SCD Legal Foods
The following is a list of foods that are allowed (legal) and foods that are not allowed (illegal) while following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet™, as outlined in the book Breaking the Vicious Cycle.
Food Item
Legal/Illegal
Notes
A
Acorn Squash
Legal
Agar-Agar
Illegal
Agave Syrup
Illegal
Algae
Illegal
Allspice
Legal
Almond Butter
Legal
Almond Milk
Legal
Only Homemade
Almond Oil
Legal
Almonds
Legal
Unsalted Only
Aloe Vera
Illegal
Amaranth Flour
Illegal
Anchovies
Legal
Apple Cider
Legal
Apple Juice
Illegal
Apples
Legal
Apricots
Legal
Arrowroot
Illegal
Artichokes (French)
Legal
Artichokes (Jerusalem)
Illegal
Ascorbic Acid
Legal
Asiago Cheese
Legal
Occasionally
Asparagus
Legal
Only Fresh Or Frozen.
Aspartic Acid
Legal
Astragalus
Illegal
Avocado Oil
Legal
Avocadoes
Legal
B
Bacon
Legal
Sugar-Free Only
Baker'S Yeast
Illegal
Baking Powder
Illegal
Baking Soda
Legal
Balsamic Vinegar
Illegal
Unless Aged For 15+ Yrs & Sugar-Free
Bananas
Legal
Bark Tea
Illegal
Barley
Illegal
Basil
Legal
Bay Leaf
Legal
Bean Flour
Illegal
Bean Sprouts
Illegal
Bee Pollen
Illegal
Raw Honey Is Illegal
Beef
Legal
Fresh & Frozen Only With Clean Ingredients
Beer
Illegal
Beets
Legal
Berries
Legal
Bhindi
Illegal
Bitter Gourd
Illegal
Black Beans
Legal
Only When Symptom Free
Black Eye Beans
Illegal
Black Radish
Legal
With Caution, As It Is Fibrous
Blue Cheese
Legal
Occasionally
Bok Choy
Legal
Only When Symptom Free
Bologna
Illegal
Bouillon Cubes
Illegal
Bourbon
Legal
Occasionally
Brandy
Illegal
Brazil Nuts
Legal
Unsalted Only
Brick Cheese
Legal
Use Freely
Brie Cheese
Legal
Occasionally
Broccoli
Legal
Brussell Sprouts
Legal
Buckwheat
Illegal
Bulgur
Illegal
Burdock Root
Illegal
Butter
Legal
Butter Beans
Illegal
Buttermilk
Illegal
Butternut Squash
Legal
C
Cabbage
Legal
Only When Symptom Free
Camembart Cheese
Legal
Occasionally
Canellini Beans
Illegal
Canned Fish
Legal
With Clean Ingredients Only
Canned Fruits
Illegal
Unless Canned In Its Own Juice
Canned Vegetables
Illegal
Canola Oil
Legal
Not A Healthy Oil Though
Cantaloupe
Legal
Capers
Legal
Carob
Illegal
Carrageenan
Illegal
Carrots
Legal
Cashews
Legal
Unsalted Only
Cauliflower
Legal
With Caution, As It Is Hard To Digest
Celery Root/Celeriac
Legal
With Caution, As It Is Fibrous
Celery
Legal
Cellulose (In Supplements)
Legal
Cellulose Gum
Illegal
Chard
Legal
With Caution, As It Is Hard To Digest
Cheddar Cheese
Legal
Use Freely
Cherimoya
Legal
Cherries
Legal
Chestnut Flour
Illegal
Chestnuts
Legal
Only When Symptom Free
Chevre
Illegal
Chewing Gum
Illegal
Chia Seeds
Illegal
Chick Peas
Illegal
Chickory Root
Illegal
Chlorella
Illegal
Chocolate
Illegal
Cilantro
Legal
Cinnamon
Legal
Citric Acid
Legal
Club Soda
Legal
Cocoa Butter
Legal
Cocoa Powder
Illegal
Coconut
Legal
Coconut Milk
Legal
