ketosis - can you 'feel' when you are in it?

[wendy858]

I am just starting a low-carb plan today. I want to know if you can actually tell when you are in ketosis.

Could someone be kind enough to explain?

TIA :thup:

[cs_carver]

I don't use the sticks.

But sometimes my urine smells funny, and sometimes I catch a whiff of bad breath at the back of my throat, and those are symptoms, so I figure I am. Those symptoms tend to happen at the times when I've eaten the most fat, so I guess it works.

[geo53562]

Some people can't detect any changes (except weight loss) when they go into ketosis, but the most consistant reports are a metallic taste in the mouth, changes in the smell of their sweat, breath and/or urine. Even the Keto stix (that test your urine) are not infallible indicators, as they are only capable of detecting a subset of the chemical changes that can occur in your body during ketosis.

I'm one of the "lucky" folks, who has no doubt about being in ketosis...my mouth has tasted like the bottom of a birdcage for many weeks!:rolleyes:

[60sChild]

Same here, geo...

My DH first words in the morning are usually "OH MY GOD" :D

S

[geo53562]

60sChild--I still have an unused package of keto stix sitting on my dresser...I had no idea why anyone could possibly be in doubt about ketosis until I started hanging out here!:roll:

[60sChild]

Geo...

I must confess, geo, that I am on my last bottle of Ketostix...I guess I just needed that little "visual aid" to assure me of what I really already knew...

My DH will still talk to God every morning, though ;)

S

[SDgrandma]

My body temp goes up after a meal. In fact I start to sweat. I'm post-menapausal (verrry post) so I know it's not hot flashes. But it feels like them.

[Cappy]

Thanks SDgrandma! I just happened to be reading through this thread and I can sooo relate to your reply! I am on my 5th day of Induction and posted that very question the other day about body temp fluctuation while in ketosis. Now I'm 31 - no where near being menopausal but I found myself experiencing *hot flashes* too! LOL Someone else here (forgive me I can't remember who it was right off the top of my head!) said that was most likely a sign of being in ketosis. Hearing it from you reassures me that much more!

[hpjrt]

I have been doing Atkins since late May ... and I've lost about 15 pounds in that time.

So far so good. I'm still losing [when I'm good] and I've definitely lost inches ... my rings are loose ... so I'm "losing" ... and had no doubt that I was in ketosis ... UNTIL I BOUGHT KETOSTIX which don't change colour for me at all! :cry:

I have been preoccupied with this ever since I purchased them some time ago ... so was very glad to read that they aren't always accurate.

Is it possible to be in ketosis and NOT have those darned sticks change colour at all? Should I be concerned as long as I AM losing? I can't help but feel, however, that I'd be losing a lot more a lot faster if that darned stick would only turn purple! :tears:

My other problem is the amounts of food I'm eating. I seem to average between 800 and 1000 calories per day ... about 50% to 60% of which is fat ... about 45% to 55% being protein. I gather this isn't enough ... or is it? If I use the "calculation" ... I should be eating around 1400 calories per day ... do I really need to be up there?

Thanks

Mary

[acohn]

Mary,

In a word, yes. 800-1000 calories/day is a starvation diet, as far as your body's concerned. It will slow your metabolism to match the caloric input. Then, you won't lose weight.

I'd regard 1400 calories a day as a minimum. Up to 70% will come from fat (my usual intake is 2/3 of calories from fat). One of the myths I had to give up was that a calorie is a calorie is a calorie. As you convert your body from burning carbs to burning fat as your primary fuel, your body will preferentially use fat calories for energy production, not adipose tissue (surface fat). This is especially true if you eat medium-chain triglycerides (easily available from coconut milk and oil) as your additional fat source.

Another way to add calories healthfully is in a shake. My Super Paleolithic Punch (http://www.majicom.com/NR/Super%20Paleolithic%20Punch.pdf)is my standard breakfast, giving me 300 calories, both groups of essential fats, medium-chain triglycerides, and more anti-oxidants than most people get all day.

As far as being in ketosis, relax. Atkins is by far the biggest proponent of it. Other low-carb advocates, like Perricone and Eades, don't even feel it's necessary for weight loss.

[ALEKA]

Wow:yay:--I've been on Atkins for a little over three months now and I am 63--way past menopause and hot flashes. I am always HOT!!! I didn't know till now that that was a symptom of being in ketosis. Thanks for the info!!! Now I know what to say to my DH :doah: and daughter when they say they are freezing at my house:lol:--Aleka