On July 16, 2021, the New York Post did an article called “Kids on Keto Diet Trend Sparks Controversy.” The article talks about a woman named Abby Durlewanger who is known on TikTok as “House of Keto.” They also talked briefly about a woman named Stephanie Mielke who is known as “Keto Mom” on Instagram. Both women use social media to highlight their families’ keto diets, specifically placing their kids on keto.
The Women Who Put Their Kids on Keto
The women are bold and unapologetic about their approach to feeding their children. They have to be; both have many negative and critical comments to their feeds. Abby Durlewanger does note that their pediatrician has approved the diet for her children.
The article also brings in the opinion of pediatrician Courtney Glick, who is not supportive of a keto diet for children. The main issues brought up are that children may not get the proper nutrients that are found in complex (high fiber) carbs. There is also the concern that children may become too stressed about what they are eating. In turn it may cause them to develop a negative relationship with food. She advocates eating a balanced diet, including healthy carbs.
Is It Safe to Have Your Kids on Keto
So, is keto safe for children? The main point I get from this article is that we just really aren’t sure. What is clear is that the majority of children are not eating a healthy diet right now. According to the article, childhood obesity is at an all-time high and the average child in the United States consumes over 65 pounds of sugar a year! What we are doing is not working. Personally, I think it would be great if health care practitioners would admit that.
These two women have come out and said they are doing something different. They are teaching their children to be aware of what they eat. Will that mean that the children will turn to sugary carbs as soon as they turn 18 and leave their parents’ homes? Or will they put too much stress on what they eat and develop a negative relationship with food, maybe even develop an eating disorder? Will they get the nutrition they need as they grow into adults? I guess only time will tell.
What Do We Recommend for Keto?
Bill and I are careful to never recommend keto to anyone. If you decide to do keto, we want to support you to do that but the decision must be yours. At least the women in this article are making mindful choices of what to feed their children each day and teaching their children to be aware of what they are eating. If our daughter was still living with us, I’m not sure we would have her on keto. At the same time, I’m not sure that us feeding her Kraft Dinner, cereal, breads and the occasional Big Mac was any better. So, should kids be on keto? That’s a decision parents have to make, using their own best judgement.
Wendy
