Specific Carbohydrate Diet

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a specialized nutritional protocol designed to support digestive health by removing complex carbohydrates that can be difficult to break down. This rigorous grain-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and sugar-free plan focuses on "legal" monosaccharides - simple sugars found in fruits and honey - while eliminating "illegal" disaccharides and polysaccharides like lactose, sucrose, and starches. This approach is often utilized to help manage chronic digestive challenges by aiming to starve harmful gut bacteria and reduce intestinal inflammation. This framework may be particularly supportive if your PlexusDx report indicates variations in inflammation-regulating genes such as IL23R, TNF, or IL6, which can influence how your body manages immune responses in the gut. Furthermore, because this restrictive plan can impact nutrient intake, aligning your food choices with your genetic needs - such as those linked to MTHFR (folate metabolism) or BCO1 (vitamin A conversion) - can help you maintain nutritional balance while following the protocol.

This program is built on a foundation of scientific considerations for gut healing and nutrient density. Since the diet excludes many standard fiber sources like grains, it carefully integrates high-fiber fruits, vegetables, and nuts to support digestive regularity and microbiome health without feeding pathogenic bacteria. To counteract potential nutrient gaps common in restrictive diets, the meal plan emphasizes foods rich in essential vitamins and minerals often depleted in digestive conditions. Key evidence-backed recommendations for this plan include:

Prioritize fiber-rich "legal" foods: Aim for approximately 39 grams of daily fiber through allowed fruits, vegetables, and nuts to support digestive health.
Boost immune function with trace minerals: Incorporate zinc-rich foods like chicken, beef, and almonds, along with selenium sources such as eggs to support anti-inflammatory pathways.
Support bone health: actively include calcium and phosphorus sources like aged cheeses, sardines, and almonds to protect bone density.
Focus on antioxidant intake: Consume Vitamin A and C-rich foods such as bell peppers, squash, and citrus fruits to help reduce oxidative stress in gut tissues.
Ensure adequate B vitamins: counteract potential deficiencies by including plenty of leafy greens, poultry, and beef to support energy metabolism.

This comprehensive meal plan is fully customizable to fit your specific tastes and the strict requirements of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. To tailor the menu to your preferences or remove specific allergens, click the button below to access your PlexusDx meal planning tool. You can easily adjust any meal using the "Swap" feature:

Locate the meal you wish to change on your daily planner.
Click the three dots (…) in the top right corner of the meal card.
Select “Swap recipe” from the dropdown menu.
Choose “Swap” to change just that single meal, or “Swap all” to replace it for the entire duration of the plan.
Keep clicking “Swap” to browse through alternative recipes until you find one that matches your specific restrictions (e.g., GF, DF, or egg-free).

PlexusDx provides educational information about genetic predispositions only. This content is not medical advice. Always discuss genetic findings, test results, symptoms, and treatment decisions with your healthcare provider or an allergist to determine appropriate care for your situation.

Meal Planning Tool ➜

Diets & Meal Plans