ketostiks not turning colour

[anniewann]

Well I am totally perplexed!!! I have been on Atkins for over two months. I have used the stix everyday and each day I saw the variety of colour, from pink to almost wine. All of a sudden I lost the colour change and I have no idea why. The only thing I can think of is that I have not been eating enough fat. Would this cause the ketostiks to stay beige? I really want to solve this dilemma. As far as I can determine, I have not increased my carbs. Thanks all.

[Janice]

I'm not sure what to tell you but I think the "moderators" on this forum will probably ask you to post what you are eating every day. It's hard to tell unless that information is available. Also, have you started taking any "meds" that you weren't taking before? Give the additional information and see what others advise you to do. Good luck!! Hang in there until you get an answer. I would think it has to be something you are eating that has hidden carbs.

[2big4mysize]

Stix color isn't the only method to determine if you are in ketosis. Do you have the physical symptoms of ketosis? you can lose color for a variety of reasons. If you think you haven't been eating enough fats then up your fats to the 65% of your calories that Atkins ketogenic diet is all about and see. You shouldn't need to test unless you are in OWL and making food changes. Some food groupd can mess with your ketosis. If you are doing OWL you may have reached your CCLL and be out. If you still have estrogen working it can knock you out at that time of the month. certain meds can do that.

[anniewann]

I have a fried egg and a 3 oz. beef steak for breakfast. For lunch I have a spinach salad with cheese, salmon salad and the usual chopped veggies. During the afternoon I will have maybe 30 almonds. For supper I have a chicken breast and cauliflower. That's pretty much the scenario everyday with changes only in variety of protein. The only difference has been that I have added the almonds or, sometimes, dried pumpkin seeds. I do not do the cheat thing so far. I am post menopausal but have found that the sweats have returned lately and assume it is Atkins.

[Desertthorn]

AnnieWann, You know, I have never been able to get the sticks to change color. Well once I thought it may be between negative and trace. So after going thru 2 bottles of the things, I gave up trying. Don't worry to much about them. Whats important is pounds lost, inches evaporating and the new found health that we have.
Funny you mention the hot flashes. I had been without a hot flash for a couple of years and they have returned. I hope we are not going backward. This time of our lives is like a gift for putting up with TOM for so many years. I would hate to return to THAT.

[anniewann]

Thanks DesertThorn. My daughter and her husband have been on Atkins for 4 days and their stix are both purple. That is really frustrating. lol. I am wondering if age has an impact on the production of keytones.
Annie

[Janice]

Annie, IMO ----- I think our age DOES have something to do with how "effectively" our bodies burn ketones. For one thing, I have never been to the deepest color of purple even though others get there. I really tried to one time but never made it. 2big says the best time to use the stix is in the morning so that's what I do. I'm just happy with the "small" color because that's what mine stays most of the time. Every now and then I'll get to "moderate" but only once in a while. I wonder if exercise helps the color get darker? I know I'm lacking in that department. When I start Curves for Women next week, I'll let you know if my stix get any darker. I'm okay with the "small" color since I'm losing weight steadily ---even though it's slow. Good luck to you!! Hang in there!!

[anniewann]

Sorry Janice but exercising won't do it either. I work out at least 4 times a week for an hour on bike and treadmill plus going to weight training for an hour twice a week. No purple. I am kinda stuck the past few days in my weight loss but no complaints really. I have lost 27 pounds since mid June. You are doing fantastically Janice. Congrats.

[flyingmz]

Keostix color

One possibility for them not turning is holding them in the stream for too long. If you read the directions, it is supposed to be a quick pass through, just enough to wet the stick. If you hold it in too long, the chemicals to make the turn are washed away. I am certain this will help since your diet appears to be proper. Try it and let me know.

[anniewann]

Thanks Diana. I thought that was a possible explanation so yesterday I did a test. I passed stick through stream three times and also collected and dipped. The result was the same....faint pink. I suspect that age may be the reason but I also see that the less I eat, the more likely the sticks will be barely pink. Sometimes I just don't have the time to eat much and this may be a factor as well.
Annie

[Desertthorn]

I have a new theory about stix color, humidity. I think humid weather affects them. I bet if you bought a new bottle, you problem will be solved. Personally, I am not going to waste my money again.

[anniewann]

HURRAY!!! Problem solved!! I was just not eating enough and that interferred not only with the ketostiks but also with the weight loss. I had gone into a stall that continued on for days. Since I upped my calories while still maintaining the correct ratio my weight has been dropping like a rock!! My sticks are now moderate on their way to strong. I am one happy camper. Thanks all for putting up with my whining. Thanks to flyingmz for agreeing that this could have been the cause.

Annie

[mon]

sticks

Hi,

Im 52 and use the sticks they are always 2nd darkest colour.

But my weight loss is slow {but i have no cravings and im only hungry at meal times.

I just must be a slow looser.

At the Atkins center they say to use the sticks at night 2 hours after your dinner for the proper reading.

Are they correct?

[rivera11]

not turning color

I'm still new at this. I've been told and read in the Atkins book, that sometimes if it turns purple, it :capital might be a sign that you are not drinking enough water.

[canuck]

I called the company that makes the stix, should never test in morning as due to fasting will read purple and wont be accurate of fat burning, two hrs after evening meal is best and always same time of day, just need to pass thru stream once, yes humidity does affect them, my hubby lost 65 lbs and never once tuned a stix any color so we are all different. I don’t put allot of faith and they are only one-way to measure. I use a tape measure as everyone thinks this past yr I have lost another 50 lbs and only lost 10 but have lost tons of inches as my body changes. This is my opinion anyhow :wave