Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
Ketogenic Diet Therapy - Frequently Asked Questions
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Will I gain weight from eating so much fat?
On this diet, the amount of food is carefully calculated so that you will eat all the calories you need for good health but
you will not gain weight. The fat content of the food will not affect your weight because your total calories will be limited.
If you desire to lose weight, that can be worked out with a nutritionist as you are working on the diet.
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Do I need to finish all of my food?
You must finish all of your food, because the meal is put together in amounts that will give you the right balance of fat,
protein, and carbohydrate. If that is not all eaten, the balance is lost and you may have a seizure.
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Will taking prescriptions or other medicines affect the diet?
All medicines and pharmaceuticals from toothpaste to cough syrup to vitamins to prescription drugs must be free of sugar and
other carbohydrates. You need to remind your physician to prescribe all needed medications in sugar-free and carbohydrate-free
form. Read labels carefully and check with your pharmacist. While you are on the diet, you will be given supplements for a
multivitamin, Nutraphos, calcium, and selenium.
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Does the diet cause a problem with high cholesterol?
When adults are switched from a normal diet to a 80% fat diet, both cholesterol and triglyceride levels may increase. Your
lipid levels will be checked on a regular basis while on the diet and if needed adjustments can be made to try to control
your cholesterol and triglycerides levels.
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What can I eat when I am away from home?
Your dietician can help plan meals while traveling. Patients often pack their own meals in a cooler. Tuna, egg, or chicken
salads are easy to carry in small containers.
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What about special holidays like birthdays and Thanksgiving?
The dietician will be able to give you special recipes to make festive foods while allowing you to stay on the diet.
