A High-Fat Solution for Epilepsy Support
For families following a medical ketogenic diet for epilepsy, every gram of fat, protein, and carbohydrate must be carefully balanced. At Keto-Cool, we’ve spent over seven years living this lifestyle for our son’s epilepsy treatment—and one of our best dietary tools has been nuts and seeds.
These natural foods are more than just snacks. They’re packed with healthy fats, low in carbohydrates, and can help you meet the strict requirements of the ketogenic diet for epilepsy while still keeping meals flavorful and satisfying.
🌱 Why Nuts & Seeds Matter in a Medical Ketogenic Diet
- High in healthy fats: Essential for achieving and maintaining ketosis.
- Low in carbohydrates: Perfect for the carb restrictions of therapeutic keto.
- Rich in nutrients: Deliver key vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Versatile in meals: Add texture, flavor, and energy to keto breakfasts, snacks, and dinners.
🌰 Top Keto-Friendly Nuts for Epilepsy (Per 100g)
Each of the following nuts is ranked by its fat-to-carb keto ratio—a crucial value in epilepsy-specific ketogenic therapy.
1. Macadamia Nuts
- Calories: 753 kcal
- Fat: 76.1 g
- Carbs: 5.4 g
- Protein: 8.8 g
- Keto Ratio: 5.4:1
🟢 Ideal for nut butter, crusts, or snacking.
2. Pecans
- Calories: 721 kcal
- Fat: 72.0 g
- Carbs: 4.4 g
- Protein: 9.2 g
- Keto Ratio: 5.3:1
🟢 Great in muffins, granola, or breakfast porridge.
3. Brazil Nuts
- Calories: 687 kcal
- Fat: 67.1 g
- Carbs: 2.6 g
- Protein: 14.3 g
- Keto Ratio: 4:1
⚠️ Very high in selenium—use in moderation.
4. Walnuts
- Calories: 706 kcal
- Fat: 68.1 g
- Carbs: 5.1 g
- Protein: 15.9 g
- Keto Ratio: 3.2:1
🟢 Great source of omega-3 fats.
5. Hazelnuts
- Calories: 670 kcal
- Fat: 63.0 g
- Carbs: 4.8 g
- Protein: 16.4 g
- Keto Ratio: 3:1
🟢 Use in spreads, granola, or desserts.
6. Almonds
- Calories: 631 kcal
- Fat: 55.8 g
- Carbs: 7.1 g
- Protein: 21.7 g
- Keto Ratio: 1.9:1
🟢 Excellent for almond flour, keto baking, or as a snack.
7. Shelled Pumpkin Seeds
- Calories: 574 kcal
- Fat: 47.2 g
- Carbs: 2.7 g
- Protein: 30.3 g
- Keto Ratio: 1.4:1
🟢 Try them roasted, in granola, or on salads.
🌾 Best Keto Seeds for Medical Keto Diets
These seeds are excellent sources of fat and fiber while supporting protein intake on the keto diet for epilepsy.
1. Hemp Seeds
- Calories: 592 kcal
- Fat: 48.8 g
- Carbs: 4.7 g
- Protein: 31.6 g
- Keto Ratio: 1.4:1
🟢 Sprinkle over salads or blend into pesto.
2. Chia Seeds
- Calories: 443 kcal
- Fat: 30.7 g
- Carbs: 7.7 g
- Protein: 16.5 g
- Keto Ratio: 1.3:1
🟢 Great for chia puddings or thickening smoothies.
3. Ground Flaxseed
- Calories: 477 kcal
- Fat: 31.0 g
- Carbs: 13.0 g
- Protein: 19.0 g
- Keto Ratio: 1:1
🟢 Ideal for baking keto bread and crackers.
💚 From Our Family to Yours
Here at Keto-Cool, we’ve experienced firsthand the challenges of implementing and sustaining a medical ketogenic diet for epilepsy. Nuts and seeds have become essential ingredients in our home—not just for their nutritional benefits, but for their ease of use and flexibility in keto cooking.
Whether you’re just starting the journey or deep into the routine, we hope this guide helps you confidently add high-fat, low-carb foods to your plan.
Always consult your medical ketogenic dietitian before making changes, especially in therapeutic contexts.
Disclaimer
This blog post was inspired by an earlier article I wrote for KetoCafé. The content has been fully rewritten in English and adapted for publication on Keto Cool, with a focus on our personal experience as a family with a child following the medical ketogenic diet.