Nature'S Value Brand
Coconut Oil
Legal
Coffee (Not Instant)
Legal
Light Coffee Only, Not Strong
Coffee (Instant)
Illegal
Colby Cheese
Legal
Use Freely
Collard Greens
Legal
Only When Symptom Free
Cordials
Illegal
Corn
Illegal
Corn Oil
Legal
Corn Syrup
Illegal
Cornstarch
Illegal
Cottage Cheese
Illegal
Cranberry Juice
Legal
Pure With No Added Sugar
Cream
Illegal
Unless Fermented For 24 Hrs
Cream Cheese
Illegal
Cream Of Tartar
Illegal
Croscomellose Sodium
Illegal
Cucumbers
Legal
Custard Apple
Legal
Cyclamate
Legal
D
Date Sugar
Illegal
Dates
Legal
Loosely Packed Medjool Or California Only
Decaffeinated Products
Illegal
Dextrose
Illegal
Dried Milk Solids
Illegal
Drumsticks
Illegal
Dry Curd Cottage Cheese
Legal
Also Known As Farmer'S Cheese
Durum Flour
Illegal
E
Echinacea
Legal
Edam Cheese
Legal
Occasionally
Eggplant
Legal
Eggs
Legal
Empower
Illegal
Ethanol
Legal
Evaporated Cane Juice
Illegal
Ezekiel Bread
Illegal
F
Faba Beans
Illegal
Fenugreek
Illegal
Feta Cheese
Legal
In Small Amounts 6+ Months Into The Diet And Symptom Free
Figs
Legal
Only When Symptom Free
Filberts
Legal
Unsalted Only
Fish
Legal
Flax Seeds
Illegal
Flax Seed Oil
Legal
Flour
Illegal
Fos
Illegal
Fowl
Legal
Frozen Orange Juice (Concentrate)
Illegal
Fructose
Illegal
Fruits
Legal
Fresh Or Frozen, Or Canned In Its Own Juice
G
Garbanzo Beans
Illegal
Garfava Flour
Illegal
Garlic
Legal
Stay Away From Garlic Powder
Gelatin (Unflavored)
Legal
Ghee
Legal
Gin
Legal
Occasionally
Ginger
Legal
Gjetost Cheese
Illegal
Glucose
Illegal
Glycerin
Legal
Glycerol
Legal
Goatein
Illegal
Gorgonzola Cheese
Legal
Occasionally
Gouda Cheese
Legal
Occasionally
Grape Juice
Legal
White Or Dark With No Added Sugars Diluted In Water
Grapefruit
Legal
Grapefruit Juice
Legal
Fresh Only Diluted In Water
Grapes
Legal
Grapeseed Oil
Legal
Green Tea
Legal
Up To 2 Cups Daily
Gruyere Cheese
Legal
Guar Gum
Illegal
Gums
Illegal
H
Ham
Legal
Cured With Salt Only
Haricot Beans
Legal
Prepared According To Btvc & Only When Symptom Free
Havarti Cheese
Legal
Use Freely
Hazelnuts
Legal
Unsalted Only
Hemp Seeds, Hemp Protein Powder
Illegal
Hn-Zyme
Legal
Homemade Yogurt
Legal
Very Beneficial
Honey
Legal
Filtered And Clear To The Eye, No Raw
Hot Dogs
Illegal
Unless Made According To Scd Standards
Hydrolyzed Protein
Illegal
I
Inositol
Illegal
Inulin
Illegal
Iron Supplements
Illegal
Unless It Is Chelated Iron
Isoglucose
Illegal
J
Jaggery
Illegal
Jalapenos
Legal
Jicama
Illegal
Juice From Concentrate
Illegal
K
Kale
Legal
Kefir
Illegal
Ketchup
Illegal
Unless Made According To Scd Standards
Kidney Beans
Legal
Prepared According To Btvc & Only When Symptom Free
Kimchi
Legal
Kiwi Fruit
Legal
Kohlrabi
Illegal
Konjac
Illegal
Kudzu
Illegal
Kumquats
Legal
Kyogreen Powder
Illegal
L
L-Theanine
Legal
Check Ingredients Carefully & Introduce Slowly
