I recently attended several nutrition conferences and I learned A LOT of new and surprising information.

It’s amazing all the new info recently coming out from new researches and studies are changing medicine.

Many of the nutrition advices that we’ve been adhering to over the years have been proven ALL WRONG!!!

I’m glad these new findings are emerging because I’ve been recommending some of these advices over the years, and finally, I have evidence to support them.

One of these new concepts were intermittent fasting and ketogenic diet.

I’m a board-certified specialist in pediatric nutrition for many years. There are only 2 reasons I put patients on a ketogenic diet – mitochondrial disorder or intractable seizure control. These are the only 2 medical reasons for ketogenic diet, that I know of in my professional life.

These conferences opened my eyes to a whole new world about the food we eat everyday and the new idea of ketogenic diet for autism, ADHD and Alzheimer’s were introduced.

What is a Ketogenic Diet?

A ketogenic diet literally means a diet to create ketones or ketosis, which is a state of starvation, but without the starvation. Like the Atkins, Paleo, and South Beach diets, a ketogenic diet is very low in carbohydrates. But unlike these diets, it is very high in fats. It’s a diet to trick the body into thinking it’s starving.

Ketone bodies do not normally circulate in the body unless it has been starving for a few days, or if one is on a very high fat diet, such as ketogenic diet.

There is no set of standard intake ratios for a keto diet, but popular versions comprise 70–80 percent fats (e.g. fats, cream), 10–20 percent protein (fish, meats, seeds, nuts are all OK), and about 5–10 percent carbohydrates (this means cutting out sweets, rice, grains, white potatoes, milk, beans and most fruit).

With carbohydrate intake being drastically reduced, a person’s body runs out of glucose stores to use for energy and so it uses dietary and stored fat instead, 

When the body uses fat as energy, it creates molecules called ketone bodies. This process is called ketosis. When fat is used as an alternative source of fuel, ketone bodies are made. The body’s cells may be able to use ketone bodies as an alternative fuel when glucose is unavailable.

How Does Ketogenic Diet Benefit ADHD?

 

One of the conferences I attended was called “The Pharmacy in Your Kitchen” presented by Dr. Michael Lara, who is a neuropsychiatrist.

Dr. Lara explains that ADHD, autism and Alzheimer’s are like diabetes of the brain cells. Because of insulin-resistance, the brain cells are not able to use glucose efficiently for energy just like in diabetes, where tissue cells are not able to use glucose. The alternative source of energy, fat, which bypasses the defects, seems to work very well in patients with ADHD, autism and Alzheimer’s.

In Alzheimer’s disease, the neurons in certain areas of the brain are unable to take in glucose due to insulin resistance, and slowly die off… if these cells had access to ketone bodies, they could potentially stay alive and continue to function.

The ketogenic diet helps with mood because it prevents the peaks and troughs in blood glucose levels caused by a diet loaded with highly processed carbs and sugars. 

When you removed most of those junk carb, your blood glucose become more stable and so is your mood. Many people who eat a lower carb diet report better energy and better moods.

This peaks and troughs of blood glucose is what causes some of the anger outbursts and emotional meltdowns seen in kids with ADHD. Their little body is just trying to regular itself. 

Think Hangry. They are the same idea. 

How to Hack the ADHD Brain with Ketogenic Diet?

 

The ketogenic diet we’ll be discussing here is temporary and use in conjunction with intermittent fasting. Thus, the unpleasant side effects are minimized. 

According to Dr. Lara, all you need is 12-18 hours of fasting x2-3 times a week. 

If you eat your last meal at 7pm, wake up the next morning and eat your first carb-containing meal at say 10-11am, you’d have fast 15 hours.

Now knowing that skipping breakfast couple times a week is actually good for you, I’ll suggest taking the coconut oil in the morning when you skip breakfast, which means no carbs.

You can facilitate the ketosis with a high fat or ketogenic breakfast. 

For our purpose of improving focus and energy in ADHD, a cup of bulletproof coffee or caffeine-free turmeric golden milk for younger children. Both made with coconut oil.

