Overview of Therapeutic Diets

Introduction Stages/Phases Food Table Food Table Overv.Char. of the Diets

Comparing and Contrasting Therapeutic Diets

Although each therapeutic is unique in their approach, all diets presented here share several important principles. They all seek to eliminate food items that have been shown to be harmful in general (eg, processed foods and additives) as well to eliminate, restrict, or limit food items with potentially damaging effects in IBD (eg, gluten, sugar, and/or dairy or lactose). At the same time, they emphasize increasing the quantity and variety of beneficial fruits and vegetables and focus on overall healthy, whole food eating patterns.

The International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IOIBD) has provided recommendations regarding specific dietary components, food groups, and food additives that may be helpful to increase or decrease in the diet of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases to control and prevent relapse. This consensus may provide additional context when reviewing the food categories included in these charts.

The tables provided below:

introduce a simplistic overview of the basic requirements of the diets and are intended to illustrate the similarities and differences between the diets.
offer a bird's eye view of restricted and allowed foods.
are not an all-inclusive list of the allowed and restricted foods, nor do they define all the rules of each diet.
should NOT be used as a guide to following any of the diets.

When a diet is chosen patients should work with a dietitian to implement the diet and properly progress through the phases/stages, referring to the documentation provided by the diet creators.

Close up of hands showing vegetables of different colours

Stages/Phases Used in the Tables

Stages or phases can help make therapeutic diets easier to follow when getting started. Some diets have formal stages, while others simply offer guidance on which foods to begin with and when to try adding more variety.

In general, therapeutic diets are more structured than traditional healthy eating plans and often require closer adherence, especially at the beginning. Over time, many of these diets allow some foods to be reintroduced or tested after symptoms improve or remission is achieved. These foods should only be added gradually and continued if they are well tolerated, and some may still need to be limited in amount.

The Food Tables below describe the foods generally allowed during certain phases/stages. They do not include foods reintroduced later based on individual preference and tolerance. It is also important to note that not all potentially allowed foods may be introduced at once, even within an allowed phase.

Click below to learn about the phases/stages for each diet.

SCD and mSCD

SCD does not have official stages, but it does have five introductory days with a shortened list of foods.

The "stages" described on pecanbread.com are often used by patients with symptoms and active disease. These stages are not part of the official diet but can be used as a guide when food introduction proves difficult.

The final "stage" of SCD and mSCD are described in the table.

After 1-2 years of sustained remission, both SCD and mSCD allow for introducing other healthy foods outside the normal parameters of the diet. Because these food additions could be "anything tolerated" and differ per person, they are not included in the food table. Many recommend sticking with the diet as written and staying within the defined parameters, so the addition of foods should be considered carefully.

IBD-AID

The IBD-AID defines three phases based on the level of symptoms present.

It is extremely important to begin the diet at the proper phase.

The table represents the foods allowed in the third and final phase of the diet, intended for those in remission.

The IBD-AID aims for 80% compliance or above, noting that better results may come with better compliance. Any foods added within this 20% buffer are not included in the table.

CDED

CDED is divided into three phases.

The first two 6-week phases are grouped together as the Induction Phase, which is used for inducing remission. The Induction Phase is the most important phase of the diet and is required for efficacy. The principles of the diet are best represented by this phase.

Induction Phase

Weeks 1-6: limits insoluble fiber to prevent bowel obstructions
Weeks 7-12: adds back in many of those limited vegetables by week 10.

Maintenance Phase

Weeks 13+: allows reintroduction of some foods that are not necessarily recommended in order to promote better long-term compliance. This phase is used after remission is achieved and is intended to sustain that remission.

The Maintenance Phase requires following the diet for five contiguous days, then allows for a maximum of two contiguous days (generally weekends) of two free meals per day (maximum of four free meals per week). It is important to continue to exclude processed meat (hot dogs, sausages, luncheon meats, and bacon), soft drinks, and frozen dough from those free meals.

Scientific evidence is most robust at this time for the Induction Phase and is still in progress for the Maintenance Phase.

