fiber

The Benefits of Using KetoCal® 4:1 Once Per Day

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KetoCal 4-1 productsThe ketogenic diet can help manage seizures in patients with refractory epilepsy. In fact, research shows that just over half of children on the ketogenic diet will have 50% or more improvement in seizures, about 1/3 of children will have over 90% improvement in seizures and about 10-15% will become seizure-free. While it can be helpful with seizure management, being on the ketogenic diet can be challenging at times. In today’s blog post, I will tell you a little about how KetoCal can be a helpful addition to the ketogenic diet.

KetoCal Everyday Convenience

If you have a child on the ketogenic diet, I don’t have to tell you that it can be challenging to plan for keto meals or snacks while running errands, traveling, or going to after-school activities. Using KetoCal once per day can help provide everyday convenience when you are on-the-go. KetoCal® LQ is ready-to-drink and provides a simple and nutritious solution for busy schedules. It also tastes great! (Request a sample to taste it for yourself!)

KetoCal for Nutritional Reassurance

As a busy mom and dietitian, I know a little about the struggle to find meals and snacks that are easy AND nutritious. KetoCal was designed to be both! Using KetoCal® 4:1 once per day is not only convenient, but can also help fill nutrient gaps in the ketogenic diet. Unlike heavy cream (a popular milk substitute with the ketogenic diet)*, one serving of KetoCal 4:1 (356 calories) provides:

  • An excellent source of calcium and vitamin D, two nutrients that are important for bone health
  • Fiber to promote gut health
  • DHA, an Omega-3 fatty acid that plays a role in brain and eye health
  • 4 times LESS saturated fat when compared to heavy cream!

There are multiple ways to incorporate KetoCal 4:1 into your daily routine. You can drink it once per day or use it in everyday recipes. KetoCal 4:1 is available as a powder (great for baking!) or as a ready-to-drink liquid (convenient while on-the-go). Work with your dietitian or visit www.myketoplanner.com to find tasty recipes using KetoCal 4:1.

–Ellen Avery, MS, RD
Medical Advisor, Ketogenics
Nutricia North America

KetoCal is a medical food for the dietary management of intractable epilepsy and is intended for use under medical supervision. Talk with your healthcare provider about whether KetoCal is right for you. 

*Comparing an equal amount of calories from heavy cream.

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Fiber and the Ketogenic Diet for Epilepsy

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By Ellen Sviland Avery, MS, RD, LD, CNSC

As many of you know, the ketogenic diet is a very high fat, moderate protein and low carbohydrate diet. Since carbohydrates are limited, this can also limit an important nutrient in the diet: fiber. In today’s KetoConnect post, registered dietitian Ellen Sviland Avery answers your questions about fiber and why it’s important for children on the ketogenic diet for epilepsy.

Why is fiber important?

Fiber is important in a healthy diet to maintain gut health.  It is recommended that children older than 2 years of age consume a minimum amount of dietary fiber equivalent to their age plus 5 grams of fiber per day. For example, a 4-year old child should consume at least 9 g of fiber per day (4+5=9). A safe range of dietary fiber intake for children is suggested to be their age plus between 5-10 grams of fiber per day. 1 Research has also shown that up to 55% of children don’t meet fiber needs with an oral diet. 2,3

How does this affect my child on the ketogenic diet?

As previously stated, fiber may be limited in the ketogenic diet. Fiber is primarily found in fruits, vegetables and grain products. Due to the low carbohydrate intake of the ketogenic diet, these foods are typically consumed in small quantities, limiting the amount of fiber consumed. Because of the lack of fiber and bulk in the diet, constipation is a common side effect. 4,5 Gastrointestinal symptoms, especially constipation, are seen in ¾ of all ketogenic diet patients.6

So how do I improve these side effects?

To help prevent or alleviate constipation with the ketogenic diet, talk to your child’s doctor or dietitian to ensure your child is receiving adequate fiber and fluid. Speak with the dietitian about foods that may be higher in fiber that will fit in your child’s ketogenic ratio. Sometimes just increasing the amount of fiber consumed by small amounts will help with constipation. If needed, the doctor or dietitian may also prescribe a fiber supplement or even a carbohydrate-free laxative. Do not give your child any laxative without first consulting with the medical team.

How can KetoCal help with fiber needs?

KetoCal 4:1 contains fiber to help meet your child’s fiber needs while on the ketogenic diet. One drink box of KetoCal 4:1 LQ contains 2.6 g fiber. The great thing about the fiber found in KetoCal is that it comes from a patented blend of six different types of fibers, rather than just one type. This helps to better resemble the blend of fiber one would get from eating a healthy diet. Talk to your dietitian to see how KetoCal fits into your child’s meal plan!

-Ellen

  1. Williams CL, Bollella M, Wynder EL. A new recommendation for dietary fiber in childhood. Pediatrics. 1995;96(5 Pt 2):985-8.
  2. Butte NF, Fox MK, Briefel RR, et al. Nutrient Intakes of US Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers Meet or Exceed Dietary Reference Intakes. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2012;110(12):S27-s37.
  3. Hampl JS, Betts NM, Benes BA. The ‘age+5’ rule: comparisons of dietary fiber intake among 4- to 10-year-old children. J Am Diet Assoc. 1998;98(12):1418-23.
  4. Dahl WJ, Niebergall EJ, Owen RJ. Implications of fiber inadequacy in the ketogenic diet: a case study. ICAN: Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition. 2011;3(5):3.
  5. Kossoff EH, Zupec-Kania BA, Amark PE, et al. Optimal clinical management of children receiving the ketogenic diet: recommendations of the International Ketogenic Diet Study Group. Epilepsia. 2009;50(2):304-17.
  6. Bergqvist AG. Long-term monitoring of the ketogenic diet: Do’s and Don’ts. Epilepsy Res. 2012;100(3):261-6.
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