How is calculating a Classical Diet different from calculating an MCT diet?
Calculation of a classical diet prescription is based on a ratio of long-chain fat to carbohydrate and protein, usually 3:1 or 4:1. Calculation of the MCT diet prescription is based on the percentages of energy provided from the medium chain fat (MCT), carbohydrate, protein and long-chain fat. The way these calculated prescriptions are translated into meals also differs in the two diets; the classical diet usually uses strict meal recipes, all in the correct ratio, whereas the MCT diet often employs exchanges, which can be more flexible, although ideally should be structured over the day to ensure the correct balance of MCT and long chain fat to carbohydrate and protein at each meal or snack. There has also been a tendency to be more relaxed with the calorie prescription on the MCT diet, although there is little literature evidence for this idea.