To view the most complete picture of CDED, both the Induction Phase and the Maintenance Phase are represented in the table seperately. Free meals are not included.

Tasty&Healthy

The Tasty&Healthy Diet consists of two phases, the Induction Phase and the Maintenance Phase.

Induction Phase

Weeks 1-8: foods that have been shown to aggravate intestinal inflammation are excluded. Patients are encouraged to eat a variety of all other foods not on the "avoid" list, freely in full flexibility.

Maintenance Phase

Weeks 9+: begin only if remission has been achieved. Specific foods are reintroduced every 4 weeks, starting with gluten and followed by dairy. Inflammatory markers should be checked after the addition of each new food (every 4 weeks). It is important to continue to avoid packaged or processed foods.

Emerging evidence is most robust at this time for the Induction Phase and is still in progress for the Maintenance Phase.

Both the Induction and Maintenance Phases are represented separately in the table.

Food Table

We recommend viewing these tables on a bigger screen.

Diets are Similar with Regard to the Following Foods:

Food

SCD
Final Stage

mSCD
Final Stage

IBD-AID
Final Phase

CDED
Induction Phase

CDED
Maintenance Phase

Tasty&Healthy Induction Phase

Tasty&Healthy Maintenance Phase

Allowed

Fish

Allowed

Weeks 1-6: Allowed, lean fish (white fish or wild caught salmon)
After week 7-12: May add tuna

Allowed, fresh, wild caught

Allowed (avoid frozen)

Red Meat
(not processed)

Allowed

Allowed, leaner cuts emphasized

1 portion of lean steak per week after week 6 (not recommended)

1 portion of lean steak per week only

Exclude

Honey

Allowed

Allowed, local organic encouraged

Allowed, in small quantities

Allowed in small amounts only if necessary (not recommended)

Allowed

Allowed or Selectively Allowed

Poultry

Allowed

Allowed, no skin

Allowed, fresh chicken breast only

Allowed (no skin)

Allowed

Vegetables
(Other than starchy vegetables and nightshades, which are listed separately)

Allowed

Allowed, no skin

Weeks 1-6: Allowed carrot, spinach, lettuce and others as tolerated
Weeks 10-12: Allowed, broccoli, mushroom, cauliflower, sweet potato, yam, and others
*Gradually increase variety as tolerated. Consult a dietitian especially with with high fiber vegetables.

Allowed, based on personalized tolerance

Allowed

Fruits

Allowed

Weeks 1-6: Allowed, banana, apples, avocado, strawberries, melon, cucumber, tomato, fresh squeezed juice, as tolerated
‍Weeks 7-12: Allowed, pear, peach, kiwi, blueberry and others.
*Gradually increase variets as tolerated. Consult a dietitian especially with high fiber fruits.

Allowed, based on personalized tolerance

Allowed

Fats/Oils

Most Allowed; No soybean oil, limit processed oils like canola oil

Allowed: Limit oils high in omega-6 and saturated fatsed

Only olive oil and canola oil allowed

Allowed (olive or canola preferred; not used for deep frying)

Exclude or Restrict

Grains
(other than wheat, corn, oats, and rice, which are listed separately)

Exclude

Barley is allowed if not celiac.

Quinoa allowed after week 6

Allowed- oats (preferably gluten-free), quinoa, choice of whole grain additive-free bread (2 slices/day) or pasta (1 serving/day)

Gluten-free grains allowed

Allowed (mainly unprocessed, whole spelt, barley, rye and oats); test inflammatory markers after 4 weeks of reintroduction

Dairy

Allows homemade 24-hour yogurt and cheeses aged 30 days or more

Some allowed: Aged cheese, dry curd cottage cheese, cultured cottage cheese, plain kefir, plain yogurt

Exclude

Allowed, additive-free yogurt (1 cup/day)

Allows only unsweetened natural or probiotic yogurt

Allowed, unprocessed; test inflammatory markers after 4 weeks of reintroduction

Sweeteners
(other than honey and artificial sweeteners, which are listed separately)

