Holiday Tips, Tricks and Treats
Our October Caregiver Zoom meeting focused on sharing tips and creative ideas for navigating the holidays while managing the ketogenic diet. Caregivers shared Halloween candy alternatives, recipe ideas, and ways to make the holidays enjoyable and inclusive for everyone!
Holiday Recipes Ideas
Caregivers shared ideas for making holiday baking fun while accommodating dietary needs. A few favorite recipes were shared, and holiday-themed molds were suggested as creative options for festive jello and fat bombs.
A few examples are linked below:
Caregivers suggested looking at Amazon for more sugar-free jello flavor options.
Recipes shared:
- Sugar Cookie Recipe (Michelle Rainey & The Charlie Foundation): Simple Keto Sugar Cookies
- Pumpkin Pie (Mickey Johnson): Keto Low Carb Pumpkin Pie
If you have a recipe you would like to share, we would love to know it! Please fill out this form to submit a recipe or product recommendation.
Halloween Candy Alternatives
Navigating trick or treating and candy focused gifts can be hard on the ketogenic diet during Halloween. A few caregivers shared ways they make receiving candy fun!
The Switch Witch: Candy is collected while trick-or-treating as usual. Then all the unwanted candy is placed in a large bag before bedtime. The bag of candy can then be left in a specific location. Overnight, the Switch Witch takes the candy and leaves a surprise gift, toy, or other special treat in its place.
Candy Trade-In for Cash: Candy is collected while trick-or-treating as usual. Then the candy is sorted into groups and assigned a cash value to individual pieces, groups of candy, or an entire bag. Children can trade in their candy for money to save or use toward a toy or other special treat.
Navigating Family Gatherings
Many caregivers shared that they pack coolers with individually prepared meals as a backup when attending family gatherings. Having familiar, diet appropriate meals and familiar foods available can help families feel less stress when food options are limited.
Caregivers also discussed the challenges of attending gatherings with family members who may not be familiar with or fully understand the ketogenic diet. Discussing expectations with family ahead of the meal or event is best. The GLUT1 Deficiency Foundation offers a helpful resource with tips for navigating these situations and supporting families.
A huge thank you to all the caregivers who shared their ideas and personal experiences! Learning from one another helps us have new ways to make holidays more manageable and enjoyable!
