Accurate and reliable measuring scales are essential with 1 gram increments and an AC adaptor. Cheaper scales and ones without AC power adaptors tend to be unreliable for accurate measuring. An affordable, accurate and reliable scale can be obtained through "Southern Scales" on (03) 9587-3544
(He will post the scales to anywhere in Australia and he has the best price.)
A&D Mercury can also supply scales to anywhere in Australia.
S.A. (08) 8352 3033 Head Office VIC (03) 9372 1522 NSW (02) 9674 5466
Email A & D Mercury A & D Mercury on the web
Good quality scales are invaluable to this diet. If when you finish the diet you no longer have a need for the scales, you made be able to sell them to parents about to commence the diet.
Saucepan and frypan with non stick surface. Again it is essential to be cautious of cheap brands.
Plastic cooking utensils are better than wood or metal. Wooden utensils can absorb some of the fat and oil while metal utensils will scratch the non-stick surface. (I even let Jessica lick the spoon when I had finished cooking or used a spoon that she could be fed with.)
Plates and drinking vessels. You need to ensure that all the liquid (eg. Fat or cream) can be removed from these.
The Ketogenic Diet - A Treatment for Epilepsy. (I call this the "Keto Bible") You can email me for the latest version, (I have stock on hand) or you can order it direct from America.
The supplier is Demos Vermande.
Phone number is 0011 1 212 683 0072.
(They are 15 hours behind Melbourne's time.) Standard post takes 4-6 weeks. Airmail takes approximately 7 - 10 days.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria has copies of this book that they lend out.
Phone numbers are (03) 9805 9111 - toll free 1800 134 087
Nutritional Values of Australian Foods. This book is available at Government bookshops. Only use this book's values for meat, chicken, fish, eggs, vegetables and fruit. (I have also put this information onto the web site.) It should be used as a guide only for other foods. If the brand of food you are using does not list the values on the packaging, then ring the manufacturer and explain to them that your child is on this diet and you require the nutritional values of protein, fat and carbohydrate per 100 grams of their product. I found suppliers to be extremely helpful. (I also have brand name products listed on the web site.) Another benefit of this book is it enables you to determine approximately how much vitamins and minerals your child is receiving through the foods they are being given. The dietician at the RCH will also be able to provide you with RDA for vitamins and minerals. (Remember the RDA values are based on healthy children who use carbohydrate as their source of energy. Keto kids do function differently.)
(This book may be out of stock at the moment. Contact the book shop in your state.)
Computer Program. One of the fathers whose child was on the diet, created a program for Australian families to use. The dietician at the RCH in Melbourne will provide you with a copy of this program free of charge. If you cannot get this program, contact me and I will be able to forward you a copy.
There is a downloadable version on the "Kuekids Australia" mailing list.
(You will need to get a Yahoo! ID to enable you to join the list)
You can also download the "Meal Calculator" from the mailing list or use it online.
Contact your pharmacist. (Try to use one chemist) Get them to look at all medications that you currently give your child. (Other than AED's) You need to know if any of them contain carbohydrates. If any do, ask your pharmicist for a carbohydrate free brand or substitute instead. If this is not possible, you will need to calculate these into your meal plans when your child requires them.
Remember to get your "ketostix" from your pharmacist before going to hospital. Until ketone levels have stabilised, you should check levels each time your child goes to the toilet or a minimum of three times a day if they are in nappies.
Rather than trying to find sugar-free toothpaste or having to ensure that your child doesn't swallow the toothpaste, use plain water for brushing teeth instead.
We have all been told about how import vitamin and mineral supplements are.
Calcium/magnesium tablets are available. The cal/mag tablet is 2:1 ratio and the calcium that is not used by the body is excreted. This supp has shown not to create renal probs and increases bone density if taken over time. (Caltrate and other calcium supplements that are available in Australia do not do this and can increase the chance of your child developing renal stones and oestoporosis.)
Vitamin C powder is available. This helps remove any toxins in the body and keeps the "coughs/colds/flus" at bay. (If you are wanting these you can email me)
Other supps that are available are B Complex, Salmon Oil and Zinc.
Try your child on as many new "low carbohydrate" foods that you can. Avocados are a great food to include if your child will eat it. It is high in fat as well as low in carbohydrate. It is easier to try new foods before starting the diet rather than after.
The day before admission, try to reduce sweets and carbohydrates from your child's food. Your child can eat as much protein (meat, chicken, fish and eggs) and fat as desired with a limited amount of fruit and vegetables.
(This will help them achieve ketosis much easier and reduce the chance of gastric problems.)
To help you create meals that your child should enjoy, look at what you currently eat. There may only be one or two problem foods. You may be able to substitute something else in it's place. This way the food will taste and look similar to what they currently eat.
(You will find that over time their taste buds will change)
If you find that you are not achieving seizure control with the diet, you may need to look at reducing possible problem causing foods. There have been a number of children that have improved after removing these. If you need more info on this, you can either email me or read the section on Food & Chemical Intolerances.
Visit your Health Centre Sister. It doesn't matter how old your child is. Explain to them that your child is going to be starting this diet and that you need to keep a close watch on their height and weight. Get them weighed at the Health Centre before you start the diet, then every week at the same time until their weight has stabilized. Then fortnightly. If their weight continues to go up or down, you will need to re-calculate the calorie intake. Height should be checked monthly.
Information you need from the dietician. Make sure you are given a breakdown of all AED's that your child is taking so that you can include them in your meal plans. The dietician will also provide you with the computer program for calculating meals as well as explain to you how to use the program.
Information you need from the doctor. The doctor is the person who writes the referral letter for you to make an appointment with the dietician. The doctor is also the person who writes up your blood test referral. When you get the blood test form, check to ensure that AED levels, carnatine levels, liver function test, kidney check, calcium and iron levels are all included. If not, ask for them to be included. (A list of the standard blood tests and when they need to be done is listed in the "file" section of the mailing list.) You will also need a prescription to change any liquid/syrup medications to tablets.
A diary is an essential part of success for this diet. Get in practice before you start the diet. The more information you record, the easier it will be to see any patterns that may be occurring. It also assists greatly when you begin to reduce medications or when it may be necessary to change any part of the diet. (eg. ratio, calorie intake, new food or meal etc.) Some children even react to changes in the weather. The more you record, the less you will have to remember. It is very difficult to manage this diet if you are having to remember so much other information.
Other information that is listed in the file section of the mailing list include: - "Information on Carnitine - deficiencies and when and why your child may need supplementing", "Newest Research on why you should avoid Soy", "Latest Research Information from Johns Hopkins" and "Relevant Medscape Articles".
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