Exclude

Maple syrup allowed

Exclude

Allowed, maple syrup or table sugar in small quantities

Natural sugars allowed in small amounts if necessary (not recommended)

Alcohol

Some allowed: dry wine, vodka, gin, rye, Scotch, bourbon, whiskey

Some allowed on limited basis: dry wine, vodka, gin, rye, Scotch, bourbon, whiskey per patient tolerance

Exclude

1 cup of wine or beer allowed on weekends

Allowed in small amounts if necessary (not recommended)

Emulsifiers

Exclude

Exclude maltodextrin, carrageenan, polysorbate-80, carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC). Some emulsifiers, such as guar gum, may be protective.

Exclude

Processed Meat

Exclude

Artificial Sweeteners

Exclude

Processed Foods / Preservatives / Artificial Additives

Exclude

Diets Differ for The Following Foods:

Food

SCD
Final Stage

mSCD
Final Stage

IBD-AID
Final Phase

CDED
Induction Phase

CDED
Maintenance Phase

Tasty&Healthy Induction Phase

Tasty&Healthy Maintenance Phase

Seafood other than fish, which is listed separately

Allowed

Excluded

Allowed, fresh, wild caught

Allowed (avoid frozen)

Wheat/Gluten

Exclude

Exclude wheat. Gluten in barley is allowed if not celiac. Gluten in rye is unknown.

Allowed- whole grain, additive-free bread (1 slice/day)

Allowed- either whole grain, additive-free bread (2 slices/day) OR 1 cup cooked pasta

Exclude

Allowed (mainly whole spelt, barley, rye and oats); test inflammatory markers after 4 weeks of reintroduction

Corn

Exclude

Allowed after week 10

Allowed

Oats

Exclude

Allowed (gluten-free oats only):
‍Per Day: Maximum of 2 servings of any combination of rice/oats/sweet potato
‍Per Week: Minimum of 3 servings and maximum of 6 servings of any combination of rice/oats/sweet potato
‍Serving Size: 1 cup

Allowed (gluten-free oats if celiac), steel cut and oat groats encouraged, longer cooking times and additional water may be required

Allowed- after week 6, gluten-free oats preferred

Allowed, gluten-free preferred

Allowed (gluten-free oats only)

Allowed

Rice

Exclude

Allowed:
‍Per Day: Maximum of 2 servings of any combination of rice/oats/sweet potato
‍Per Week: Minimum of 3 servings and maximum of 6 servings of any combination of rice/oats/sweet potato
‍Serving Size: 1

Organic rice allowed in limited amounts after 6 months and if health is stabilized

Allowed, whole grain, flour or noodles, etc

Allowed

Dried Legumes/Beans

Certain dried legumes allowed: Peanuts, navy beans, lima beans, black beans, lentils, split peas; soaking required

Allowed, may need to vary texture and take digestive enzymes prior to consumption

Allowed, after week 6

Allowed

Starchy Vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, turnips, parsnips, etc)

Exclude

Some allowed: Sweet potatoes, maybe white potatoes, organic preferred to avoid bud product:
‍Per Day: Maximum of 2 servings of any combination of rice/oats/sweet potato
‍Per Week: Minimum of 3 servings and maximum of 6 servings of any combination of rice/oats/sweet potato
‍Serving Size: 1 cup

Most Allowed: Exclude white potatoes

Weeks 1-6: Potatoes only allowed
Weeks 7-12: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams allowed, based on tolerance.
*Gradually increase variety as tolerated. Consult a dietitian, especially with foods with high fiber.

Allowed, based on personalized tolerance

Allowed

Nightshades (tomatoes, tomatillos, white potatoes [not sweet potatoes], eggplant, peppers, goji berries, etc)

Most allowed: no white potatoes

Allowed

Mostly Allowed. Exclude White Potatoes

Weeks 1-6: Tomato and potato allowed.
‍Weeks 7-12: Red Pepper also allowed.
*Gradually increase variety as tolerated. Consult a dietitian, especially with foods with high fiber.

