Table 2.

Diet comparison overview.

	Classic ketogenic diet (KD) 4:1 ratio	Classic KD 3:1 ratio	Low Glycemic Index treatment 1.5:1 ratio	MCT oil diet0.67:1–1.5:1 ratio	Modified atkins 0.79:1 ratio	Atkins 0.73:1 ratio
Caloric distribution charts
Fat portion of calories	180 g	174 g	120 g	120 g; 60% fat: start with 30% MCT, 30% LCT then may adjust up to 50% MCTa and decrease LCT down to 10% as tolerated	High fat encouraged	High fat encouraged
					Although not measured: At 64% of calories = 128 g	Although not measured: At 62% of calories = 124 g
Protein portion of calories	36 g	45 g	126 g	90 g (can be adjusted up or down)	Although not measured = at 30% of calories = 135 g	Although not measured = at 29% of calories = 131 g
Carbohydrate portion of calories	9 g	15 g	54 g	90 g (can be adjusted up or down)	10–15 g/day for first month	20 g/day for first two weeks
						20 + 5 g/day until 10 lbs from goal weight
					20–30 g/day afterward	+10 g/day until goal weight reached
How are foods measured?	Weighted on digital gram scale	Weighted on digital gram scale	Using household measurements, exchange lists or estimated	Uses exchange lists	Estimated	Estimated
Calories controlled	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Presence of urine ketones	Yes	Yes	No	Yesa but may need the higher amount of MCT and or ratio adjusted to decrease carb/protein	Yes if protein intake controlled	Yes if protein intake controlled

^aDiets adjusted to 1,800 kcal diet for comparison purposes only.

LCT, long-chain triglycerides; MCT, medium-chain triglyceride.