Millie’s African Adventure
*also published in the Summer edition of the CHOP Keto Newsletter
Since Millie was diagnosed with Glut1 Deficiency Syndrome and began the ketogenic diet at CHOP in January 2013, our family has embraced both the many benefits and ongoing challenges of keto life. While the diet has empowered Millie to thrive, it requires consistency and careful planning—especially when we step outside our normal routine.
So when the opportunity arose for our family to travel to Africa this summer, we were thrilled—but also a bit apprehensive. Would we be able to keep Millie’s keto needs on track thousands of miles from home?
Thanks to the unwavering support of the CHOP keto team—especially Sue Groveman—we got the green light with confidence. Sue connected with a local dietitian in Zambia who confirmed that essential keto items could be found nearby. She also helped us reimagine our travel setup: suggesting shelf-stable snack options, coordinating delivery of travel-safe KetoCal, and even providing a backup meal plan for alternate cream if needed. The team also gave us a formal letter to ease airport security checks.
With their guidance, we felt fully prepared. This trip—our furthest yet—became incredibly meaningful and truly life-changing because we knew Millie’s keto needs were fully supported. Millie is so happy to share stories of our adventures, especially about all the amazing animals we saw!
To the entire CHOP keto team: thank you. You made this unforgettable journey possible.
— The Meisner Family
Millie’s mom, Erin, shared some tips from this trip that could be helpful on your next adventure, no matter where!
• Yeti backpacks with gallon and 2-gallon freezer bags
These were lifesavers! We pre-packed seal-tight bags with keto foods and could easily add ice to the coolers throughout the trip to keep everything cold and dry—no leaks, no mess. Ice was easy to find at hotels and even available for a small cost at coffee shops.
• Disposable “juice (cream) bottles” and containers from Amazon
These made mealtime and prep so much easier—no washing dishes! They were perfect for a true vacation setup while still managing keto carefully.
• Packed creams and oils from home
We brought Wawa cream, Organic Valley cream, and canola oil to start, but also found canola oil locally in Africa. Having our own supply gave us peace of mind, knowing Millie’s essentials were covered even if local options weren’t immediately available.
• Cocoa butter–based snacks for long-lasting energy
Although we traveled with some pre-batched keto snacks, the cocoa butter options quickly became our go-to. They held up well through changing temperatures and were easy to portion and pack. Pre-packaged Moon Cheese, nuts, and KetoCal were also wonderful to have on hand.
• A CHOP travel letter for airport screenings
We kept this letter with us at all times. Each airport experience was a bit different—our coolers were scanned but never opened in South Africa, Zambia, and Dubai, and security simply reviewed the note. Leaving the U.S. involved the expected cooler check and pat-down, but thanks to the letter, we didn’t have to open any of the cream bottles. It was absolutely essential!