Allowed, based on personalized tolerance

Allowed

Nuts

Allowed

Allowed, almonds or walnuts (small quantities)

Allowed, small quantities based on personalized tolerance

Allowed

Seeds

Most allowed: no chia or flax

Allowed

Exclude

Allowed

Eggs

Allowed

Allowed: encourage omega-3 eggs

Allowed

Allowed (1 per day)

Allowed

Cocoa

Exclude

Allowed (only 100% cocoa powder, not Dutch processed)

Allowed

Exclude

Allowed

Coffee

Allowed

Exclude

Allowed: Black coffee allowed (any coffee allowed on weekends)

Allowed (without flavoring)

Formula (PEN; eg, Boost®, Ensure®, Pediasure®, Modulen IBD®)

Exclude

Exclude: encourage whole food smoothies and supplements

Allowed (recommended at 25-50% of daily caloric intake)

Allowed (optionally continue at 25% daily caloric intake)

Allowed but not necessary

Food Table Organized By Food Type:

Food

SCD
Final Stage

mSCD
Final Stage

IBD-AID
Final Phase

CDED
Induction Phase

CDED
Maintenance Phase

Tasty&Healthy Induction Phase

Tasty&Healthy Maintenance Phase

Fish

Allowed

Weeks 1-6: lean fish (white fish, wild caught salmon)
After week 7-12: may add tuna

Allowed (fresh, wild caught)

Allowed (not frozen)

Seafood other than fish, which is listed separately

Allowed

Excluded

Allowed, (fresh, wild caught)

Allowed (not frozen)

Poultry

Allowed

Allowed, no skin

Allowed, fresh chicken breast only

Allowed, no skin

Allowed

Red Meat
(not processed)

Allowed

Allowed, leaner cuts emphasized

1 portion of lean steak per week after week 6 (not recommended)

1 portion of lean steak per week only

Exclude

Processed Meat

Exclude

Grains

Wheat/Gluten

Exclude

Exclude wheat. Gluten in barley is allowed if not celiac. Gluten in rye is unknown.

1 slice whole grain, additive-free bread allowed per day after week 6

Either 2 slices whole grain, additive-free bread allowed per day or 1 cup cooked pasta

Exclude

Allowed, unprocessed; test inflammatory markers after 4 weeks of reintroduction

Corn

Exclude

Allowed after week 10

Allowed

Allowed, unprocessed

Oats

Exclude

Allowed (gluten-free oats if celiac), steel cut and oat groats encouraged, longer cooking times and additional water may be required

Allowed, gluten-free oats preferred

Allowed, gluten-free preferred

Allowed (unprocessed, gluten-free)

Allowed, unprocessed

Rice

Exclude

Organic rice allowed in limited amounts after 6 months and if health is stabilized

Allowed, whole grain, flour, noodles, etc

Allowed, unprocessed

Grains
(other than wheat, corn, oats, and rice, which are listed separately)

Exclude

Barley is allowed if not celiac.

Quinoa allowed after week 6

Allowed

Unprocessed, gluten-free grains allowed

All unprocessed grains allowed; test inflammatory markers after 4 weeks of reintroduction

Vegetables, Legumes, and Fruits

Dried Legumes/Beans

Certain dried legumes allowed: Peanuts, navy beans, lima beans, black beans, lentils, split peas; soaking required

Allowed, may need to vary texture and take digestive enzymes prior to consumption

Allowed, after week 6

Allowed

Fresh Legumes/beans (peas, green beans, etc)

Allowed

Allowed, may need to vary texture and take digestive enzymes prior to consumption

Allowed, after week 6

Allowed

Starchy Vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, turnips, parsnips, etc)

Exclude

Most Allowed: Exclude white potatoes

Weeks 1-6: Potatoes only allowed
Weeks 7-12: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams allowed.
*Gradually increase variety as tolerated. Consult a dietitian, especially with high fiber vegetables.

