Ketone Test Strips

Ketone strips test for the presence of acetoacetate (AcAc),one of the ketone bodies produced when you’re in ketosis. You’ll notice a color change in the test strip, which would indicate low or high ketone levels. Urine test strips are the preferred method for detecting acetoacetate since this ketone spills over in the urine.

The best time to do urine testing for ketosis is in the early morning or a few hours after dinner time. Make sure to follow a consistent testing routine or schedule to get a good picture of your status. Furthermore, keep in mind that various factors may affect your ketone readings, including physical activity and food intake.

Optimal levels of ketosis range from 0.5 to 3 mmol/L, which indicates trace to moderate ketones. This is also the sweet spot to aim for if you’re looking to lose weight using the keto diet.

You should be able to notice a color change from light beige (negative ketones or no ketosis) to a darker shade depending on your current level of ketosis. As a general rule, a darker color indicates a deeper level of ketosis or a high concentration of ketones in your body.

Here’s a guide on using ketone strips and interpreting results

Ketone strips can be very useful for measuring ketone levels in people who are new to the keto diet. However, urine strip readings can become less accurate over time as you make progress because your body gets better at utilizing ketones for fuel. There’s less spillover of acetoacetate in urine, which would likely show a lower ketone reading.

In other words, ketone urine strips show more accurate results for beginners or those who’ve been off the keto diet for some time now and want to get back into ketosis.

There isn’t a standard recommendation on the best frequency for testing ketosis. In fact, you can test as often as you would like, at least twice a day (early morning and late evening) for example, especially at the beginning of the keto diet. This will help you know if you’re on the right track with your diet.