Indian Diet plan for Epilepsy (High Fat Ketogenic Diet Chart For Seizures in Epilepsy)
Ketogenic diet is a major breakthrough for epilepsy treatment. Epilepsy is a condition where an individual suffers from frequent seizures. It can affect people of all ages. It is a chronic disorder which can be reversed within few years with use of antiepileptic drugs and ketogenic diet. Certain people might have to continue antiepileptic medication for lifetime. For extreme cases a surgery is recommended, whereas most cases can be managed well with drugs and ketogenic diets. This Indian diet plan for epilepsy is a high fat ketogenic diet chart for seizures in epilepsy will come as a handy guide.
All About Epilepsy
Before we move on to the Indian diet plan for epilepsy (High fat ketogenic diet chart for seizures in epilepsy), let us first understand the basics about epilepsy.
What is Epilepsy?
More than 1 seizure without any trigger in at least 24 hours is diagnosed as epilepsy.
Symptoms of Epilepsy:
- Staring constantly.
- Muscle stiffness.
- Uncontrolled jerking movements of limbs.
- Temporary confusion.
- Unaware about the surrounding for a brief period.
- Loss of consciousness, as well as,
- Cluster of fear, anxiety and dejavu effect.
Causes of Epilepsy:
- Age: It is very common in children, however it can also occur at any age.
- Family history: Some types of seizures run in the family. It needs certain environmental trigger for genes to initiate epileptic episodes.
- Prenatal injury: Some pre natal injury to foetal brain because of infection in mother, nutrient deficiency as well as lack of oxygen.
- Developmental disorders: Autism can cause epileptic episodes.
- Head injury: Any history of either accidents or traumatic injury can cause epilepsy.
- Infections: Severe viral, meningitis, HIV, as well as some parasitic infections can cause epilepsy.
- Brain abnormalities: Abnormalities like cancer, tumour as well as stroke can cause epilepsy.
Treatment of epilepsy:
- Medication: Either anti-convulsive or anti-epileptic drugs are used.
- Starving: Starving helps to keep epilepsy episodes in control. During fasting the body breaks down fats to produce ketones for fuel. These ketones help to reduce the epileptic episodes. This is how a ketogenic diet was introduced in the first place. Ketogenic diet is high in fats, moderate in proteins as well as very low in carbohydrates.
- Ketogenic diet plan for beginner.
High Fat Ketogenic Diet Chart For Seizures in Epilepsy
Ketogenic diet consists of high fat, moderate protein as well as low carbohydrate component. It has restricted amount of calories as well as fluid. The diet is designed in such a way that the body is pushed to use fats as the source of fuel. When fat breaks down, it produces ketone bodies. These ketones are used as fuel.
The ratio of fat to protein plus carbohydrate has to be 4: 1. The calories of fats are four times than the calories from proteins and carbohydrates combined. The fluid intake is dependent on the fluid output of the child or an adult.
How to start with ketogenic diet?
You cannot just start a ketogenic diet. You need to follow certain protocol for ketogenic diet. This process might take a few days to commence. An individual has to usually fast the day and night before starting the diet. This is to gradually set our body for the drastic diet change. The person might feel tired or lack of energy during the first few days.
Kids are usually admitted to hospital for this process to keep them under observation. You need a constant supervision from doctors, dieticians as well as the helping staff to follow ketogenic diet. If the diet successfully reduces the seizures then within 2 or 3 years the child can be weaned from the ketogenic diet to normal diet.
Drawbacks of the ketogenic diet:
- High fat has palatability issue.
- Preparing ketogenic diet is little troublesome. You need appropriate utensils, skill to measure the food eaten as well as art to cook for increasing food’s palatability.
- High fat can not only lead to diarrhoea, nausea, heartburn, but also vomitting.
- Increases total blood cholesterol levels in long run.
- Slower growth rate compared to normal kids.
- Certain nutrient deficiencies.
- All about Keto Flu.
- 10 signs of ketosis.
- keto diet plan for begginners.
Indian Diet plan for Epilepsy (High Fat Ketogenic Diet Chart For Seizures in Epilepsy)
List of Allowed Foods
Ketogenic diet is a very strict diet. Limited foods that are permissible. Every ingredient including salt is measured before using it. Ketogenic diet food list.
- Fats: Only medium chain triglycerides are allowed. Include coconut oil, MCT oil (liquid or powder) as well as ghee.
- Carbohydrates: A limited amount of fruits and vegetables are included in the list. Carbohydrates in the vegetables are also taken into account and calculated. Only 5 to 10 gms of total carbohydrates are recommended. The kid can consume any vegetables or fruits that come within the permissible carbohydrate range. Cereals and pulses are completly avoided in the initial stage of the diet.
- Proteins: First class protein along with plant proteins are necessary for the growth and development of the kid. For an adult it is needed for the maintenance and repair of the body cells. Include cream, paneer, cheese, mushrooms, chicken, egg as well as fish.
- Vitamins and minerals: Ketogenic diet restricts the intake of fruits and vegetables. Thus the micronutrients should be provided via supplements. Keep a check on the calcium, vit D, vit A as well as vit C.
Follow ups during High Fat Ketogenic Diet Chart For Seizures in Epilepsy
Patient has to be in constant touch with the doctor and the dietician. Regular visits to doctors every 3 months are must. Maintain a diary to keep a note of the food eaten, number of seizures as well as any other abnormality observed. Care has to be taken so the kid or and individual doesn’t slip into acidosis or coma. The diet can lead to weight loss of an individual along with high lipoprotein levels as well as high total cholesterol levels. Check the biochemical parameters regularly according to the doctor’s advice.
Indian Diet plan for Epilepsy
Here is a Sample diet for Indian diet plan for epilepsy. It provides 900 kcal. There are three meal plan with ratio of 4: 1 – fats to carbohydrates plus proteins.
- Fats – 80 gms
- Protein – 35 gms
- Carbohydrates – 10 gms
Breakfast: Paneer tikka with cream dressing.
Lunch: 2 half – Devilled egg with avocado as well as mushroom filling.
Dinner: Zoodles / Cauli rice with Chicken broth.
If you are looking for vegetarian keto recipe options , please see :
End note:
Ketogenic diet is a modified clinical diet. The ketones released through this diet helps control the number of seizures. It is a complicated diet which has to be strictly followed under the supervision of the certified professional. The diet takes 2 to 3 weeks to show some effect on the seizures. Hope this Indian Diet plan for Epilepsy (High Fat Ketogenic Diet Chart For Seizures in Epilepsy) helps you in forming your base for the same. To get a personalized keto diet plan, email us at care@dietburrp.com.