Food Differences - SCD Vs FODMAPs

I can't explain the full science behind each diet properly but I have read a fair bit on each diet and tried both of them to control my Ulcerative Colitis.  I tried the Fodmap diet first as it's used to releive symptoms of IBS, which often are suffered by colitis suffers too, and is much less restrictive than SCD.  The diet does help a bit with gas and diarrhea, however, it didn't help to keep me in remission or stop flare ups -  my immune system was still attacking.  I tried the diet strictly for about 3 months, then gave up and went back to eating norally.  I then went onto the SCD diet in July as I'd not had much luck with medication controlling my UC and the doctor was considering putting me on Biologics - that scared me into trying SCD.  I've been on it for over 6 months and have been completely sympton free, on very low maintenance dose of Balsalazide and my stomach just seems to work properly now, also take probiotics and omega 3 supplements. 

From what I can gather, the difference between the diets is that with SCD it's trying to change the bacteria that's in your intestine by removing any foods that 'bad bacteria' can use for fuel/food - which includes all grains.  The Fodmap approach is more about taking away foods that are hard to break down and can therefore cause gas and/or diarrhea when they are broken down - it's not necessarily trying to change the microflora in your gut, just takes out food to avoid symptoms of gas and diarrhea because it's for IBS rather than IBD.   I think IBD reacts to bacteria in the gut that it doesn't recognise and attackes, so changing that bacteria is key.  IBS is different. 

Don't know if that's any help but that's my understanding and story.  If you're suffering from UC I'd highly recommend giving SCD a go, the book 'breaking the vicious circle' is a great start point. 

Laura :-) 

On Fodmap it was mainly a case of eating gluten free so I ate gluten free substitutes and also ate rice, oats, potatoes etc, anything that didn't contain gluten, I also avoided vegetables like cabbage and broccoli (all brasicas) as they can cause gas when broken down, I also cut out lactose so I had lactose free milk, cheese and yoghurt and had dairy free substitutes like chocolate etc.

On SCD I dont eat any grains or starches so no substitutes no oats, rice, potatoes at all. Again I avoid lactose, but the lactose free substitutes are no good either because of the chemicals they add to get rid of the lactose, I drink nut milks now ensuring they have no added sugars and as few ingredients as possible (I couldn't be bothered to make my own), I do make my own yoghurt which 'cooks' for at least 24 hrs as this breaks down all lactose and I can eat hard cheeses (cheddar etc) and ripened cheeses too. I can eat all meat as long as theyre not processed and eat lots of eggs and fish too. As for fruit and veg I eat all of it apart from some root vegetables which are starchy. I also avoid all sugar except for honey and I eat lots of nuts, I use nut flours and nut butters to make bread, muffins, biscuits, puddings etc, and fortunately they freeze really well which makes life easier!

If u decide to try SCD then you have to do an intro diet for 3 days which is a bit grim but it kills off all bad bacteria in your gut which I think is essential to start the diet. Within the first week my colitis symptoms had stopped, but I didnt feel great during the first 6 weeks, I was aching a bit and a bit fed up, but once I got past the first 6 weeks I've felt great ever since and had no symptoms or flares for 7 months now. Its the only thing that has ever worked for me and I feel really healthy on the diet. Weirdly I dont miss carbs or sugar at all, only thing I really miss is chocolate, but I can easy live with that!

Sorry this is such a long reply - hope it helps

Laura :-)