Ketogenic diet facts for kids
A ketogenic diet is a special way of eating. It means you get most of your energy from fats. You eat only a small amount of carbohydrates. This diet makes your body burn fat for energy instead of carbs.
Normally, your body changes the carbohydrates you eat into glucose. Glucose is like fuel for your body and brain. But if you don't eat many carbs, your body has a plan B! It starts burning fat instead. Your liver can use fat you've stored or fat from your food. This fat breaks down into two parts: fatty acids and ketone bodies. These ketone bodies then power your brain. When you have a lot of ketone bodies in your blood, it's called "Ketosis".
Contents
What You Eat on a Ketogenic Diet
On a regular ketogenic diet, you eat much more fat than protein. You also eat very few carbohydrates each day. This means you avoid foods made from starch or sugar.
Foods to Limit
Foods high in carbohydrates include:
- Fruits
- Bread
- Pasta
- Grains
- Cookies
- Ice cream
Foods to Eat More Of
You need to eat more fatty foods like:
- Oils
- Butter
- Fatty meats
It's also important not to eat too much protein. You should eat just enough protein to keep your muscles strong. Eating too much protein can lower the ketone bodies in your blood. This can stop your body from burning fat.
Why People Use a Ketogenic Diet
A ketogenic diet can help many people lose weight. It is also very good for helping to stop seizures, especially in children. The Atkins Diet is a popular diet that is similar to the ketogenic diet.
Health Benefits and Research
Scientists are still studying ketogenic diets. We don't have as much information about them as we do for other diets. Compared to the diet the American government suggests, a ketogenic diet has much more fat and fewer carbohydrates. Some people believe this way of eating is healthier. They think it's better because you eat less sugar. Also, the fat you eat can be used for energy right away. This means it might not be stored as body fat.
The ketogenic diet has been studied for other brain and nerve problems too. Some of these include:
- Alzheimer's disease
- ALS (a nerve disease)
- Autism
- Brain cancer
- Headaches
- Brain injuries
- Pain
- Parkinson's disease
- Sleep disorders
Starting the Diet Safely
Hospitals like Johns Hopkins have a special way to start the ketogenic diet. It usually involves talking with doctors and caregivers first. Then, a short stay in the hospital might be needed. Starting this diet can sometimes cause problems. Because of this, most places begin the diet with close medical help in a hospital. This makes sure you are safe and well looked after.
Images for kids
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A news report from 1922 about Dr. Hugh Conklin's "water diet" treatment.
See also
In Spanish: Dieta cetogénica para niños
