyed chips and slushies. But I also paid for it later!!! NOT fun...

[shimma]

For the peanut butter muffins, I modified a recipe from pecanbread.com (the one for cashew butter muffins). Here it is:

1 cup peanut butter

2 ripe bananas

2 eggs

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vinegar

Blend everything well and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Just be cautious using a blender because the peanut butter makes everything very thick! I mixed them by hand and they still turned out fine - just occasional banana chunks which I don't mind.

You can make them with applesauce too instead of bananas- use about a cup or so. I like the banana ones better though.

Let me know if you come up with any interesting variations!

[Guest gfinnebraska]

Thanks for the recipe!!! YUM! I know what I am making tonight...

[Heather22]

Hi Ladies,

I have been reading your messages, and would like your opinion. I am considering trying the SCD because I refuse to go on feeling the way I do. I am bloated ALL the time and feel like I am 6 months pregnant. I have good BMs, but the pain and cramping are getting too much for me.

Have you felt like this? I have been gluten-free and lactose free for 2 years now.....and I am sick of having no success with doctors.

I haven't read the book yet, but I was wondering if you think the diet provide sufficient energy......being an athlete in training, I know that the body needs carbs. I am a bit hesitant because I rely on rice for my calories and energy a lot of the time. However, I recently dieted for a bodybuilding/fitness competition, which involved cutting my carbs, and I felt a lot better.....no bloating or pain.

Any advice? Do you think that I am a candidate for this diet?

Thanks, Heather : )

[PreOptMegs]

Heather22--

I am going to be entering my junior year at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), where I play collegiate basketball. I understand your energy concern. I found out about my gluten intolerance thing near the end of the season last year. We had to continue to go through post season workouts, and I can't tell you how crappy I felt. I was fatigued, bloated, puffy everywhere and just all around felt like crap (ps I had good BM too). It took me a while to learn all of the rules about what is gluten-free and what is not, and finally after officially being gluten-free for about a month, I came across the SCD. I was not losing weight just eating gluten-free and I can't remember feeling 100% any day of the week. I have been on the SCD for a couple of months now and I tell you what, I feel better now than I can ever remember. I have tons, and tons of energy, I have lost lots of weight and I know everything I put into my mouth is nutritious and helpful to my body. Don't get me wrong, it is the hardest diet I have ever been on, but it is worth it. From one athlete to another, I highly recommend this diet. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. i know I had a ton of questions when first starting SCD. I was not very patient introducing new foods into the diet, but anyway....

[Heather22]

Thank you so much for your reply and for sharing your experience. I was also diagnosed after my second year of university (...is that Junior year in the US?). I guess it is the stress. Seeing as how stress makes symptoms that much worse, people always told me "just wait--after university, you will start feeling better". I am now done and I do not feel better.

I also didn't lose any weight after going gluten-free. However, I did gain some weight. As much as I would like to contribute it to hard work in the gym, I know it was unnecessary, and unwanted weight. I still feel like I am carrying a few extra pounds....perhaps it is because of my massive bloating. : )

Anyways, I am off to buy the book tonight. I might have to take you up on your offer, as I like to ask questions and consult, just to make sure I am doing things right.

Heather : )

[shimma]

I don't think it can hurt to try. Energy hasn't been a problem for me. I nibble constantly though, so that probably helps!

[Guest gfinnebraska]

Heather ~ welcome! Yes, as the others have stated, the diet may be what you are looking for. I started the diet around the 20th of March. I have lost over 30 lbs., my stomach is all but gone, and I feel GREAT!! It is hard and I have had a few "lapses" back to carb eating, but I just start over and keep going.

Read the book really well, and if you have any questions, we are here for you!!

I am going to stick with this diet for the recommended year, and we'll see what I feel like then. But, like the other gals have said, it is amazing how much better you feel after just the first month or two.

PreOptMegs: My son is a junior at Creighton Univ. in Omaha ~ pre med major.

