When you or your child are on a medical ketogenic diet, you will have to consider and limit the carbohydrates (carbs) in everything consumed, including non-food items. The term “hidden carbs” refers to carbs in products that are easily overlooked because you may not expect these products to contain carbs, or because carbs are listed on the ingredient list in unfamiliar names. Even a small amount of extra carbs can affect the ketogenic ratio, so it’s important to watch out for carbs that may be hiding in unexpected places. In today’s post, we’ll talk about some common non-food items that may be sources of hidden carbs.
Medications
Medications are often made with fillers that may contain carbs. When your child starts the medical ketogenic diet, the neurologist, dietitian, and pharmacist will assess the carb content in your child’s prescribed medications and switch to carb-free or lower-carb versions if possible. The ketogenic dietitian will account for any carbs coming from medications when calculating your child’s total daily carb intake.
If your child needs a new medication while on the medical ketogenic diet (for example an antibiotic for an ear infection or an antihistamine for seasonal allergies), be sure to contact the neurologist or ketogenic dietitian if you have questions about which formulations are the lowest in carbs. Your keto team may be able to recommend a keto-friendly alternative, or if not, adjust the diet to account for the additional carbs coming from the new medication. Different brands and generic versions can have different ingredients and fillers, so never assume that one version is safe because the other was.
The Charlie Foundation provides a helpful list of Carb-free or Low-Carb products, including common over-the-counter medications. This list is a great guide for keto-friendly products but as always, consult with your health care team before introducing any new medications.
Personal Care Products
It’s also important to look out for hidden carbs in personal care products because they may be absorbed through the skin. Be especially careful with dental care products, like toothpaste and mouthwash, as well as skin care products that are applied in large amounts, like sunscreen or body lotion.
Your health care team may be able to recommend certain brands or varieties of personal care products that are keto-friendly, along with varieties to avoid. The Charlie Foundation’s list of Carb-free or Low-Carb Products includes a broad collection of keto-friendly personal care products.
Remember, if you are ever unsure if a product is keto safe or not, hold off on using it until you check with your health care team.
Keto parents- Have you ever discovered hidden carbs in an unexpected place? Please share your experiences and tips with other parents in the comment section!
Always consult with your ketogenic clinician prior to making any changes to your ketogenic diet or condition management.
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