Before your child starts the ketogenic diet, there are some small changes you can begin at home. These steps are designed to help your child (and your family) get used to a new way of eating, and to make the transition to the ketogenic diet feel more manageable.
These changes do not mean your child has started the ketogenic diet yet. Your ketogenic diet team will guide you on exactly when and how the diet begins.

Building routines and reducing sugar

Regular meals

•    Aim for three meals a day, with a bedtime snack if needed
•    Keeping meal times regular can help your child adjust more easily later

Include protein and vegetables

•    Try to include a protein rich food at each meal, such as eggs, meat, fish or beans
•    Include at least one portion of vegetables with meals

Gradually reduce sugar

Cutting down sugar slowly can make a big difference. Start by reducing:
•    Sugary drinks, fruit juices and fizzy drinks
•    Sweets, chocolate, biscuits, cakes and pastries
•    Sugary cereals, cereal bars and puddings
•    Jam, honey, syrups and chocolate spreads
•    Crisps, pizza, noodle pots and similar foods
Choose water or sugar free squash for drinks where possible.

Snacking

•    Try to move away from constant grazing
•    Plan snack times and reduce easy access to high sugar treats

Increasing fats gently

Fats play an important role in the ketogenic diet. As part of preparation, you can begin to:
•    Use butter and oils when cooking
•    Add double cream or full fat dairy to foods such as vegetables, cereals or soups
This helps your child become familiar with richer foods before the diet starts.

Trying lower carbohydrate swaps

Vegetables

•    Use more vegetables such as courgette, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, mushrooms and green beans
•    Gradually reduce potatoes, pasta and rice

Fruit

•    Try smaller portions of fruits such as strawberries, raspberries and blackberries
•    Gradually reduce higher sugar fruits like bananas, grapes and mango

Your dietitian will guide you carefully on amounts later — this stage is about getting used to different options.

Trying ketogenic style meals

Some families find it helpful to try one ketogenic style meal per day to become familiar with flavours and textures.
Examples include:
•    Eggs cooked with butter or cream
•    Meat or fish with creamy sauces and vegetables
•    Full fat yoghurt with cream and berries
These meals are for practice only and are not tailored to your child’s individual ketogenic diet plan.

Snack ideas during preparation

Snack ideas that can work well during this stage include:
•    Cheese or cheese strings
•    Boiled eggs with mayonnaise
•    Tuna or salmon mixed with full fat cream cheese
•    Avocado with cream cheese
•    Full fat yoghurt
•    Nuts or peanut butter (if appropriate)
•    Strawberries with cream
•    Sugar free jelly or ice lollies

Preparing for the ketogenic diet takes time, and it’s completely normal to feel unsure at the start. Small, gradual changes are often more successful than trying to change everything at once.

Your ketogenic diet team will support you throughout the process, with clear guidance and plenty of opportunity to ask questions.