The SCD Diet & Yogurt

The SCD, or Specific Carbohydrate Diet, is a diet designed to treat digestive disorders like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, many patients report success with the SCD, although no comprehensive research has demonstrated the diet's effectiveness. Homemade yogurt is an important component of the SCD.

Basics of SCD

According to the Breaking the Vicious Cycle website, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet is based on the idea that digestive diseases like Crohn's, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome are caused by an imbalance of bacterial microorganisms in the gut. The human gut contains a huge population of microorganisms; some are beneficial while others can be harmful if allowed to become too numerous. In a healthy person, the beneficial bacteria are prevalent enough that they keep any harmful microorganisms in check. If this bacterial balance is disrupted, however, the harmful bacteria may take over, leading to digestive symptoms, malabsorption and the production of toxins. The SCD aims to halt the growth of harmful bacteria by eliminating the consumption of disaccharides and starches, the main food source for harmful bacteria. Consequently, the SCD prohibits grains, starchy vegetables, lactose, most sugars and some legumes.

Importance of Yogurt

While starving out the harmful bacteria, the SCD simultaneously aims to boost the population of beneficial bacteria through the consumption of yogurt. As the Breaking the Vicious Cycle website explains, yogurt is full of the type of probiotics that the gut needs to heal. Yogurt is also an excellent source of nourishment as it contains valuable protein, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. The yogurt must, however, be homemade. Store-bought yogurts have only been fermented for a short period of time and thus still contain lactose. Homemade SCD yogurt is fermented for at least 24 hours so that lactose is no longer present.

Yogurt Starter

To make homemade yogurt, you need a yogurt starter or a small amount of commercial yogurt. Picking the right starter is important in ensuring the probiotic benefits of your yogurt. Breaking the Vicious Cycle advises that you find a starter or yogurt that contains the bacteria lactobacillus bulgaricus, streptococcus thermophilus and, optionally, lactobacillus acidophilus. Avoid all strains of bifidus.

Introduction of Yogurt

According to the Breaking the Vicious Cycle website, yogurt should be introduced into your diet very slowly. Start with a teaspoon a day and gradually increase the amount if you do not experience any negative reactions. If at any time you experience a reaction, discontinue eating the yogurt or drop back to a tolerable level. A reaction may mean that your gut has not healed enough to tolerate the yogurt; try it again in a month or two. If you think your reaction is due to a dairy sensitivity, you can also try making yogurt from goat's milk, which may be better tolerated by people with sensitivities to cow's milk.

Uses

There are many ways to incorporate homemade yogurt into an SCD-friendly diet. Yogurt can be eaten on its own, with a bit of added honey or fruit, or added to a fruit or vegetable smoothie. You can drain your yogurt to produce thicker yogurt to be used as a soft cheese or as a dip. Yogurt can also be used in baked goods or other desserts, although cooking will destroy the yogurt's probiotics.