Celebrating Birthdays on the Ketogenic Diet -

A birthday party can be a little tricky for someone trying to stay on their ketogenic diet. With a party comes the expectations of cake and ice cream, not bacon and heavy cream. Luckily with better availability of resources for low carb and keto friendly treats, birthday treats are possible on a ketogenic diet. Here are some suggestions.

If you are planning the party, concentrate on the activity or theme of the party and make the treats secondary. For example, you could have a jump house with games, go to the movies, have an arts and crafts project, or have live entertainment such as a magician. Having the focus on fun will divert from the expectations of cake.
Cupcakes or cake pops are very popular at birthday parties. These are great options because they are single serving, and you can provide regular cupcakes or cake pops for the party guests and keto-friendly cupcakes or cake pops for your child. Try these recipes for KetoCal® chocolate cupcakes or KetoCal vanilla cake pops.
Doughnuts and doughnut holes can be made with keto friendly ingredients. Try these recipes for KetoCal glazed or chocolate doughnuts.
If the party is during summer months, consider a popsicle party. Popsicles can easily be made keto-friendly and are always a big hit with kids.
Another great dessert is sugar-free gelatin. You can make a fun beach themed dessert by using sugar-free blue gelatin, almond flour for sand, and adding a tiny drink umbrella.
Many school districts do not allow food to be brought into the classrooms. When celebrating birthdays at school nonfood items are just as much a treat to kids as food. You could send nonfood party favors for all of the children to enjoy, such as stickers, pencils, etc. Doing a craft or playing a game would also be a fun idea to consider.
When heading to other children’s birthday parties, have your child come prepared. Send along keto-friendly snacks and/or fat bombs so that they may enjoy a sweet treat too.

KetoCal® is a medical food for the dietary management of drug-resistant epilepsy and must be used under medical supervision.