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A Dietitian’s Tips for Celebrating Passover on the Ketogenic Diet

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Zahava Turner, RD CSP LDN

Zahava Turner, RD, CSP, LDN

We are happy to share today’s guest blog post written by ketogenic dietitian and Keto Ambassador Zahava Turner, RD, CSP, LDN, who shares her tips for families celebrating Passover with a child on the medical ketogenic diet. Thanks, Zahava!

Passover is a Jewish holiday celebrated in the springtime. Any holiday and occasion can be difficult to follow while on a special diet, especially one that revolves around food. However, of all the holidays, Passover might be the easiest to follow while on the medical ketogenic diet because we don’t eat any leavened bread. Many foods or drinks that contain even a trace of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt or their derivatives, and which weren’t guarded from leavening, are excluded during Passover. This includes carb-heavy foods like bread, cake, cookies, cereal, pasta and most alcoholic beverages.

For children on the medical ketogenic diet, a small piece of matzah can be calculated into the meal consisting of chicken or meat and vegetables, which will be very similar to what the rest of the family eats. Of course, the quantities will need to be calculated to work with your child’s diet plan and additional fat will likely be required to meet your ketogenic ratio. If needed, ask your child’s dietitian for help ahead of time so that you don’t have to worry about calculating the recipe on the day of the feast. Almond flour or any nut flour can be used to create dessert recipes, similar to recipes already calculated for the ketogenic diet. Again, ask your dietitian for help if there is a specific dessert recipe that you want to make “keto-friendly”.

With a little extra planning and help from your dietitian, any person following the medical ketogenic diet should have no trouble joining the rest of the family in enjoying all of the Passover festivities.

-Zahava

I have been paid by Nutricia for my time to write this blog post but my opinions are my own. 

The medical ketogenic diet for epilepsy should be used under medical supervision. 

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

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How to Make Valentine’s Day Extra Sweet on the Medical Ketogenic Diet

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We are excited to share today’s guest blog post by ketogenic dietitian and Keto Ambassador Stacey Bessone, RDN, LDN. Thanks for these helpful tips, Stacey!

Being on any diet can be a little tricky on Valentine’s Day.  For some it may be keeping on track for a new year’s resolution.  For people on the medical ketogenic diet for the management of intractable epilepsy, it can be extra complicated.  Candy hearts and boxes of chocolates are everywhere.  Here are a few ideas to make Valentine’s Day extra sweet for your little one.

  1. Nonfood items are always a thoughtful token. Decorating homemade valentines with colored paper and lace are wonderful little ways to say I love you.  They also keep, so you can hang them up and enjoy them for days to come.
  1. Keto friendly treats. Make your own little frosting candies. Prepare a keto frosting, such as this chocolate frosting recipe, then spoon into heart-shaped silicon molds and refrigerate to set.
  1. The same heart-shaped silicon molds can be used to make sugar free gelatin hearts or heart-shaped ice cubes (water and food coloring).
  1. A fancy dinner can be as simple as steak with cream sauce and a bit of veggie with a KetoCal® crème brulee for dessert.
  1. Doing an activity together such as a movie or a bike ride can be healthy and fun without any mention of eating.
  1. Dress up is always fun too. You can dress up and create a fancy restaurant-type atmosphere at home with a waiter.  You can put flowers on the table and use cloth napkins and low lighting.  Kids think it is a treat and usually love to be the servers!

These are just a few tips to get you thinking about Valentine’s Day the keto way.  There are plenty of fun things to do and make to make someone feel special- even if they are on the ketogenic diet.

For more information, see “Tips and Recipes for Making Valentine’s Day Fun for Your Keto Kid”.

I was paid for my time to write this blog post, however, my opinions are my own.

KetoCal is a medical food for the dietary management of intractable epilepsy and is intended for use under medical supervision.

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Christmas on the Ketogenic Diet: Blog Roundup

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Christmas

Christmas is just over a week away! As you know, when you have a child on the ketogenic diet, party and meal planning takes a little extra time. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of blog posts with tips and recipe ideas for celebrating the holidays with a child on the ketogenic diet.

Do you know of any other useful blog posts or articles about celebrating the holidays on the ketogenic diet? Please let us know so that we can add it to the list! Also, please share your own tips for other parents in the comment section below.

We hope that your family has a very merry Christmas and happy holiday season!

Tips for Managing Your Child’s Ketogenic Diet over the Holidays (KetoConnect guest blogger)

KetoCal Christmas Recipe Ideas (KetoConnect)

A Keto Mom’s Tips for Managing the Holidays on the Ketogenic Diet (KetoConnect guest blogger)

Winter Holidays on the Ketogenic Diet (Epilepsy Foundation)

Holiday Baking (KetoCook)

Keto Gingerbread House & Gingerbread Men (KetoCook)

Although Hanukkah has already passed for 2015, we also have some tips and recipe ideas for families celebrating Hanukkah on the ketogenic diet in case you missed them.

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