Lactaid Milk
Illegal
Lactose Hydrolyzed Milk
Illegal
Lamb
Legal
Fresh & Frozen Only With Clean Ingredients
Lecithin
Legal
Leek
Legal
Lemons
Legal
Lentils
Legal
Prepared According To Btvc
Lettuce
Legal
Leucine
Legal
Licorice
Illegal
Lignin
Illegal
Lima Beans
Legal
Prepared According To Btvc & Only When Symptom Free
Limburger Cheese
Legal
Occasionally
Limes
Legal
Liqueurs
Illegal
Liquid Clorychlorophyll
Illegal
M
Macadamia Nuts
Legal
Macadamia Oil
Legal
Magnesium Citrate
Legal
Magnesium Stearate
Legal
Maltitol
Illegal
Maltodextrin
Illegal
Manchego Cheese
Legal
Mangoes
Legal
Mannitol
Illegal
Maple Syrup
Illegal
Margarine
Illegal
Marshmallow
Illegal
Mastic Gum
Illegal
Mead
Illegal
Meats
Legal
Fresh & Frozen Only With Clean Ingredients
Melatonin
Illegal
Melon
Legal
Milk
Illegal
Millet
Illegal
Miracle Noodles
Illegal
Miso
Illegal
Molasses
Illegal
Molo-Cure
Illegal
Monterey Jack Cheese
Legal
Occasionally
Mozzarella Cheese
Illegal
Occasionally
Msg
Illegal
Mucilaginous Herbs
Illegal
Mucilaginous Polysaccharides
Illegal
Muenster Cheese
Legal
Occasionally
Mungbeans
Illegal
Mushrooms
Legal
Mustard (Plain)
Legal
Check Ingredients Carefully
N
Natural Flavors
Illegal
Navy Beans
Legal
Prepared According To Btvc & Only When Symptom Free
Nectarines
Legal
Nettles
Illegal
Neufchatel Cheese
Illegal
Noni Juice
Illegal
Nutmeg
Legal
O
Oats
Illegal
Okra
Illegal
Olive Oil
Legal
Olives
Legal
Check Ingredients Carefully
Onions
Legal
Stay Away From Onion Powder
Orange Juice
Legal
From The Refrigerator Section Only With No Added Ingredients Such As Tropicana'S Original
Oranges
Legal
Oregano
Legal
P
Papaya
Legal
Pappadum
Illegal
Paprika
Legal
Parmesan
Legal
Occasionally
Parsley
Legal
Parsnips
Illegal
Passion Fruit
Legal
Pasta
Illegal
Pau'Arco
Illegal
Pea Flour
Illegal
Peaches
Legal
Peanut Butter
Illegal
Sugar-Free Only
Peanut Oil
Legal
Peanuts
Legal
Unsalted Only & Only Once Symptom Free
Pears
Legal
Peas
Legal
Pecans
Legal
Unsalted Only
Pectin
Illegal
Peppermint Tea
Legal
Peppers
Legal
Peptizyde
Legal
Persimmons
Legal
Phosphatidylcholine
Legal
Pickles (Dill)
Legal
With Clean Ingredients Only
Pine Nuts
Legal
Hard To Digest, May Be Tried Very Cautiously In Small Amounts Once Symptom Free
Pineapple
Legal
Pineapple Juice
Illegal
Pinto Beans
Illegal
Pistachio Nuts
Legal
Unsalted Only & Only Once Symptom Free
Plantains
Illegal
Plums
Legal
Polysorbate 80
Illegal
Pomegranate Concentrate
Illegal
Pork
Legal
Fresh & Frozen Only With Clean Ingredients
Pork Rinds
Legal
Plain With Clean Ingredients
Port Du Salut Cheese
Legal
Occasionally
Port Wine
Illegal
Postum
Illegal
Pottasium Sorbate
Legal
Potatoes
Illegal
Poultry
Legal
Fresh & Frozen Only With Clean Ingredients
Primal Defense
Illegal
Primost Cheese
Illegal
Protein Powder
Illegal
Provolone Cheese
Legal
Prunes
