Measuring Ketones?

Why do people measure ketones? You are not in ketosis until you reach a certain level of measurable ketones in your system. There are 3 methods to do this. The most accurate is the meter where you prick your finger and test the blood. This is the most expensive as it costs money for each test strip used in the meter. The next and most commonly used are the pee strips. You just urinate on them and they tell you the amounts of ketones in your urine. This is accurate to a point, especially early in your journey. As your body becomes adapted and effectively using ketones instead of sugar you will excrete less. You can be in ketosis and have very few ketones in your urine. The third method is a breath meter. This device is one you breathe into like a breathalyzer used to check your blood alcohol levels. It takes some getting used to how hard to blow. It is a one time cost and you can use it over and over, thus allowing you to check it before and after meals and any other time of the day. I use the breath meter and have found it to be fairly accurate.

If you live a ketogenic life then you will be in ketosis and the meters are then a waste. Early on though you like me find it fascinating to see what everything put in your mouth does to your levels.