How To Get Into Ketosis With Atkins
By: Whole Health Emporium
Tags: Weight Loss, Health, Healthcare, Keto, Weight Loss Tips

by Richard | Dec 17, 2021 |

This article is from www.wholehealthemporium.com and may contain affiliate links.

Atkins, paleo, keto, cabbage soup, and so many other diets come into popularity because of their rapid weight loss results.

Some diets are different, but some are similar with minor difference.

The basic principle of the Atkins diet is that a state of ketosis will help you burn your fat stores as energy.

Many people, even those who are on low carbohydrate diets, don’t quite understand ketosis and why it works.

Many diets are focused on calorie-reduction, which can be effective for some.

They help you lose weight, but some of the weight is from fat and some of it is from lean muscle tissue.

While the scale may show you some different numbers, your metabolism is actually slowing down.

The more muscle you lose the slower your metabolism will be.

This makes losing weight more difficult and gaining weight back even simpler.

If you’re looking for an extra boost to kick you into ketosis — these supplements are excellent!

How Does The Atkins Diet Achieve Ketosis?

The Atkins diet, on the other hand, is carbohydrate restrictive. It creates a state of ketosis in your body that burns only fat, and not muscle.

“The Atkins diet has four phases;

1. The induction phase,

2. Balancing phase,

3. Pre-maintenance phase

4. The long-term maintenance phase.”

The primary source of your energy for your body will be fat in the form of ketones.

Your liver will convert fat into ketones and it cannot be converted back. It will be excreted naturally.

Ketones are actual a normally and efficient source of fuel for the human body.

They are created in the liver from the fatty acids that result from the breakdown of body fat.

These only appear when there is an absence of glucose and sugar.

In the Atkins diet, you reduce the amount of glucose and sugar that is in the bloodstream.

As a result, your body produces ketones for fuel. When your body is creating ketones it is called ketosis.

There is a common misconception that following a ketogenic diet like Atkins is dangerous.

The truth is that being in ketosis is a completely naturally state. The human body creates ketones to use as fuel in the absence of glucose.

Ketone Testing Strips

In the Atkins diet book, Dr. Atkins suggests using ketone-testing strips to determine your state of ketosis during dieting.

These small plastic strips are held in the urine stream and contain a special chemically treated absorptive pad.

This pad will change color if ketones are present in the urine. With the presence of ketones, the strip will change varying shades of pink to purple.

There is a color scale on the label of the bottle that will help you determine your ketone levels.

Where To Find Ketone Strips

Ketone strips are available in any pharmacy and can be found among the diabetic supplies.

In some stores, they are kept behind the counter so you may have to ask for them. You won’t need a prescription to buy them though.

Once you open a package of ketosis strips they have a shelf life of 6 months. It may be helpful to mark the opening date on the box.

How Useful Are Ketone Strips?

Ketone strips will let you know if you are progressing correctly on the Atkins diet. If you are following the Induction plan to the letter and aren’t seeing purple, don’t worry.

Some people never show trace amounts of ketones or they may show just above the minimum line.

As long as you are losing weight and inches then you are successfully using ketones. Also, if you’ve just exercised a few hours before using the strips, you may not see purple.

Watch Out For Dehydration

Some dieters may mistakenly believe that a dark purple result on the testing strips means that they are losing weight faster.

Actually, the darkest purple color is a sign of dehydration. It means that your urine is too concentrated and you need to drink water.

Ketones come from fat in the bloodstream, whether it is fat that you eat or fat that you burn. So if you eat a meal heavy in fat and then immediately use a testing strip, then you’ll see a dark purple result. Use the strips as a guide, but don’t get hung up on the color.

Also watch out for the keto flu — click here to learn how you can beat the keto flu!

Supplements

Thousands of people who have had success with the atkins and/or keto diet find supplementing with additional vitamins is beneficial for their journey.

Also adding certain Superfoods like spirulina or chlorella can help boost your energy levels, detox, help with weight loss, and give clarity of mind without knocking you out of ketosis.

Conclusion

Reaching a state of ketosis is the key to success on the Atkins diet. Eliminating carbohydrates from the diet will help you in this process.

Make sure to follow the eating plan correctly and use the ketone testing strips as needed.

Supplements and superfoods can significantly help you during your in the process

Thank you for reading!

What was has your journey with the atkins and/or keto diet been like? Please share your comments with us below!

Edited by Pauline D. and Richard Tracy

Works Cited

“The Atkins Diet: Benefits, Risks and What to Eat — Health Guide.” .Ro.co. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2021.

Amazon.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2021.