What to avoid on the SCD diet compared to the Paleo and AIP diets?
Like the Paleo and Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet has a list of foods to avoid. As a loose comparison the Paleo and SCD diets are fairly similar with the foods that are allowed on the diet. The strictest of the three diets would be the AIP diet. We want to help inform people on the different types of diets so they can make the best decision for the needs of their body.
Food to Avoid #1 (Cereal Grains): Like the Paleo and AIP diet the SCD diet doesn’t allow cereal grains like barley, buckwheat, bulgur, corn, millet, oats, quinoa, rice, rye, spelt, triticale, wheat. This is probably one of the hardest groups to give up because the majority of us have been conditioned to have some kind of grain for every meal. This group alone will also eliminate a large percentage of our favorite restaurants.
Food to Avoid #2 (Processed Meats): Also, like the Paleo and AIP Diet the SCD diet eliminate all processed meats. It specifically lists lunch meats, ham, hot dogs (including brats and turkey dogs), and other processed sausages. Grass-fed or wild caught meats are recommended.
Food to Avoid #3 (Canned Vegetables & Fruits): The Paleo and SCD diet are pretty much on the same page when it comes to fruits and vegetables. The AIP diet makes some additional exceptions like nightshade vegetables, berries, and no more than 20 grams of fructose per day. Any canned vegetables or fruit in general is excluded because typically they include preservatives, sweeteners, processing aids, and they are usually bathed in sugar.
Food to Avoid #4 (Legumes): The AIP diet doesn’t allow any legumes but the Paleo and SCD diet allow for some. However, these legume are to be avoided: bean sprouts, chick peas, fava beans, garbanzo beans, mung beans, and soybeans.
Food to Avoid #5 (Dairy): Some dairy in both the SCD and Paleo diet are allowed but it is more restricted in the AIP diet. Overall dairy is a case by case situation but the SCD diet calls to eliminate the following: milk of any kind, unnatural cheeses (ie: Kraft or shredded cheese), all of these cheeses: cottage, cream, feta, gejetost, mozzarella, Neufchatel, primost, ricotta, and processed cheese spreads.
Food to Avoid #6 (Starches): All three diets are on board with the SCD diet on this one. The following starches are to be avoided: potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, arrowroot, parsnips, cornstarch, and tapioca starch.
Food to Avoid #7 (Spices): Most spices aren’t allowed on the AIP diet but the paleo and SCD do allow some. However, curry, onion, and garlic powder are to be avoided because they are normally filled with anti-caking agents.
The Autoimmune Health & Nutrition’s Paleo Perfection Protein is acceptable on all three diets and is a good place to start! Whichever diet you decide you’d be pleasantly surprised on what we can offer!
