Cheated, back in ketosis the next day?

#1

I don’t intend to cheat on this diet, but I had a Hershey bar and did not have will power. I’ve gone past my macros accidentally for social reasons (eating out with friends) two other times.

In all cases I have fasted at least 16 hours before the next meal, and two of the three I also went to the gym during the fast.

So basically, it’s now a bit less than 24 hours since I blew my carb count for the day and my keto strips are reading 1.5.

I’ve been on this diet since November 5.

I’ve read that the strips are useless but also read that they help when someone is first getting fat adapted because they will measure extra ketones (that your body will use more efficiently later).

I’m just puzzled that one fast and then a few hours back on a ketogenic diet could get me back into ketosis that quickly.

Thoughts?

(Robert C) #2

I do not think you are in ketosis because your keto strips are reading 1.5.

I think that just means that you are still producing ketones.

But, when you consume glucose, the glucose is likely preferentially used.

I am not sure of the formal definition of being in ketosis but it seems like it would be both creating ketones and actually using them.

Creating them while glucose is around would probably simply slow their production as they stack up in the blood (or eventually stop the production as unnecessary if you kept eating glucose).

Not a doctor but this seems to be a plausible explanation.

#3

So then how do I know when my body has used up the glucose and is instead running on ketones?

My moods have been surprisingly even, except at the end of my fast I do get a bit ill-humored. I’ve had some keto flu symptoms, recently a lot of fatigue which resolved when I upped my electrolytes and fluid intake.

(Robert C) #4

I assume it would be pretty quick if you are just having a single bar of chocolate and then back on the keto plan.

Your body is using (very approximately) a bit over 100 calories per hour while awake so it comes down to the dose (a regular little chocolate bar might just be an hour or so, a “king size” a couple of hours - where you get killed is when you dig your way to the bottom of a pint of Ben and Jerry’s). As well, you are fasting and exercising, probably clearing glucose and lowering insulin even faster.

All (I think) nothing to worry about unless you make it regular.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #5

Actually, the definition of nutritional ketosis is a serum β-hydroxybutyrate of 0.5 mmol/dL or above.