Sometimes I forget the range of ages here on the board.

[jenvan]

Kimberly-

So it really takes a month or two to notice a difference? I'm still debating about trying the diet. I have read the book, and still feel like I'm waiting to feel better on the gluten-free diet alone. I may wait till the beginning of next month when I go in for another celiac disease blood test. If the #s are down, then I think I would try the diet. If they're still up, it means something else is going on...

[PreOptMegs]

gfinnebraska-- Creighton is a great school. I wish him the best. I am currently studying for my Optometry Admissions Test, which I am incredibly excited/scared about. I mean, I have wanted to be an Optometrist since the 5th grade.....

Anyway, so I have a question. I think in BTVC it says you should be on the diet 6months to a year? I don't know how long to stay on the diet. I mean, I would love to last the whole year, but I don't know. As I mentioned, I am a basketball player for UMSL and our road trips consist of constant eating at buffets and fast food. I just don't know how convenient it is going to be carrying aroud my homemade yogurt around with me!! Baked potatoes are one thing that is almost a staple for gluten-free eating, which would be readily available as well. I mean it is already going to be a lot of trouble for me to eat gluten-free (Especially when we go to fazoli's!!) so I don't want to complicate the issue with.... oh by the way coach, not only must I avoid gluten, but I must avoid all disaccharides and processed foods!!!

[Guest gfinnebraska]

Jenn - I started feeling better around the first month. The first couple of weeks I had D... then started feeling great. My energy level has gone up, my weight has gone down ~ what more could you ask for??!! Let me know if you are going to give it a try. Good luck at the Dr.!

PreOptMegs - Good luck on your tests, etc. Wow ~ that is great to be working towards a life long dream. Adam has always wanted to be in the field of medicine somewhere. He is working towards being an anesthesiologist. He will be taking his MCATS this spring. Yikes!!

As for the how long to stay on the SCD... I think that is totally up to you! IF you decide to stop, I would taper off slowly. Then, if you start feeling icky again, just go back on it for a while and "clean out" again. I ate a few "no-nos" on vacation, and had to clean out and start over. I have to admit that it was too soon for me to go off of it. I started feeling sick to my stomach and icky all over again. If you can stay away from carbs, sugars, etc. as much as possible while traveling, it would only be a plus. I would play it by ear and see what happens... then just do what you have to do!!

[debmidge]

what does "SCD" mean?

[Guest gfinnebraska]

Specific Carbohydrate Diet

[PreOptMegs]

you can find more about the SCD on www.breakingtheviciouscycle.com

[Heather22]

What is an average day of food for someone on the SCD? ...I am having trouble thinking of ideas since my normal breakfast meals are illegal. I'm not keen on eating a lot of baked goods (muffins, etc.) early in the morning. What do some of you eat?

[shimma]

Are you able to find Farmer's cheese in your store? This is my breakfast staple. I mix some Farmer's cheese with honey and then mix in whatever fruit I have on hand. I've had this every morning since I started the diet 3 months ago and I'm still not tired of it!

If you're a peanut butter fan, top some fruit (bananas or apples are my fav) with peanut butter - very filling. You could try another nut butter too if you don't like peanuts.

Sometimes I have eggs, or make "pancakes" out of fruit, nut butter, and eggs.

[shimma]

This is unrelated to the above- but I seem to be having some kind of relapse. I haven't added anything new to the diet, but my bowels seem to be out of sorts again. Frustrating because I had about two weeks of feeling really good - and then a bad week again! Maybe it's due to the stress of starting a new job and totally unrelated to food.

Has anyone else experienced a relapse?

[Heather22]

Thanks for your suggestions. THis morning I had some DCCC, yogurt and a banana, and it was the best morning (gas-wise) yet.

I am just starting out, so I can't comment on your relapse. However, I know that stress affects me big time---congratulations on the new job. Hopefully things will settle down.

Are you finding that the diet is working though? Are most of your symptoms gone?

H : )