Allowed, based on personalized tolerance

Allowed

Nightshades (tomatoes, tomatillos, white potatoes [not sweet potatoes], eggplant, peppers, goji berries, etc)

Most allowed: no white potatoes

Allowed

Mostly Allowed. Exclude White Potatoes

Weeks 1-6: Tomatoes and Potatoes allowed.
‍Weeks 7-12: Red Peppers also allowed.
*Gradually increase variety as tolerated. Consult a dietitian, especially with high fiber foods.

Allowed, based on personalized tolerance

Allowed

Vegetables
(Other than starchy vegetables and nightshades, which are listed separately)

Allowed

Allowed, no skin

Weeks 1-6: Allowed carrot, spinach, lettuce, onion, garlic, ginger
Weeks 7-12: Add mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower and others.
*Gradually increase variety based on tolerance. Consult a dietitian especially with high fiber vegetables.

Allowed, based on personalized tolerance

Allowed

Fruits

Allowed

Weeks 1-6: Allowed, banana, apple, avocado, strawberry, melon, fresh squeezed juice, as tolerated.
‍Weeks 7-12: Add pear, peach, kiwi, and blueberry
*Gradually increase variety as tolerated. Consult a dietitian, especially with high fiber vegetables.

Allowed, based on personalized tolerance

Allowed

Dairy

Dairy

Allows homemade 24-hour yogurt and cheeses aged 30 days or more

Some allowed: Aged cheese, dry curd cottage cheese, cultured cottage cheese, plain kefir, plain yogurt

Exclude

Allowed, 1 cup additive-free yogurt per day

Allows plain yogurt without additives (yogurt is a fermented food containing microbes)

Allowed, unprocessed; test inflammatory markers after 4 weeks of reintroduction

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts

Allowed

Allowed, almonds or walnuts (small quantites)

Allowed

Seeds

Most allowed: no chia or flax

Allowed

Exclude

Allowed

Sweeteners

Honey

Allowed

Allowed, local organic encouraged

Allowed in small quantities

Allowed in small quantites

Small amounts allowed if necessary (not recommended)

Artificial Sweeteners

Exclude

Sweeteners
(other than honey and artificial sweeteners, which are listed separately)

Exclude

Maple syrup allowed

Exclude

Allowed, maple syrup or table sugar in small quantities

Natural sweeteners allowed if necessary (not recommended)

Other

Processed Foods / Preservatives / Artificial Additives

Exclude

Eggs

Allowed

Allowed: encourage omega-3 eggs

Allowed

Allowed (1 per day)

Allowed

Fats/Oils

Most Allowed; No soybean oil, limit processed oils like canola oil

Allowed: Limit oils high in omega-6 and saturated fatsed

Only olive oil and canola oil allowed

Allowed (olive and canola oil preferred)

Allowed (olive and canola preferred)

Cocoa

Exclude

Allowed (only 100% cocoa powder, not Dutch processed)

Allowed

Exclude

Allowed

Coffee

Allowed

Exclude

Allowed, black coffee

Allowed (avoid flavorings)

Alcohol

Some allowed: dry wine, vodka, gin, rye, Scotch, bourbon, whiskey

Some allowed on limited basis: dry wine, vodka, gin, rye, Scotch, bourbon, whiskey per patient tolerance

Exclude

1 cup of wine or beer allowed on weekends

Allowed in small amounts if necessary (not recommended)

Formula (PEN; eg, Boost®, Ensure®, Pediasure®, Modulen IBD®)

Exclude

Exclude: encourage whole food smoothies and supplements

Allowed (recommended)

Allowed

Allowed, but not necessary

Emulsifiers

Exclude

Exclude maltodextrin, carrageenan, polysorbate-80, carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC). Some emulsifiers, such as guar gum, may be protective.

