Keto Strips: How To Spot The Fakes

Ketone strips are a popular tool for people on the keto diet to measure whether they have achieved ketosis, a natural state in which the body burns fat for fuel. However, there are several factors that can affect the accuracy of these strips, and it is important to know how to use them correctly to get the most reliable results.

The most common type of ketone strips are urine strips, which are easy to use and relatively inexpensive. To use a urine strip, hold the absorptive end in a urine sample for a few seconds, then remove it and shake off any excess liquid. Wait for the specified time for the strip to change colour, then compare it to the colour chart on the packaging. The darker the colour, the higher your ketone levels. However, it's important to note that urine strips may not give an accurate indication of what's happening in your body, as they only measure excess ketones that your body couldn't use.

For a more accurate measurement, blood ketone meters can be used. These are more expensive, but they provide a more reliable indication of ketone levels in the blood. Breath ketone analysers are another option, which are initially more expensive but can be reused, making them a cost-effective choice in the long run.

How to use keto strips

Keto strips are a popular tool for people following a keto diet to check whether they are in ketosis—a natural state in which the body burns fat for fuel. There are two types of keto strips: urine and blood.

Urine Strips

Urine strips are ideal if you’re new to the keto diet and want an easy and affordable way to ensure you’re headed towards ketosis. They are cheap and can be purchased over-the-counter at your local pharmacy and supermarket, as well as online. They typically expire within three to six months of opening.

• Wash your hands, then take a urine sample in a small, clean container.
• Immerse the absorptive end of the strip into the sample for a few seconds, then remove.
• Shake off any excess liquid and wait for the amount of time outlined on the package for the strip to change colour.
• Compare the strip with the colour chart on the packaging. The darker the colour, the higher your ketone levels.
• Dispose of the urine and strip appropriately before washing your hands.

Blood Strips

Once your body has become keto-adapted, blood strips are a more accurate but also more expensive way to measure ketosis. You can usually find blood strips at any place that carries urine strips, but you will need a meter to read them.

• Load the lancet with the needle, following the directions provided.
• Insert a blood ketone strip into the ketone meter.
• Prick your finger to draw a small drop of blood using the lancet.
• Let the strip come into contact with the drop of blood and check the results.
• Dispose of the strip and lancet as suggested in the directions.

Accuracy of keto strips

Keto strips are a popular tool for people following a keto diet to measure whether they are in ketosis, a natural state in which the body burns fat for fuel. They are a cheap and simple way of detecting ketone levels in the body.

However, keto strips are not always 100% accurate and readings may fluctuate for a number of reasons. Firstly, keto strips only measure the unused or excessive ketones that the body doesn't use, so they do not give a true indication of what's happening in the body. Secondly, hydration levels can affect the accuracy of keto strips. While hydration may not significantly impact the readings for the average person, extreme dehydration or over-hydration may affect the results. Thirdly, as the body adapts to burning fat for fuel over time, it may become more adept at burning ketones for energy, resulting in a lower volume of ketones excreted and consequently, lower ketone readings on the strip.

Therefore, while keto strips are a reasonably accurate and cheap way to detect someone's approximate state of ketosis, blood ketone meters and breath ketone analyzers are considered more accurate methods of measurement. Blood ketone meters are more expensive and require pricking your finger to draw blood, while breath ketone analyzers are initially more expensive but can be reused as much as you want.

When to use keto strips

Keto strips are a cheap and convenient way to test whether your body is in ketosis. They are especially useful for people new to the keto diet who want to ensure they are on the right track.

The strips are most accurate when used early in your keto journey. They are also more accurate when used in the morning or after a meal.

If you are diabetic, keto test strips can be a good way to monitor your health. However, blood testing is a more accurate way to do this.

If you are curious about your ketone levels, keto strips are a non-invasive, easy-to-use, and relatively accurate way to test them. However, they are not always 100% accurate, and there are other ways to test for ketones, including blood ketone meters and ketone breath analysers.

• Wash your hands.
• Take a urine sample in a small container.
• Immerse the absorptive end of the strip into the sample for a few seconds.
• Remove the strip and shake off any excess liquid.
• Wait for the amount of time outlined on the package for the strip to change colour.
• Compare the colour of the strip to the colour chart on the packaging.
• Dispose of the urine and strip appropriately, then wash your hands.

The colour of the strip will correspond to the concentration of ketones in your urine, which can range from none to high levels. The darker the colour, the higher your ketone levels.

It's important to note that hydration levels can affect the results of keto strips, and people with kidney problems may not get accurate results. Additionally, keto strips may not be accurate for people who have been on the keto diet for several months, as the body adapts to using ketones for fuel and optimises their production, resulting in fewer unused ketones in the urine. In this case, blood keto strips are a more suitable option for a more accurate reading.

How to interpret keto strip results

Keto strips are a convenient way to test for ketosis. They are thin paper strips that detect ketones in your urine. The strips have a small reactive or absorptive pad at one end that changes colour depending on the level of ketones present.

How to Interpret the Results

The darker the colour, the higher your ketone levels. The strips will come with a colour chart that you can use to interpret the results. The colour chart will indicate whether you are in ketosis or not.

How to Use Keto Strips

• Wash your hands.
• Urinate into a small, clean container, then dip the test end of the strip into the urine sample. Alternatively, you can pass the end of the strip briefly through your urine stream.
• Wait for a few seconds (or as indicated on the test package) for the end of the strip to change colour.
• Compare the colour with the colour chart on the test package.
• Dispose of the urine testing strip. Then wash your hands.

Accuracy of Keto Strips

Keto strips are accurate when you are just entering ketosis, that is, in the first week or two of a ketogenic diet. After this, your body becomes more efficient at using ketones for fuel, and fewer ketones will be found in your urine. Therefore, the strips may indicate that your urine contains only trace amounts of ketones, even if you are still in ketosis.

Other Testing Methods

There are other ways to test for ketones, including blood ketone meters and ketone breath analysers. These methods are more expensive than urine keto strips but are also more accurate.

Pros and cons of keto strips

Keto strips are a popular tool for people following a keto diet to check whether they are in ketosis. There are two types of keto strips: urine and blood.

Pros of Urine Keto Strips

• They are a cheap and convenient way of finding out if you are in ketosis.
• They are easy to use.
• They are ideal if you are new to the keto diet and want to ensure you are on the right track.
• They are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased over the counter.

Cons of Urine Keto Strips

• They are not always accurate. For example, hydration levels can affect the concentration of ketones in your urine, giving you an inaccurate reading.
• They may not be suitable for long-term use as your body adapts to using ketones for fuel and becomes more optimized in producing them, leaving less unused.
• They can be misleading, especially if you've been in a keto-adapted state for many months, as they may indicate that your urine contains only trace amounts of ketones, if any.

Pros of Blood Keto Strips

• They are a more accurate way of measuring ketone levels in the body.
• They are more suitable if you've been following a ketogenic diet for several months and want a detailed picture of your ketone levels.

Cons of Blood Keto Strips

• They are more expensive than urine strips.
• They require pricking your finger, which may not be preferable for some people.

Frequently asked questions