Following dietary therapy can be challenging. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet has evolved over the years since Dr. Sydney Haas first reported on it. Since then we have learned much but there is still much more for us to learn. Below are foods that are allowed (legal) and foods that are not allowed (illegal) based off of Dr. Sydney Haas's initial description of the diet and Elaine Gottschal's Breaking the Vicious Cycle and our current research. In addition this food list includes up to date evidence based information on current research in foods.
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| Type of Food | SCD Approval | Explanation | NiMBAL Research |
| Fava beans | Illegal | Also known as the broad bean. | Broad beans cause intestinal inflammation equivalent to IBD in an animal model by increasing the abundance of Gram-negative bacteria. |
| Fenugreek | Illegal | Depending on its preparation, can be served as an herb, spice, or vegetable. Common in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. | According to this review, fenugreek has a variety of anti-inflammatory properties helpful towards those with IBD. More research needs to be done concerning fenugreek and IBD. |
| Feta cheese | Illegal | Feta may be eaten in small amounts after clinical/laboratory remission. While feta is lactose-free, it may be stored in milk. | Feta cheese is recommended for patients in remission as a source of general nutrition. |
| Figs | Legal | A fruit, eaten fresh or dried. | No studies have been conducted studying the effects of the fig fruit on IBD. However, figs contain many beneficial compounds such as vitamins and anti-inflammatory polyphenols according to this review. |
| Filberts (hazelnuts) | Legal | Nuts should only be used as nut flour, in recipes, until diarrhea has subsided. Make sure there is no starch coating on the nuts. Starch coating is often added to mixed nut packaging. |
Frequent nut consumption is associated with a healthy profile of inflammatory biomarkers. |
| Fish | Legal | Fresh and frozen are allowed if nothing has been added during processing; read labels carefully. | Fish are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 fatty acids, which increase bacteria responsible for producing SCFAs (the Lachnospiraceae family) according to this study. |
| Flaxseed | Illegal | High in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. | Flaxseed contains a high amount of fiber. This can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria which worsens IBD, especially during flares. However, this review lists multiple studies in which dietary fiber ameliorated IBD in animal models. |
| Flaxseed oil | Legal | Flaxseed oil is a great way to get the benefits of flaxseed without the fiber. | Omega-3 fatty acids are shown in this review to decrease inflammation in the intestine. |
| Flour | Illegal | Flour contains gluten. | This cross-sectional study showed that a gluten-free diet reduced clinical symptoms in patients with IBD. |
| FOS | Illegal | Also known as fructooligosaccharides. | Complex carbohydrates act as food for bacteria, leading to excessive fermentation and intestinal permeability. |
| Fowl | Legal | All types including turkey, chicken, duck, goose, pheasant, pigeon etc. | Fowl are high in the amino acid tryptophan. In addition to being a dietary sleep aid, tryptophan is an important component of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which reduces levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. |
| Fructose (granulated) | Illegal | Granulated fructose will contain other complex carbohydrates, making it illegal. | Complex carbohydrates act as food for bacteria, leading to excessive fermentation and intestinal permeability. Also, consumption of high concentrations of fructose can lead to fructose malabsorption, worsening IBD symptoms as well as inflammation. |
| Fruits | Legal | Fresh and frozen fruits are legal on the SCD. Fruits canned in their own juice are also allowed if no illegal additives are added. | An epidemiological study found an association between intake of fruit and lowered risk for CD. |