Exclude

Food Table Overview

Overview of generalized similarities (Some diets may be outliers in some categories):

Food Type

General Consensus

Details

Allowed

Seafood/Poultry/Red Meat

Allowed

Allowed on all the therapeutic diets.
CDED- does not recommend red meat, limits poultry to chicken breast in the Induction Phase. All poultry is allowed in the Maintenance Phase, excluding skin. Fresh seafood is allowed after week 6.
IBD-AID- suggests limiting saturated fats.
Tasty&Healthy- excludes red meat in both phases.

Vegetables (nonstarchy)

Allowed

Allowed on all diets. CDED excludes a few specific vegetables.

Fruits

Allowed

Allowed on all diets. CDED excludes a few specific fruits.

Honey

Allowed

Allowed on all diets.
CDED- small quantities
Tasty&Healthy- small amounts if necessary

Mostly Allowed

Fresh Legumes

Mostly Allowed

Allowed on all diets.

Eggs

Mostly Allowed

Allowed on all diets. Limit 1 per day on Tasty&Healthy Induction Phase.

Coffee

Mostly Allowed

Allowed. CDED allows black coffeee in the Maintenance Phase.

Mixed

Dried Legumes

Mixed

SCD and mSCD allow specific dried legumes (soaking required).
IBD-AID- allowed
Tasty&Healthy- allowed

Vegetables (starchy)

Mixed

CDED- allowed
Tasty&Healthy- allowed
IBD-AID- restricts certain starchy vegetables
mSCD- restricts certain starchy vegetables
SCD- excludes starchy vegetables

Nuts

Mixed

Allowed on all diets.
SCD, mSCD, IBD-AID, and Tasty&Healthy allow nuts (nut butters may be easier to digest in early stages/phases).
CDED allows small quantities of walnuts or almonds per day

Seeds

Mixed

Tasty&Healthy- allows all types of seeds
IBD-AID- allows seeds (may need to be pureed in phase I/II).
SCD and mSCD- do not allow flax, chia or hemp.
CDED- does not allow seeds.

Cocoa

Mixed

Allowed on most diets, unsweetened.
mSCD, IBD-AID, the Maintenance Phase of CDED, and Tasty&Healthy- allowed
SCD- excluded

Restricted

Grains

Restricted

Gluten-containing Grains
Wheat- excluded in most diets. CDED allows limited amounts of whole grain, additive-free bread or pasta per day. Tasty&Healthy Maintenance Phase allows small amounts, checking inflammatory markers after 4 weeks of re-introduction.
Barley- IBD-AID allows if not celiac. Tasty&Healthy Maintenance Phase allows small amounts (whole grain, additive-free), checking inflammatory markers after 4 weeks of re-introduction.
Other gluten-containing grains- Tasty&Healthy Maintenance Phase allows small amounts (whole grain, additive-free), checking inflammatory markers after 4 weeks of re-introduction.

Gluten-free Grains
Corn- excluded in most diets. CDED allows corn after week 10. Tasty&Healthy allows whole grain, additive-free in both phases.
Gluten-free Oats- mSCD, IBD-AID, CDED, and Tasty&Healthy (whole grain, additive-free) allow
Rice- mSCD, CDED, and Tasty&Healthy (whole-grain, additive-free) allow
Quinoa- CDED and Tasty&Healthy (whole grain, additive-free) allow. IBD-AID allows if not celiac.

Dairy

Restricted

CDED Induction Phase excludes all dairy. CDED Maintenance Phase allows a limited amount of yogurt per week.
SCD and mSCD allows aged cheese and 24-hour fermented yogurt.
IBD-AID allows yogurt, kefir, aged cheese.
Tasty&Healthy Induction Phase allows plain yogurt without additives (yogurt is a fermented food containing microbes). Tasty&Healthy Maintenance Phase allows all unprocessed dairy, checking for inflammatory markers after 4 weeks of re-introduction.

Sweeteners
(other than honey and artificial sweeteners)

Restricted

mSCD- allows maple syrup
CDED- allows maple syrup and table sugar in small quantities
Tasty&Healthy- recommends avoiding sweeteners ideally, but small amounts may be allowed if necessary

Oils

Restricted

SCD and mSCD- exclude soybean oil.
IBD-AID- limits oils high in saturated fats.
CDED- allows only olive oil and canola oil.
Tasty&Healthy- recommends olive or canola oil.

