Legal/Illegal List

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T V W X Y Z

The following is a list of foods that are allowed (legal) and foods that are not allowed (illegal) while following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet™ (SCD™), as outlined in the book Breaking the Vicious Cycle™. (Download the Legal/Illegal list as a PDF file.)

Click on the food items below for more information.

A (27 items found)

Acorn Squash	Legal
Agar-agar	Illegal	Contains polysaccharides. See wikipedia:agar-agar
Agave syrup	Illegal
Algae	Illegal	We do not use algae (Spirulina) because IBD involves the immune system and algae can aggravate an already disturbed immune system.
Allspice	Legal	As long as you're just using Allspice as a cooking spice, it's legal. Don't use the oil, see Allspice
Almond butter	Legal	Almond butter with no sugar added is allowed.
Almond milk	Legal	May be tried after being on the diet for 6 months.
Almond oil	Legal
Almonds	Legal	Nuts sold in mixtures are not allowed, as most are roasted with a starch coating. Nuts should only be used as nut flour, in recipes, until diarrhea has subsided.
Aloe Vera	Illegal	It contains mucilaginous polysaccharides as well as increasing the release of tumor necrosis factor which is associated with IBD inflammation and increased immune stimulation.
Amaranth flour	Illegal	Amaranth is a grain substitute, contains starches and so is not allowed.
Anchovies	Legal
Apple Cider	Legal	It is brown and not clear as apple juice is. It should be just straight pressed apples. It is usually pasteurized in order to kill bacteria. Cider should be diluted with water before drinking.
Apple Juice	Illegal	Apple juice usually has sugar added during processing. Apple cider is allowed. It should be brown and not clear as apple juice is. Cider should be diluted with water before drinking.
Apples	Legal
Apricots	Legal
Arrowroot	Illegal	It is a mucilaginous herb. Mucilaginous herbs are loaded with starch. This starch is food for the pathogens that the SCD™ is designed to starve out.
Artichokes (French)	Legal	They are the green artichokes that you steam, then dip the leaves in lemon butter and scrape off with your teeth. They have edible hearts and an inedible choke.
Artichokes (Jerusalem)	Illegal	They are actually a tuber, and are not legal.
Ascorbic acid	Legal	Should be nothing but Vitamin C.
Asiago cheese	Legal	May be used occasionally.
Asparagus	Legal	Fresh or frozen is allowed. Canned vegetables are not allowed.
Aspartame	Legal	When symptom free, one aspartame sweetened soft drink per week is allowed - Elaine. But see Aspartame in Knowledge Base.
Aspartic acid	Legal
Astragalus	Illegal	contains polysaccharides
Avocado oil	Legal	Good for mayonaise and salad dressings but might not withstand heat very well
Avocadoes	Legal

My 12 year old son was diagnosed with IBD a year ago and we bought the book and started the diet right away. He got immediate relief from his symptoms and although he has had a couple flares, I'm sure if not for this diet, he would be so much worse! The book is easy to follow, contains recipes, and is a wealth of information. The diet is one we should ALL follow, as it eliminates all processed/junk food and focuses on good healthy food. Elaine is a scientist who saw this diet save her daughter and wants to share it with as many others as possible. I strongly recommend it to everyone I know!!

- Lynne J.
Amazon customer

Information published on this Web site is intended to support the book Breaking The Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall and is for information purposes only. It is not the intention of this site to diagnose, prescribe, or replace medical care. Your doctor or nutrition expert should be consulted before undertaking a change of diet.

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