Is Keto Diet Safe For Children And Teens? Things You Should Know

The ketogenic or keto diet is a tailored diet regimen comprising low carbohydrate, moderate protein, and high fat intake (1). The diet was first used in the 1920s to manage intractable epilepsy and, later on, some other health conditions, like diabetes and cancer. More recently, its use as a fad diet has gained momentum, attracting older children and teens looking for weight loss solutions. But is a ketogenic diet safe for healthy children and teens?

In this post, we tell you about the ketogenic diet for children and teens, its possible uses, side effects, and more.

 How Does Ketogenic Diet Work?

A ketogenic diet is a form of a low-carbohydrate diet where most calories come from fat. Carbohydrate intake is reduced to as low as 20 to 50 grams per day (2), while dietary fat is increased by about four grams of fat consumed for every gram of carbohydrate and protein. Thus, almost 90% of calories in a ketogenic diet come from fat (3).

The diet mimics fasting since the body has inadequate glucose, the primary source of energy derived from carbohydrates. Therefore, the body enters ketosis, a state where it uses fat to synthesize ketones, the compounds which become the primary source of energy for the body (4).

The use of ketones for energy alters the body’s metabolism and leads to changes, such as a decrease in insulin levels and fat storage. Some other changes that can be noticed include a reduction in seizures, body weight, and blood sugar.

Is Keto Diet Safe For Children And Teens?

The keto diet is safe for children and teens when prescribed by a doctor for medical reasons. A normal, healthy child/teen needs about 130 grams of carbohydrates per day through foods from different food groups (5). However, in the keto diet, carbohydrate intake is reduced to approximately 10-20% of the total calorie intake.

Foods rich in carbohydrates are also sources of other essential nutrients. Therefore, a keto diet not supervised by a doctor may increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies in children.

Discuss the diet with your doctor first before using it to control your child’s epilepsy. For ketosis, the diet typically starts in an in-patient setup where the child’s diet is changed gradually under strict monitoring. It ensures that the child adjusts to their new diet safely, and meanwhile, the families also carefully understand the dietary requirements (6). 

What Are The Uses Of The Keto Diet For Children?

Keto diet for children is primarily used for the treatment of epilepsy since the diet has been scientifically proven effective against this condition (7) (8). The diet may be used in conjunction with medicines or used as primary treatment, like in cases of refractory epilepsy, a severe form of epilepsy where seizures cannot be managed with antiepileptic drugs (9).

The following are some salient points about the use of keto diet to treat epilepsy in children.

• In cases of refractory epilepsy, a ketogenic diet can be a more effective treatment option than administering a new medication (3).

• Ketogenic diet could be considered when antiepileptic drugs have side effects that outweigh the benefits.

• Children with epilepsy may display a reduction in the frequency of seizures while on a ketogenic diet (10).

• Research shows that about two-thirds of children following a ketogenic diet have more than 50% reduction in seizures (6). About 25% of these children have a chance of becoming seizure-free.

• If the child shows signs of improvement due to a keto diet, then the doctor may reduce antiepileptic medications, thus minimizing the side effects experienced by the child.

• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), several epilepsy syndromes, like Dravet syndrome, Doose syndrome, Rett syndrome, GLUT-1 (glucose transporter type-1) deficiency, and tuberous sclerosis complex, often respond positively to a ketogenic diet (7) (11).

Furthermore, several clinical studies support using the keto diet as a subsidiary cancer therapy ((12). However, targeted studies are needed to validate the recommendation.

It is not known if a keto diet for children is helpful beyond treating epilepsy. There is no long-term research analyzing the effects of the diet on conditions such as overweight and type 2 diabetes (8). If your child does not have epilepsy and you want them to try the diet for weight loss or other reasons, then consult a pediatrician first.

For How Long Can Children Follow Ketogenic Diet?

The recommended duration for adherence to keto diet varies as per the case of epilepsy. If the diet shows effectiveness, then the doctor may recommend discontinuing the diet after two years of seizure control (6). Children and teens with fewer changes in their condition may have to continue the diet for several years.

In some cases, with improvement, the use of a modified Atkins diet may be allowed.Modified Atkins diet is a less restrictive variation of the ketogenic diet with flexible nutrient intake. 

What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Keto Diet?

Some of the common side effects that you may observe in children and teens following the keto diet are (11) (13) ((14):

1. Dehydration
2. Gastrointestinal issues, like nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
3. Fat intolerance and gastritis
4. Electrolyte imbalance and acidosis
5. Mood changes, hyperactivity, and irritability
6. Micronutrient deficiencies, such as iron-deficiency anemia

Some severe side effects of keto diet may include:

7. High cholesterol
8. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
9. Kidney stones
10. Poor bone health

Some of the side effects, like dehydration, can be managed by monitoring the hydration levels of children and teens, while some others, like mood changes, may subside with time and adjustment with the diet.

Doctors can reduce the side effects through an appropriate adjustment to the diet and supplementation. Following the keto diet under strict pediatric guidance could minimize the overall risk of any adverse effects.

How To Help A Child Follow The Keto Diet?

Keto diet involves several dietary restrictions that can be difficult for children and teens to manage. Therefore, parental involvement plays an essential role.

Parents can take some steps to help their child/teen adjust to their new diet with ease (13).

1. Divide the daily meal plan into three meals and two snacks. Each meal should have a small portion size as the food is high-fat.

2. Restrict eating any other foods outside the meal plan.

3. Keep all the foods that your child is restricted to eat away from their reach, and provide them with healthy, keto-friendly snack options.

4. Avoid eating carbohydrate-rich foods, like potato chips, bread, rice, and pasta, in front of your child/teen, as it may lead to cravings.

5. Maintain regular follow-ups with the doctor and dietitian/nutritionist, and discuss your child’s dietary issues.

6. Prepare meals that look tempting and colorful. It motivates children/teens to eat happily. Look for keto-friendly foods options to maintain variety while keeping the carbohydrate intake low.

7. Ensure family support to a child for keeping them motivated to follow the diet.

8. Young children going to kindergarten, school, or social events should carry their meals with them.

9. Teachers, educators, and caregivers must be informed about your child’s special dietary requirements to avoid ingestion of food outside the meal plan.

The ketogenic diet is one of the oldest therapeutic diets recommended for children and teens with epilepsy. Strict dietary recommendations and close medical monitoring are essential to enhance the diet’s effectiveness and alleviate side effects. It is inadvisable to use the keto diet for healthy children and teens to avoid unwanted metabolic changes that can lead to growth and development problems.

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