Alcohol

Restricted

SCD, mSCD, and IBD-AID- allow some forms of alcohol
CDED- allows on weekends in the Maintenance Phase
Tasty&Healthy- recommends avoiding ideally, but small amounts may be allowed if necessary

Excluded

Processed Meat

Excluded

All diets exclude processed meats.

Artificial Sweeteners

Excluded

All diets exclude artificial sweeteners

Processed Foods / Additives / Preservatives

Excluded

All diets exclude processed foods/additives/preservatives.

Characteristics of the Diets

Characteristic

SCD
Final Stage

mSCD
Final Stage

IBD-AID
Final Phase

CDED
Induction Phase

CDED
Maintenance Phase

Tasty&Healthy Induction Phase

Tasty&Healthy Maintenance Phase

Stages/Phases

Intro diet for up to 5 days. No other required stages, although some foods like beans/lentils are advanced. Pecanbread website has suggested stages for those wishing to follow them when symptomatic.

Intro diet for up to 5 days. Typically, strict SCD is done before modified SCD is attempted.

Three phases defined based on level of symptoms: Phase 1: Basics, Phase 2: Introduction of more foods/textures, Phase 3: Remission.

Induction Phase consists of two 6-week phases with a food-list associated with each phase. Induction Phase is followed by the Maintenance Phase.

Maintenance phase is the last phase of the diet and requires 5 contiguous days following the diet as defined, which then can be followed with a max of 2 contiguous days with 2 free meals per week. Free meals can deviate from the diet with some restrictions. Maintenance phase is preceded by the Induction Phase.

Induction Phase consists of 8 weeks with a list of foods to restrict. A variety of foods not on the "restrict" list may be eaten freely, in full flexibility.

Maintenance Phase begins only if remission has been achieved during the Induction Phase. During the Maintenance Phase, gluten can be re-introducted for the first 4 weeks followed by dairy for the next 4 weeks. Inflammatory markers should be tested after each of the 4 weeks. If fecal inflammatory markers increased after one month of exposure, the introduced food should be re-excluded.

Allowed Deviation from Diet

100% strict for first year or two.

100% strict for first year or two

Diet aims for 80% compliance or above, but better results may come with better compliance.

100% strict in the Induction Phase.

In the Maintenance Phase, four free meals a week are allowed, in which other foods can be consumed (with some restrictions).

100% strict in the Induction Phase.

Every four weeks, new food items will be added to your diet, testing inflammatory markers after each addition. During the Maintenance Phase, continue to avoid all packaged and processed foods.

Limits Amounts of Foods

Yes for the new additions (sweet potatoes, rice, oats, cocoa, and maple syrup)

Yes

No except for eggs. Limit 1 egg per day during the Induction Phase.

Mandatory Foods

IBD-AID Essential 8 - mandatory amounts of certain food types should be targeted per day.

Yes

Studied in Children/Adults

Both

Studies of mSCD in Children are still ongoing.

Adults

Both

Studies on Maintenance Phase are in progress.

Both

Studied in Ulcerative Colitis (UC)/Crohn's Disease (CD)

Both

Studies of mSCD for both CD and UC are still ongoing.

Both

CD only

Studies of Maintenance Phase in CD are still ongoing.

Both

Length of Time in Use

Long Time
‍
First described by Dr. Haas in 1924 and expanded and popularized by Elaine Gottschall for more common use in IBD.

First study published in 2014.

New

Still in ongoing study.

Relatively New

First study published in 2014, ongoing studies include one in pregnant women.

Relatively New
‍
First study published in 2014.

New

Studies on the Maintenance Phase are still ongoing.

New

First study published in 2025.

New

Studies are ongoing.

Published Research

SCD Research

Studies on mSCD as it is defined above are still ongoing.

IBD-AID Research

CDED Research

Studies on the Maintenance Phase of CDED are still ongoing.