Nutritional Ketosis

[AngiH]

Hi all, I have been doing LCHF/Keto since early January and would be interested to know if I've reached ketosis. I eat between 20 and 30g of carbs a day. I am never hungry, I fast every day for at least 16/8 and have been going longer and longer without food - I now just eat an evening meal. I feel bright, energised and have lost my lethargy in the evenings. Would the strips give me a good idea of where I'm at, or should I buy a meter ( I'd only use on and off).
I'm just guessing I'd like to know as my weight loss is quite slow, and I read these amazing fast weight losses. I know everyone is different and I'm loosing and the bg levels are pretty level. I've had a few mid 4s when I'm fasting which is fab.
Thanks as always for any help.

 

[Pipp]

Hi all, I have been doing LCHF/Keto since early January and would be interested to know if I've reached ketosis. I eat between 20 and 30g of carbs a day. I am never hungry, I fast every day for at least 16/8 and have been going longer and longer without food - I now just eat an evening meal. I feel bright, energised and have lost my lethargy in the evenings. Would the strips give me a good idea of where I'm at, or should I buy a meter ( I'd only use on and off).
I'm just guessing I'd like to know as my weight loss is quite slow, and I read these amazing fast weight losses. I know everyone is different and I'm loosing and the bg levels are pretty level. I've had a few mid 4s when I'm fasting which is fab.
Thanks as always for any help.

I think @Goonergal and @bulkbiker can advise on meters for checking ketosis.

 

[Member496333]

You are definitely in ketosis. Certainly if your account is accurate, which I’m sure it is.

Pee strips are useless long term. I use an On Call GK Dual blood ketone meter which is great but the strips cost an arm and a leg. Way more expensive than glucose strips. Having said that, I only test once weekly, so it doesn’t really cost a lot in the grand scheme.

A blood meter is a handy tool but not essential.

 

[Goonergal]

I think @Goonergal and @bulkbiker can advise on meters for checking ketosis.

Thanks @Pipp for the tag. I have 3 devices for checking ketones:

1) Caresens Dual from spirit Healthcare - got this when the meter was free. Ketone strips are pricey - about £1 each.

2) On call dual meter. Also got meter free thanks to a tip off from @bulkbiker when they were on offer. Strips much cheaper. https://www.valuemed.co.uk/products/on-call-gk-dual-blood-glucose-and-ketone-meter

3) A breathalyser https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dragon-Honor-Professional-Breathalyzer-Portable/dp/B07GGQK9HL

Hope that helps.

 

[bulkbiker]

I also use the On Call GK Dual
Best deal here
https://www.valuemed.co.uk/collecti...n-you-buy-50-on-call-blood-ketone-strips-here

£39.99 for 50 strips and a free meter is pretty good other strips are usually at least £1 each.

 

[bulkbiker]

@Goonergal You're just too quick for me!

 

[Member496333]

Both too slow

 

[Pipp]

Both too slow

Not quite as slow as I was in trying to remember who gave the advice.
Thanks for quick informative responses, @Goonergal @bulkbiker

 

[shelley262]

Hi I use the care sens - yes it a quid a test but I just test once a week at the same time to see my progress. Find it helpful especially now I’m maintaining to check that all motoring along as I’d expect.

 

[AngiH]

You are definitely in ketosis. Certainly if your account is accurate, which I’m sure it is.

Pee strips are useless long term. I use an On Call GK Dual blood ketone meter which is great but the strips cost an arm and a leg. Way more expensive than glucose strips. Having said that, I only test once weekly, so it doesn’t really cost a lot in the grand scheme.

A blood meter is a handy tool but not essential.

Thank you, I do feel so different and better so I'm guessing I am in ketosis. Maybe I'll hold fire and trust in my body.

 

[AngiH]

Thank you all, maybe I'll continue trusting in my body and how I feel. I may splash out on a meter at a later date, but if everything is moving in the right direction I'll carry on as I'm going

 

[Ponchu]

Stay in ketosis for health. Eventually you’ll lose weight. Some are rapid (me) while some are very slow (my son)

We both are now near optimal weight.

 

[bulkbiker]

Both too slow

Yeah but i had to find the useful link! nerrrrr

 

[Spl@]

Once you have a slip carbs wise you will know. I had some pizza at my daughters birthday mid January. Maybe 100g of carbs in one meal. Not much for some but huge for me.

It was better part of a week before I felt right. Once you know the difference you don't really need strips.

 

[Flora123]

Once you have a slip carbs wise you will know. I had some pizza at my daughters birthday mid January. Maybe 100g of carbs in one meal. Not much for some but huge for me.

It was better part of a week before I felt right. Once you know the difference you don't really need strips.

What were your symptoms if you don’t mind me asking.

 

[Spl@]

For me.

Going into.
Headache, increased peeing (smells funny) A naff taste that you cannot shift. Even with mints or mouthwash.

It only lasts a day or 2 now tops if I slip.
Initially the headache and funny taste was for the better part of a fortnight. Reducing gradually.

How I feel in keto is the thing. I'm like 2 different people. Real Clark Kent /superman difference. It makes the effort needed easy.

 

[Spl@]

One thing does need saying.

For me keto is ace. My body Loves it. I genuinely feel like I have found some miracle cure.

The wife. Tried for over a month and she just could not get there. She needs some carbohydrate. Now with either (not both) some carbs with breakfast or evening (30~40g good slow burn carbs) meal she has started to feel better.
She really did look quite ill until I added more carb to her plate. Her job is physical with a lot of stairs and walking, ?.
This morning she mentioned having had a funny taste she cannot shift.

So....? Maybe start pulling those carbs back. She if she makes it

 

[AngiH]

For me.

Going into.
Headache, increased peeing (smells funny) A naff taste that you cannot shift. Even with mints or mouthwash.

It only lasts a day or 2 now tops if I slip.
Initially the headache and funny taste was for the better part of a fortnight. Reducing gradually.

How I feel in keto is the thing. I'm like 2 different people. Real Clark Kent /superman difference. It makes the effort needed easy.

This was definitely me about 3 weeks into it, headache that wouldn't go, extra wee trips and that taste...I couldn't shift it. But that's all gone now and I stay within 30g of carbs, so technically I should be there..happy days.
Thank you

 

[Ponchu]

Once you have a slip carbs wise you will know. I had some pizza at my daughters birthday mid January. Maybe 100g of carbs in one meal. Not much for some but huge for me.

It was better part of a week before I felt right. Once you know the difference you don't really need strips.

I so agree about “knowing.”

I wish I didn’t but the heavy price is likely something this stubborn “@&$)( needs.