What Are Keto Strips And Do They Really Work?

The keto diet is growing in popularity as fast as its participant's waistlines are shrinking. Eat This, Not That reports that the low-carb, high-fat eating plan is now the most popular diet in America. This popularity has birthed tons of keto-friendly recipe books, restaurant menu items, and products on the grocery shelves. And in addition, it's also revealed a specific way to know if you are on the right track towards weight loss.

Introducing keto strips. If you are a participant of this diet, you know its entire point is for your body to achieve a state of ketosis. What is ketosis? It is the state when your body starts to burn stored fat as a source of fuel instead of carbohydrates. You can tell you are in a state of ketosis if you have bad breath, start losing weight, have increased focus and energy, and perhaps a few digestive issues, notes Healthline. 

Even with all of these signs, it can still sometimes be hard to tell if you're maintaining the ketosis state. This is where keto strips can be helpful. According to Healthline, keto strips — also known as urine strips — were first developed for individuals with diabetes who needed to check if they were at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis. The strips are sold in bulk, can be purchased over-the-counter at your local pharmacy, and are inexpensive.

In addition to helping diabetics, these urine strips can also measure the number of ketones that are in your system. It is a color-based system and typically, the darker colors on the test strip represents higher ketone levels (via Healthline). In addition to checking if you are in a ketosis state through your urine, you can also check through your blood, reports Men's Health. Blood strips require you to prick your finger for a sample. They also use a color-based system to check your body's ketone levels.

Checking if you are in a state of ketosis through urine and blood strips definitely shows a commitment to your diet. But unfortunately, even these methods don't promise 100% accuracy. For the most valid results, health coach and keto expert Karissa Long recommends that dieters should conduct the urine or blood tests twice a day and at the same time. "Morning and night testing is recommended because ketone levels are normally lower in the morning and higher at night so you can get an idea of your ketosis range throughout the day," she says.

This popular diet certainly has many ways to tell if you have achieved the desired state of ketosis. And it is up to you whether you choose to do a simple bad breath check, or opt for the urine and blood keto strips instead.