Marilyn Alm – Board Member, Advocate, and Culinary Innovator in the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)

Marilyn Alm holds a B.A. in Psychology and Special Education, as well as an M.Ed. in Learning Disabilities. After two years in the public school system, she transitioned to individual tutoring, driven by a passion for personalized education and a frustration with bureaucratic constraints.

Though Marilyn does not have a formal diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, IBD, or IBS—confirmed by multiple medical professionals—her personal health journey led her to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD). Despite maintaining what appeared to be a well-balanced diet, she struggled with persistent weight gain, urgency, and soft stools for 25 years—symptoms she later realized were indicative of undiagnosed IBS.

Marilyn’s introduction to dietary modification began with her dachshunds. In 1998, she and her late husband, Harry, welcomed two long-haired red dachshunds, Shadow and Sunny. Determined to provide them with the highest-quality nutrition, they followed veterinary recommendations for premium kibble. However, despite careful portion control, both dogs became overweight—mirroring Marilyn’s own struggles. Frustrated by conventional advice, she sought guidance from a holistic veterinarian, who introduced her to species-appropriate diets. Transitioning the dachshunds to a grain-free diet led to significant health improvements, sparking Marilyn’s curiosity about grain-free diets for humans.

In 2001, Marilyn and Harry attended a seminar by Dr. Ian Billinghurst, a leading advocate of the bones and raw food diet for pets. Dr. Billinghurst noted that while he could not prescribe for humans, he believed people required grains in similarly minimal amounts as dogs. Inspired by his insights, Marilyn began researching grain-free nutrition and ultimately discovered the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.

Reading Breaking the Vicious Cycle provided her with a new understanding of her body’s reactions to food. Unlike many restrictive diets, SCD offered the possibility of enjoying real, flavorful meals without relying on artificial substitutes. However, she quickly realized that preparing nutrient-dense, unprocessed meals required time, planning, and culinary skills—challenges she was determined to overcome.

Recognizing the need for community support, Marilyn took an active role in fostering online resources for SCD followers. When the original Long Island List—an early online SCD group—ceased operation, she established and moderated the BTVC-SCD Yahoo Group for over a decade. With an engaged membership, the forum often saw as many as 3,000 messages per month. Marilyn dedicated herself to guiding members through the complexities of SCD, even assisting individuals with recipe adaptations during holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.

An innovative home cook, Marilyn has developed numerous SCD-compliant recipes, from zucchini cheese sauce to Creole mustard, homemade hot dogs, and nut-free crisps. She is particularly known for her spice blends and her "Mockalate Cake," a beloved SCD dessert. While she prioritizes efficiency in the kitchen, she remains committed to recipe development, ensuring that others can enjoy delicious, SCD-compliant meals without feeling deprived.

Following the passing of her husband in 2022, Marilyn simplified her meal preparation but continues to refine her approach to SCD cooking. Her current dachshunds, Qi and Lily, enthusiastically support her culinary endeavors, believing that all SCD meals should be shared with them. With the recent expansion of her kitchen, she is now reorganizing her tools and ingredients to streamline her cooking process.

Marilyn’s dedication to the SCD community is evident in her willingness to educate, support, and inspire others. Her journey exemplifies the power of dietary intervention, persistence, and a passion for real food.