TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THE SPECIFIC CARBOHYDRATE DIET (SCD)

By Natalie Hill

1. Quit illegal foods cold turkey. I promise you it is so much easier to just cut everything out at once than trying to phase things out.
2. Try to follow the SCD as a family. Especially at first, it is really not fun to watch your mom or brother eat ice cream while you have frozen fruit
3. Don't stress yourself out too much. Yes, the list of legal and illegal foods is daunting, but I promise you'll get the hang of it in a month or so.
4. Start by focusing on healthy foods. Initially, it will be difficult to know what products will be safe for you. Try to buy more produce and fresh meats and cook meals at home.
5. Two words: Bone Broth. This stuff is incredible. When I am not feeling well, I have some bone broth and it helps me feel much better.
6. Learn what your triggers are. My biggest trigger is gluten. However, I can tolerate other foods like refined sugar without any issues. Each person will respond to different foods, so it is important to figure out what does and does not work for you.
7. Try to incorporate anti-inflammatory foods such as turmeric, ginger, oily fish (salmon and tuna), and berries.

Natalie Hill grew up in Atlanta and is now a senior dietetics student at Auburn University. She was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 2013 and has managed it through both medication and the SCD diet. Natalie plans to work in pediatric dietetics after her postgraduate internship.