6 Foods That Might Be Sabotaging Your SCD Progress—The Last Two Will Surprise You!

🎙️ This post is inspired by the latest episode of my podcast, Digestible Dialogues, where I uncover six SCD-legal foods that could be slowing your gut healing. Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube.

Are These SCD-Legal Foods Holding You Back?

If you’re following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) to improve your gut health, you’re probably careful about what you eat. But what if some of the very foods you rely on are actually hindering your progress?

While the SCD diet is designed to reduce inflammation and promote healing, certain SCD-legal foods may still trigger digestive issues, gut irritation, or bacterial imbalances—especially if you’re in the early stages of healing or have persistent symptoms.

In this post, we’ll explore six surprising foods that might be sabotaging your SCD journey. The last two may shock you!

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1️⃣ A Morning Staple That Can Aggravate Your Gut ☕

If you start your day with a cup of coffee, you may want to rethink that habit.

✅ Why it’s a problem:

• Coffee is acidic and can irritate the gut lining, especially if you have an inflamed digestive system.
• Even decaf coffee contains gut-stimulating compounds that may trigger IBS symptoms or bloating.

💡 Try this instead: Switch to herbal teas like peppermint or ginger, which are soothing and support digestion.

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2️⃣ A Social Favorite That Interferes with Healing 🍷

Even SCD-legal alcohol—like dry wine—can be a major gut disruptor.

✅ Why it’s a problem:

• Alcohol acts as a toxin and can disrupt gut bacteria balance.
• It increases gut inflammation, slowing your digestive healing process.

💡 Try this instead: Swap alcohol for sparkling water with fresh lime or an herbal mocktail to keep your gut happy.

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3️⃣ A Dense and Hard-to-Digest Ingredient 🥜

Almond flour and nuts are SCD-approved, but they can be too harsh for digestion, especially in the early healing stages.

✅ Why it’s a problem:

• Nuts are high in fiber and fat, making them difficult to digest when your gut is inflamed.
• Almond flour is highly concentrated—a small portion may equal a large handful of almonds!

💡 Try this instead: If your gut is still healing, limit nut-based foods and focus on well-cooked vegetables and easy-to-digest proteins.

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4️⃣ A Natural Sweetener That Feeds the Wrong Bacteria 🍯

Dates and honey are SCD-approved alternatives to sugar, but they may still worsen gut issues.

✅ Why it’s a problem:

• Natural sugars can feed harmful bacteria, especially if you have SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth).
• Excess sugar—whether from honey or dates—can contribute to gut dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria).

💡 Try this instead: Reduce high-sugar foods and opt for low-glycemic fruits like blueberries or peeled apples in moderation.

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5️⃣ The Surprising Fruit That Can Slow Progress 🍌

Bananas are often recommended on SCD, but overripe bananas may be causing gut imbalances.

✅ Why it’s a problem:

• Overripe bananas contain high sugar levels, which can fuel gut bacteria imbalances.
• If you have SIBO or ongoing inflammation, bananas could exacerbate symptoms.

💡 Try this instead: Stick to one banana per day and pair it with a protein or healthy fat to balance blood sugar.

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6️⃣ The Most Shocking Culprit—Your SCD Yogurt 🥄

SCD yogurt is often considered a gut-healing powerhouse, but for some, it may actually worsen symptoms.

✅ Why it’s a problem:

• If you have SIBO, IBS, or active inflammation, the probiotics in yogurt could contribute to bacterial overgrowth rather than balance.
• Some individuals find that fermented dairy triggers bloating or gut discomfort.

💡 Try this instead: If yogurt isn’t working for you, pause it and reintroduce it gradually once your gut is more stable.

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Final Thoughts: Customizing SCD for Your Gut Health 🥗

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a powerful tool for gut healing, but every gut is unique. Just because a food is technically SCD-legal doesn’t mean it’s right for you at every stage of your journey.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

✅ Listen to your body’s signals and make adjustments accordingly.
✅ Avoid trigger foods that worsen bloating, gut inflammation, or bacterial overgrowth.
✅ Focus on easy-to-digest, healing foods during the early stages of SCD.

🎧 Want to learn more? Listen to the full episode of Digestible Dialogues for expert insights & tips → https://youtu.be/kRncwRu5i3s?si=l7uKZwzYAPPCc2Wz

• Listem on Spotify
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Substack
• Listen on Amazon Music
• Listen on Audible

What’s Next?

Have you struggled with any of these foods on your SCD journey? Drop a comment below and share your experience! 👇💬