Some Keto Diets For Epilepsy Cost More

What was studied

This study looked at the weekly food cost of several ketogenic diets used for adults with epilepsy in Australia. The researchers did not follow real patients. Instead, they created 7-day meal plans for a reference adult man and woman, ages 31 to 50.

They compared 5 eating patterns: a classical ketogenic diet, a modified ketogenic diet, a specialty modified ketogenic diet, the Australian national dietary guidelines, and a typical Australian diet. Food prices were taken from 3 supermarkets.

What they found

For women, the classical ketogenic diet cost about 70.07 AUD per week and the typical Australian diet cost about 75.91 AUD, both lower than the national dietary guidelines at 99.23 AUD. For men, all ketogenic diet types and the national dietary guidelines cost more than the typical Australian diet, with ketogenic and guideline-based diets ranging from 94.81 to 119.60 AUD per week versus 82.98 AUD for a typical diet. Compared with the typical Australian diet, modified or specialty modified ketogenic diets increased food costs by 9% to 31% for women and 26% to 44% for men.

Limits of the evidence

This was a pricing model based on planned menus, not a study of real adults buying, cooking, and eating these diets over time. It only used reference adults ages 31 to 50, so the results may not apply to children, older adults, or people with different calorie needs. Prices came from 3 supermarkets and can change by location, season, brand, and special deals. The study looked at food costs only, so it does not show total treatment costs, seizure outcomes, or whether cost affects starting or staying on the diet.

For families and caregivers

This study suggests that cost could be a barrier for some adults considering ketogenic diet therapy for epilepsy, especially men in this model. For families, it highlights that some medically used ketogenic diets may cost more than usual eating patterns, depending on the type of diet and the person's needs. It may be worth asking the care team about expected food costs and whether any financial help is available.

What to watch next

Stronger evidence would come from studies of real adults or families tracking actual grocery spending and diet use over time.

Terms in this summary

ketogenic diet

A high-fat, very low-carbohydrate diet used as a medical treatment for some people with epilepsy.

drug-resistant epilepsy

Epilepsy in which seizures continue even after trying appropriate seizure medicines.

classical ketogenic diet

A stricter form of ketogenic diet with carefully set amounts of fat, protein, and carbohydrate.

modified ketogenic diet

A less strict ketogenic approach that may allow more flexibility in food choices.

national dietary guidelines

Official advice about healthy eating for the general population.

reference male and female

Standard example adults used for comparison in a study, rather than real participants.