Researchers are warning parents against placing their diabetic or prediabetic children on low carbohydrate or ketogenic diets without the supervision and guidance of healthcare professionals.

Low-carb and ketogenic diets are quite popular in the US, and are sometimes known for his or her potential advantages in managing type 2 diabetes or prediabetes in adults.

Nevertheless, despite their increasing popularity, a latest clinical report by the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against placing children coping with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or prediabetes on such diets.

Based on the study, researchers have found that these diets pose safety concerns that might harm the natural growth and development of kids.

The report stated that children typically get 45% to 65% of their every day calorie intake from carbohydrates. Nevertheless, low carbohydrate diets limit the nutrient’s intake to lower than 26% of total calories. A few of these diets with very low intake further restrict this, by recommending 20 to 50 grams of every day carb intake, whereas keto diets suggest even fewer, falling under under 20 grams.

Although these diets could also be helpful to adults, there may be little research available to support their safety and effectiveness for growing children, the researchers warned.

“Despite the increasing popularity of low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets for managing diabetes in adults, there are safety concerns to contemplate for youth with diabetes who’re restricting carbohydrate intake to regulate weight and/or blood glucose,” the authors of the study mentioned.

“These include growth deceleration, dietary deficiencies, poor bone health, dietary ketosis that can’t be distinguished from ketosis resulting from insulin deficiency, and disordered eating behaviors.”

“Children shouldn’t be placed on low carbohydrate or ketogenic diets without proper monitoring or surveillance by healthcare professionals,” Tok-Hui Yeap, is a registered dietitian and an authorized pediatric nutritionist, told Medical News Each day.

She further stated that having updated guidance on carbohydrate requirements for youth with type 1, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and obesity would help pediatricians and registered dietitians in creating evidence-based treatment plans.

Aside from the technical points of a low-carb weight loss plan, experts advise parents and healthcare providers to be cautious about these dietary plans as they may have long-term effects on how children feel about food.

Based on the experts, children and youths should proceed to eat healthy carbs present in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and dairy products. Additionally they really useful avoiding nutrient-poor foods like processed snacks and sugary beverages.

Published by Medicaldaily.com