The caffeine from the coffee will help increase focus and concentration. The fats from coconut oil will push the body into ketosis along with the overnight fast, which results in ketone bodies that the brain cells would use instead of carbs.

Younger children just need the coconut oil from the gold milk latter to support brain growth and development. They don’t need the caffeine to stimulate their brain. 

Related: How to Use Caffeine for ADHD?

What’s All the Hype with Coconut Oil?

 

Coconut oil has become a household item because of its multipurpose uses. You can eat it and you can wear it.

Here we’re most interested in its nutritional benefits. 

I choose to use coconut oil because of its medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) fatty acid profile. There are 3 types of MCT oil in coconut oil. The one we’re most interested here is the caprylic acid because of its unique power in promoting ketosis.

By using coconut oil, which is a good source of caprylic acid, your body will enter ketosis faster and more ketones bodies are available for the brain cells.

Remember you cannot consume any carbs during the intermittent fasting period, which should last at least 15-18hours a day. 

How to Start Ketogenic Diet in Kids with ADHD?

 

It should be noted that most keto studies are short term. And the long-term impact of a keto diet is not fully understood. 

My recommendation for young children would be best to stick to a moderate low-carb and high-fat real food diet.

Nothing that you need to count and measure. Younger children generally needs more fats anyway to support brain growth and development. 

To gradually transition to a low-carb, high-fat diet, remove sugar, processed food, and foods made with white flour, dye, or additives from diet first. And gradually introduce nutrient-rich foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, seeds, clean animal protein and whole grains.

Limiting carbohydrates may limit intake of essential micronutrients, so it is important to supplement with the appropriate vitamins and minerals to avoid deficiencies.

For younger children, it’d be more appropriate to use a turmeric gold tea latte in the morning instead of the bulletproof coffee. 

Younger children with ADHD needs more brain-nurturing nutrients to boost brain growth and development, not a stimulant to mess with their premature brain chemistry. 

While you’re rocking the ketogenic diet, you may also want to include some brain food to your daily routine to help make the fast more efficient.

Link to Low Carb Ketogenic Diet for ADHD Board on Pinterest. 

Warning: Do not ever drink any oil, including coconut oil, directly as it increases risk of aspiration. Always mix coconut oil into something else to consume with. 

Whether the ketogenic diet will work for your child or not depends on many factors, such as whether or not your child is able to digest and absorbs dietary fats properly and/or if the brain glucose utilization is a problem. 

Ok, there you have it…

I hope you find this information helpful. Let me know what you think and comment below.

Remember ADHD does not doom your child to a life of under-achievement. You know your child is bright, full of potential, and deserves the best. In fact, many of the world’s greatest discoveries and inventions were made by people with ADHD.

I helped my crazy wild child who could not read or write when she was little with the 4 steps I laid out in the Eat to Focus book. She’s now a merit scholarship student studying premed in Loyola Chicago University.

So stay strong and keep believing in your child.

Check out the Eat to Focus book to learn about my story and the 4 steps that I used to transform my daughter and help her reach her full potential. This information may change your child’s future.

Download your free gift before you leave. I have put together 15 clean and brain-nourishing school day breakfast ideas for you. I don’t like to spend my life in the kitchen either, so I make sure these are super simple and quick recipes, and some you can even prepare the night before. Knowing your child goes to school fully prepared and well-fed is satisfying.

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY NOW

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Anna

Clean Eating Officer (CEO) at Malama Wellness + Hypnotherapy
I'm Anna, a passionate dietitian and hypnotherapist dedicated to helping parents of kids with ADHD unlock the transformative potential of healthy eating and holistic approaches. With years of experience in pediatric nutrition and a focus on mind-body connection, I provide personalized guidance and practical tools to support positive behavioral changes and nurture your child's well-being.
I'm Anna, a passionate dietitian and hypnotherapist dedicated to helping parents of kids with ADHD unlock the transformative potential of healthy eating and holistic approaches. With years of experience in pediatric nutrition and a focus on mind-body connection, I provide personalized guidance and practical tools to support positive behavioral changes and nurture your child's well-being.

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