Is cheese allowed on a SCD diet? A Comprehensive Guide to Legal Dairy

October 16, 2025 •

4 min read

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is a restrictive dietary regimen developed to help manage conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. For individuals adopting this strict eating plan, understanding the rules around dairy can be particularly challenging. The common question of is cheese allowed on a SCD diet? has a nuanced answer based on fermentation and aging.

Quick Summary

Aged, hard cheeses are permitted on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet because the aging process eliminates most of the lactose. Soft, processed, and un-aged cheeses are prohibited due to their higher lactose content and the presence of illegal additives.

Key Points

Aged is Key: Only hard, aged cheeses, typically fermented for at least 30 days, are permitted on the SCD diet because the aging process eliminates most of the lactose.
Check for Additives: Processed cheeses and pre-shredded or pre-sliced cheeses often contain illegal starches and anti-clumping agents that are forbidden on the SCD.
Look for Block Cheese: To ensure no prohibited additives are present, it is recommended to buy cheese in a solid block and grate it at home.
Dry Curd Cottage Cheese is an Exception: Among softer dairy options, dry curd cottage cheese (DCCC) is permitted, unlike other soft cheeses.
Understand the 'Why': The reason for restricting most dairy is the presence of lactose (a disaccharide), which feeds problematic gut bacteria; aged cheeses are low in or free of lactose.
Read All Labels: Carefully inspect ingredient lists, even on seemingly simple cheese products, to avoid hidden illegal ingredients.

The Science of Carbohydrates and the SCD

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is not based on general notions of “healthy eating” but rather on a specific biochemical theory. The central idea, popularized by Elaine Gottschall in her book Breaking the Vicious Cycle, is that difficult-to-digest carbohydrates (disaccharides and polysaccharides) feed harmful bacteria and yeast in the gut. These microorganisms can damage the intestinal wall, leading to malabsorption and other gastrointestinal issues. By removing these complex carbohydrates from the diet, the SCD aims to starve out the problematic gut flora and allow the intestinal lining to heal.

Dairy products are often a point of confusion on the SCD because they contain lactose, a disaccharide (double sugar). Since disaccharides are forbidden, many dairy products are excluded. The exception lies in fermented and aged products, where the natural fermentation process is used to break down the lactose into simpler, more easily digestible monosaccharides.

The Fermentation and Aging Process

For cheese to be SCD-legal, it must undergo a specific aging process that ensures the lactose is fully consumed by bacteria. This process is the key determinant for whether a cheese is allowed. The longer a cheese is aged, the more time bacteria have to break down the lactose, resulting in a lactose-free product.

Aged at least 30 days: This is the minimum requirement for many hard cheeses, which ensures that a significant amount of lactose has been digested.
Raw or unpasteurized cheeses: In the US, the FDA requires raw-milk cheeses to be aged for a minimum of 60 days, which helps meet the SCD aging requirement.
Block Form Only: To prevent illegal additives, SCD followers are advised to only purchase cheese in solid blocks and grate it themselves. Pre-shredded and pre-sliced cheeses often contain starches and anti-clumping agents that are prohibited.

Allowed and Prohibited Cheeses

This distinction between aged and un-aged cheese leads to a clear separation of which cheeses are permitted on the SCD and which are not.

SCD-Legal Cheeses

Hard Cheeses: These are typically aged for a long time and include sharp cheddar, Swiss, Colby, Parmesan, Romano, Monterey Jack, Havarti, and Cotija.
Dry Curd Cottage Cheese: This is a unique exception and is permitted on the diet. It’s important to find brands without illegal additives like milk solids or stabilizers.
Other Aged Cheeses: Some varieties of Brie, Camembert, Gorgonzola, and Muenster may be legal if aged for the appropriate time, but require careful label checking.

SCD-Illegal Cheeses

Soft Cheeses: This includes most soft, un-aged, or younger cheeses such as ricotta, feta, cream cheese, mozzarella, and standard cottage cheese.
Processed Cheese: Any processed cheese, including American cheese slices, spreadable cheese, or jarred cheese sauces, are strictly forbidden due to additives.
Pre-Shredded and Pre-Sliced Cheese: As mentioned, these often contain starches like potato starch that are not allowed on the diet.

Comparison Table: SCD Legal vs. Illegal Cheese


Feature	SCD Legal Cheese	SCD Illegal Cheese
Aging Period	Aged at least 30 days (often more).	Typically un-aged or young.
Lactose Content	Low to none, as lactose is broken down by fermentation.	High lactose content, difficult for damaged guts to process.
Texture	Generally hard or semi-hard.	Soft, creamy, or processed.
Form	Should be purchased in a solid block to avoid additives.	Often pre-shredded, sliced, or jarred.
Examples	Sharp Cheddar, Swiss, Colby, Dry Curd Cottage Cheese.	Ricotta, Mozzarella, Feta, Cream Cheese, Processed Singles.
Key Constraint	Must be free of illegal additives.	Prohibited if it contains illegal starches, sugars, or preservatives.

Making the Right Choice

Navigating the cheese aisle while on the SCD can be tricky, but attention to detail makes all the difference. Always check the ingredients list for starches, sugars, and additives. Purchasing cheese from a reputable source, like a deli counter where you can confirm the aging period, can be a great option. For those wanting maximum control, some people choose to make their own 24-hour fermented homemade yogurt, which is also a legal dairy option on the SCD.

Conclusion

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet does allow for the inclusion of cheese, but only under very specific conditions. The crucial factor is the aging process, which must be long enough to eliminate the lactose content. Hard cheeses like aged cheddar, Swiss, and Colby are often safe, provided they are free of any non-compliant additives. By understanding the underlying principles and paying close attention to labels, those on the SCD can safely enjoy certain types of cheese as part of their healing diet. While the diet is restrictive, it is not without options for enjoying familiar foods like cheese.

For more detailed information on the diet's principles and guidelines, the official website for Breaking the Vicious Cycle is an authoritative resource.

This information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any dietary changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary reason is the aging process. As cheese ages, the beneficial bacteria consume the lactose (a double sugar), which is prohibited on the SCD. Hard, aged cheeses contain little to no lactose, making them safe for consumption.

Soft cheeses are typically young and have not been aged long enough for their lactose content to be eliminated. They contain significant amounts of lactose and are therefore prohibited on the SCD.

No, store-bought shredded cheese is not allowed. It commonly contains anti-caking agents, such as potato starch or cellulose, which are illegal on the SCD.

Dry curd cottage cheese (DCCC) is a specific type of cottage cheese with almost all the whey (which contains lactose) removed, making it a legal dairy option. Regular cottage cheese contains higher levels of lactose and is not allowed.

Yes, many SCD guidelines suggest choosing cheeses aged for at least 30 days. In the case of raw milk cheeses, FDA regulations require a minimum of 60 days of aging, which satisfies the SCD requirement.

Yes, Parmesan is a hard, aged cheese that is typically allowed on the SCD. As with any cheese, it is best to buy it in a block and grate it yourself to ensure no additives have been included.

While homemade SCD-legal cheese can be complex, many followers of the diet make their own homemade 24-hour fermented yogurt. This process also eliminates lactose and provides a safe dairy option.