Question:
Are we supposed to be in ketosis?

After a coworker told me last night that I had ketosis breath (how embarrassing!)I checked my urine for ketones. Negative. I am a nurse and have access to urine dipsticks at work. I checked again this morning. Negative. Now yesterday I had 3 protein drinks at 30 grams of protein each. I also had some soy chicken which is 13 grams and some cheese which is about 10. Also some turkey and crackers which is probably 10 grams or so. That adds up to over 120 grams of protein! And the soy chicken has very little carbs, the drinks have 1 gram or less, the majority of my carbs came from crackers and I didn't have that many. Now I am just confused. With that ratio of protein: carbs shouldn't I be in ketosis? We have some patients who we start seeing ketones in their urine after being in labor and only on ice chips for only 6 hours or so. Can someone help shed some light on this for me? Thanks.    — Nichole B. (posted on May 25, 2002)

May 25, 2002
I think it may be different for everybody. About 3 years ago, I went on Dr. Atkins's diet for about 6 weeks. Because I was obsessive and wanted to lose a good amount of weight, I ate practically no carbs--I usually ate only protein and maybe 5-10 grams of carbs per day. Everyday, I was peeing on this little sticks to see if I was in ketosis, and most days, I was barely in ketosis. Even on days that I ate nothing but protein, I was barely in ketosis. I've been wondering if I'm in ketosis now. I had surgery a little over 2 weeks ago, and I've noticed that my breath is atrocious! Maybe I need to dig around and see if I can find those little sticks! I don't know if my answer helped much, but that's the only experience I've had with checking for ketosis. Since you are eating some carbs, you might not be in ketosis, or at least not in deep ketosis.
   — Kristie B.

May 25, 2002
Are you drinking enough? Once when I was dehydrated, I was dumping ketones and protein into my urine. The doctor at that time wasnt too concerned. Also every time I get a kidney stone, both of these along with the nitrates and wbc's all show up in my urine temporarily. Also, Im not sure that our bodies can store extra protein, so any extra is probably dumped somehow, i.e. your urine. I am a nurse too, but definately not an expert on the subject, just thought I would share what I do know with ya. Good luck!!
   — Cory F.