1. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet Shands at UF

2. What are Carbohydrates? You’ve probably heard a number of confusing and conflicting statements about carbohydrates. This is, in part, due to the fact that the term carbohydrate is used for a whole variety of foods that are not very much alike. Another confusing fact about carbohydrates is the ones that are usually considered healthy, may not be healthy for you.

3. The carbohydrates we eat are chemicals made up of of one ring, monosaccharide, two rings, disaccharides, or more than two rings, polysaccharides.

4. The carbohydrates we eat are chemicals made up of of one ring, monosaccharide, two rings, disaccharides, or more than two rings, polysaccharides

5. If a carbohydrate has more than one ring, the rings need to be broken apart before the nutrients from the carbohydrate can enter the body.

6. The Simple Carbohydrate Diet includes only the monosaccharide, the carbohydrate that doesn’t have to be broken down before it can enter the body. The Simple Carbohydrates are: Glucose, Fructose, and Galatose

7. Simple carbohydrates are often considered unhealthy and glucose is confused with table sugar. Glucose is the necessary nutrient that our body needs for energy and table sugar, which has two rings, is eliminated on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.

8. Starch is a polysaccaride, or a nutrient made up of lots of rings. However, the some vegetables with starch are allowed on the SCD since their rings are arranged in such a fashion that they are simpler to break down.

9. So you can’t have any grain Or anything with sugar, which leaves out most processed food - What can you eat!!!!!!

10. You can eat: 1.Fresh and frozen meats 2.Fish, fresh or frozen or canned in water or oil 3. Eggs 4. Natural Cheeses 5.Homemade yogurt 6.Most fresh or frozen vegetables 7.Most dried legumes 8.Most fruits, fresh, raw, cooked, frozen, and dried 9.Most nuts 10.Most oils, mustards, and vinegar

11. This diet is very healthy, but in order to be clear about which foods are allowed it is best to get the book by Elaine Gottschall, Breaking the Vicious Cycle. You can also get a lot of information and recipes on the web.

12. To get started you need to assemble the ingredients and foods you will be eating. The most difficult part of the diet for most people will be preparing food and taking it with you. You will need to remember to have your mixed nuts, fruits, boiled eggs, and other acceptable foods with you wherever you go.

13. Recipes for chicken soup or meatloaf are available in the book and are a good way to get started. There are a lot of bean recipes that can be made ahead and are nutritious and inexpensive.