Ketostix: What are Ketostix and how do I use them?

What are Ketostix?

Simply put, Ketostix are small, thin plastic strips with a small reagent area on them.  When Ketostix are dipped in urine (or passed through a stream of urine), the reagent area changes color to indicate the amount of ketones that are present in your urine.  This is an important indicator for those on ketogenic diets because it lets us know that our body has adapted to ketosis and we are doing the diet right.

Do I need to buy Ketostix?

Yes and no.  Ketostix serve two very important functions for ketogenic dieters:

• Troubleshooting:  Beginners find Ketostix useful because it is an indicator that they are doing the ketogenic diet correctly and have indeed limited their carbohydrate consumption sufficiently to force the body into ketosis, thereby starting the process of burning fat for energy instead of carbohydrates.  More advanced keto dieters use the strips to help figure out exactly how many carbohydrates they can eat before they are kicked out of ketosis.  It can also help determine how different foods affect one’s ability to stay in ketosis.  For example, some people’s bodies can handle sugar alcohols without having trouble staying in ketosis, and Ketostix can help diagnose this.
• Psychological Motivation:  Quite simply, it feels great seeing Ketostix turn purple.  It’s a little bit of positive reinforcement that those of us on keto diets sometimes require to keep us motivated.  It might seem stupid to some, but committing to a ketogenic diet is not always an easy task, and some “proof” that your body truly is burning fat can sometimes be the little push we need to put another slice of bacon on the skillet, so to speak.

Ketostix are available at most pharmacies such as Walgreen’s or Duane Reade, but I prefer to purchase Ketostix online, typically via Amazon.  I have found that Amazon’s prices are cheaper than my local pharmacy, and I love the convenience of having them shipped right to my door.

If you choose to pick up Ketostix from your local pharmacy, you shouldn’t have much trouble getting them.  Most pharmacists will recognize the brand name Ketostix (made by Bayer).  If you have trouble finding this specific brand, or if the pharmacist isn’t familiar with the product, try asking for:

- Ketone Testing Strips
- Ketone Test Trips
- Ketone Urinalysis Strips
- Lipolysis Test Strips
- Urinalysis Reagent Test Strips