Keto Freak out

(Davis Smith ) #1

So I am on day 6 of Keto. On day 5 I measured for the first time on the urine strips past the neative category to the next color over…and now a day later i test negative. I hit my same macros as always. Its bumming me out! Thanks for listening. Only difference is i prob had the first I would say non keto item, “cole Slaw” so not sure if it had more carbs in there then I thought.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #2

Welcome to the forums! I’m sorry you’re frustrated by the lack of measurement on the urine strips.

Try this: Cut your carbohydrate to as little as absolutely possible, in order to get your insulin level as low as possible (high insulin prevents ketosis). Also, try to have a period of many hours between meals, say between supper and breakfast, to give your insulin plenty of time to go down (takes longer, the more insulin-resistant you are). Then try measuring after you wake up, but before breakfast, and see if that gives you a result.

I’ve never used the urine strips, so if anyone else gives you different advice, take it in preference to mine, lol!

(Jess Spence) #3

I have heard the strips are notoriously unreliable, so I honestly wouldn’t put too much stock into what you see. The most important number to measure is that carb count from what I can tell.

That said, you can more reliably measure with an at home blood meter if you want a more reliable read.

#4

Urine strips are not great. They are affected by a lot of different factors including hydration.

#5

How many grams of total carbs do you eat per day?

#6

Use this as a way to grow and adapt your new lifestyle. You MUST be diligent about everything you consume. Not knowing the nutrition facts of something including Cole slaw (keto and non keto versions available) puts you at a great risk of being knocked out of ketosis. Keep calm and keto on.

(Eli) #7

Use a blood ketone meter if you want to regularly check ketone levels. Much more accurate then pee strips because pee strips only test one type of excess ketone not what you actually have in your body.

(Corrie Mayo) #8

My first full week was up and down too, probably about day 9 the strips began to show me in steady ketosis. All bodies are different and strips are unreliable, just look up your coleslaw carb count, if too high don’t eat moving forward and stick with it!

(Davis Smith ) #9

I eat anywhere from 18-25.

The problem is this cole slaw was from a restaurant and I prob only had an oz, but I know how sensitive it is! Live and learn! How do you guys do it when you eat out?

(Bunny) #10

Commercial and fast food slaw averages around 23 grams of sugar in 1 cup

Eeeeeeeek!

image

#11

Eating out is a huge issue for me. I don’t even use restaurant salad dressings with the exception of olive oil and balsamic. It is one of the more challenging parts of this lifestyle because it forces you to give up control.

I ordered prawns from a classy restaurant and they put sugar on the lemon wedge it was served with. People try to poison everything!

(Raj Seth) #12

Olive oil good. Balsamic not so much. MFP says 10gm sugar in a TBSP :flushed:

#13

Ewwwwww thanks for the info.
POISON EVERYWHERE.

(Jill Carpenter aka space coast spinster) #14

I don’t eat out.
But if I have to, I am a huge pita and I will take as long as I need with a server so they make sure not to mess it up.
I used to be one myself years ago, so I don’t feel too bad about it.
I go simple and bland - like just give me a chicken breast on a plate. :rofl:
and then the chef feels bad and tries to pretty up the plate or put something else on it and I’ll send it back and make them clean it off. LOL
Easier to just stay home

(squirrel-kissing paper tamer) #15

When you have to eat out it helps to know where you’re going and look at the menu beforehand. It will minimize the stress of people waiting on you to decide. I tend to stick with whole meat, nothing on top or a salad (although more carbs than meat). But mostly, I don’t eat out because it’s a crapshoot.

(Chris) #16

Urine strips test the excess wasted ketones and only 1 form of 3 different types of ketone…the ones diabetics have when they have ketoacidosis. So your stress could be actually your body using ketones so well your not peeing them out anymore.