Metallic taste?

I had it before, it left.... but now it's back. Eating/drinking don't make it go away. What is it? Sheryl In the Zoo

I wish I knew... I've had it occur a few times as well.

Hi Sheryl, The metallic taste is, a good thing believe it or not. It means you are in ketosis. Which means that you are eating high protien and low carb so your body is burning fat. You will be accused of having "dragon breath" by your loved ones....LOL. Congrates for being in ketosis....You are doing everything right!!! God Bless----Toni

What Toni said. kp

Thanks Toni and KP! (Sally, now we know!!!) So while I'm about it, how do I stay in it? I upped my calories and my water, but food hasn't changed much. Will that keep me in this state? I've stumbled into it and not sure how to stay there now. Sheryl In the Zoo

keep your carb intake low to stay in ketosis.

Ok, Jay. So when you say low, what do you define low to be? I typically keep under 30 and haven't been in this state for a while so are we talking under 15? 10? Sheryl In the Zoo

i'm no expert and i think it varies per person but for me i seem to stay in ketosis if i keep it under 40-50 net grams of carbs (carbs minus fiber) per day. They sell ketosis test strips if you're really concerned. The thing is, if you follow your doctor's diet you will be doing right by yourself and whether or not you're in ketosis is really a moot point, you most likely will be but even if not, you're doing right. I can tell you from past experience that Doctor Atkins diet has an induction period of 20 net carbs or less per day because as he states, anyone will be in ketosis if they keep their carbs that low.

Well my surgeon's nut wants me intake 80g of carbs a day and I said NO WAY. I'd like to stay in ketosis for a while longer because my weight loss was slowing down too much even though I was doing as ordered. Thanks Jay! Sheryl In the Zoo

Hi Sheryl, When I was on Atkins, I went into ketosis and lost a ton of weight. I was obsessed about staying in that state. At most pharmacies they sell Ketone strips. You just pee on the strip and match it to the bottle. A real dark purple means you are deep into ketosis and as the color lightens you are in less of that state. I remember getting so excited when it would turn dark. That usually happened when I was eating 20 or less carbs a day, when I was in the induction period. I was just eating meat, eggs, cheese and one salad per day. Those sticks really helped to keep me on track and showed me what the best foods to eat were. I would run out and buy a bottle to monitor yourself. Plus it was motivating to see the strip turn dark, no guessing, you knew you were in ketosis. Good luck! Janet