Legal
Psyllium Husks
Illegal
Pumpkin
Legal
Fresh Only, Stay Away From Canned
Q
Quinoa
Illegal
Quorn
Illegal
R
Raisins
Legal
Only Once Symptom Free
Rhubarb
Legal
Rice
Illegal
Rice Bran
Illegal
Allowed As A Supplement Filler
Rice Flour
Illegal
Ricotta Cheese
Illegal
Romano Cheese
Legal
Occasionally
Roquefort Cheese
Legal
Occasionally
Rosemary
Legal
Rutabaga
Legal
With Caution, As It Is Fibrous
Rye
Illegal
S
Saccharine
Legal
Not A Healthy Sweetener Though
Safflower Oil
Legal
Sage
Legal
Sago Starch
Illegal
Sake
Illegal
Salt
Legal
Sashimi
Legal
Sauerkraut
Legal
Only When Symptom Free
Seaweed
Illegal
Seed Butter
Illegal
Seed Flour
Illegal
Seeds
Legal
Only Once Symptom Free For 3 Months
Sesame Oil
Legal
Sesame Seeds
Legal
Only Once Symptom Free For 3 Months
Sharifa
Legal
Shellfish
Legal
Fresh & Frozen Only With Clean Ingredients
Sherry
Illegal
Silica
Legal
Silicon Dioxide
Legal
Slippery Elm
Illegal
Smoked Meats
Illegal
Unless Prepared With No Added Sugar
Sodium Benzoate
Legal
Sodium Starch Glycinate
Illegal
Sorbitol
Illegal
Sour Cream
Illegal
Soy
Illegal
Soy Lecithin
Legal
Soy Sauce
Illegal
Soybean Milk
Illegal
Soybean Oil
Illegal
Soybeans
Illegal
Spearmint Tea
Legal
Spelt
Illegal
Spices
Legal
Single Spices Only, No Mixes. Stay Away From Powders.
Spinach
Legal
Spirulina
Illegal
Splenda
Illegal
Split Peas
Legal
Prepared According To Btvc
Sprouted Grain Bread
Illegal
Squash
Legal
Stevia
Illegal
Stilton Cheese
Legal
Occasionally
String Beans
Legal
Sucralose
Illegal
Sulphites
Legal
Sunflower Oil
Legal
Swede
Legal
Sweet Potatoes
Illegal
Swiss Cheese
Legal
Use Freely
T
Tabasco Sauce
Illegal
Tagatose
Illegal
Tamari
Illegal
Tamarind
Illegal
Tangerines
Legal
Tapioca
Illegal
Tapioca Flour
Illegal
Taro
Illegal
Tarragon
Legal
Tea
Legal
Peppermint/Spearmint/Ginger, Or Plain Black Tea, Light Only - Not Strong, & Green Tea Up To 2 Cups Daily
Thyme
Legal
Tofu
Illegal
Tofutti Cheese
Illegal
Tomato
Legal
Fresh Only, Stay Away From Canned
Tomato Juice (Canned)
Legal
Ingredients Should Read: Tomatoes, Salt
Tomato Paste (Canned)
Illegal
Tomato Puree (Canned)
Illegal
Tomato Sauce (Canned)
Illegal
Triticale
Illegal
Turbinado
Illegal
Turnips
Illegal
V
V8 Juice
Illegal
Vanillin
Legal
Stay Away From The Concentrated Form
Vegetable Stearate
Legal
Vegetables (Canned)
Illegal
Fresh Or Frozen Only
Vinegar
Legal
See Reference Above In Regards To Balsamic Vinegar
Vodka
Legal
Occasionally
W
Walnut Oil
Legal
Walnuts
Legal
Unsalted Only
Wasabi
Legal
With Clean Ingredients Only
Water Chestnuts
Illegal
Watercress
Legal
Watermelon
Legal
Wheat
Illegal
Wheat Germ
Illegal
Whisky
Legal
Occasionally
Wine
Legal
Very Dry Wines Only
X
Xanthum Gum
Illegal
Xylitol
Illegal
Y
Yams
Illegal
Yogurt (Homemade)
Legal
Must Be Homemade, No Commercial
Yucca Root
Illegal
Z
Zucchini
Legal
