Question about my goof up!

[chicanurse]

I goofed yesterday afternoon big time with a splenda sugar mix thinking it was only splenda. I checked my ketones after sleeping and nothing to eat - and I am still showing the same amount of ketosis on the strips....how is that possible? Do you think the strips are defective?

[not2late]

Re: Question about my goof up!

I goofed yesterday afternoon big time with a splenda sugar mix thinking it was only splenda. I checked my ketones after sleeping and nothing to eat - and I am still showing the same amount of ketosis on the strips....how is that possible? Do you think the strips are defective?

How much of the splenda for baking did you use?

How many carbs did you have that yesterday?

And I hope you didn't forgo eating anything for supper because that would have been the WRONG thing to do. See, you need to keep your blood sugars stable. Not eating because you "messed up" will only lower your blood sugar, sending it to spike higher when you do finally eat a meal. Part of losing weight on Atkins is keeping that blood sugar stable in addition to ketosis.

As for the strips....it doesn't matter how dark or how light they are. If you are registering ketones, you are in ketosis. The strips are actually a lousy way to measure ketosis because it measures only 1 of the 3 ketones your body produces. Additionally, that urinary ketone comprises about 18% of the total ketones our bodies produce. AND it easily converts to acetone which is exhaled out of our bodies. It's such a lousy indicator of ketosis that they NEVER used it to monitor diabetics in ketoacidosis when I worked at the hospital. They always measured the serum levels, which were much more accurate. I mean, the endocrinologists used to yell at the residents if they only measured the urinary ketones to monitor ketosis in hospitalized patients.

[imagood1]

Re: Question about my goof up!

if you are showing any color on your strips you are in keotsis -- the only difference in color is the darker the color it shows you are more dehydrated the lighter the color the less dehydrated you are. I have had weeks where I show no color on the strips at all and have still lost weight. How long have you had the sticks? If you keep them tightly closed and away from heat they should be fine.

Personally, I don't use them - they are deceiving and make people upset for no reason. Go back to using ONLY 3 packets of Splenda a day and keep on plan.

Drink at least 64 ounces of PURE water daily to keep yourself hydrated - nothing but water counts toward the 64 ounces....kool-aid, crystal light, tea - don't count.

This is from the "Read before you start" on the induction thread

Be sure to drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day, including:
Filtered water
Mineral water
Spring water
Tap water

Additionally (after your 64 ounces daily), you can have the following:

Clear broth/bouillon (not all brands; read the label)
Club soda
Cream, heavy or light (limit to two to three tablespoons a day; note carb content)
Decaffeinated coffee or tea*
Diet soda made with sucralose (Splenda); be sure to count the carbs (may cause a stall in weight loss)
Essence-flavored seltzer (must say "no calories" and should not contain aspartame)
Herb tea (without barley or any fruit sugar added)
Lemon juice or lime juice (note that each contains 2.8 grams carbohydrate per ounce); limit to two to three tablespoons

*Excessive caffeine may cause unstable blood sugar and should be avoided by those who suspect they are caffeine dependent. Everyone should try to avoid caffeine. Grain beverages (coffee substitutes) are not allowed. Alcoholic beverages are also not permitted during Induction; those low in carbohydrates are an option, in moderation, in later phases.

[chicanurse]

Re: Question about my goof up!

My carb count was still under 20 per day - I calculated it properly according to the label, I just didn't realize there was any sugar! I didn't forgo meals, I just made sure they were LOW carb meals. I am light on my strips and I have always been a big water drinker. I'm sure I drink far more than the recommended amount....I pee alot and it is clear (sorry if its TMI).

I used 2t of the splenda/sugar mix. But I was worried because I am supposed to eliminate "sugar".

So I'll just ease up on the strips cause I am becoming obsessed with them! I was concerned that I was only registering small - didn't think about the hydration factor - thanks!

[chicanurse]

Re: Question about my goof up!

Oh and thanks so much for the info and support - soooo much easier! I have another question - sorry if I'm annoying! When you count your daily carbs do you include your meat in your carb count?

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Question about my goof up!

Oh and thanks so much for the info and support - soooo much easier! I have another question - sorry if I'm annoying! When you count your daily carbs do you include your meat in your carb count?

You count all carbs, no matter the source. Meat, for the most part, has no carbs. Organ meats are an exception (liver, kidneys, heart), so you are limited to 4 ounces a day. Shellfish also have some carbs.

Eggs have carbs, as does all cheese and dairy. This is why the acceptable food list is so important. It takes the guess work out of getting your 20 grams of carbs in.