If you haven’t heard by now, the keto diet is quickly gaining popularity in the world of health and nutrition. A strict low-carb, high-fat diet, this type of nutritional plan forces the body into a state known as ketosis. When in this state, the body uses fat (converted into ketones) for its primary source of energy. As you can imagine, maintaining such a rigid diet requires individuals to carefully monitor their meals and keep a close eye on how their bodies are responding.

Ketone test strips are the easiest way to do so at a low cost. To get your results from this colorimetric urinalysis test, you simply match the color of your test strip to a color on the provided chart to determine your ketone levels. In less than a minute, you have your answer. With this information, users can get an accurate idea of how their body is reacting to the keto diet, and if they are in or approaching a healthy ketogenic state.

If you’re ready to get started, check out our shopping guide and recommendations to find the right ketone test strips for you.

Analysis type

Most keto urine test strips on the market will only measure and report on the body’s overall keto levels and nothing more. However, there are some test strips that will provide insight into a bit more, like a user’s pH levels, glucose levels, and other health indicators. If you’re looking to monitor something other than keto levels, keep in mind that these advanced urine test strips should not be confused with keto systems, which use blood-testing strips for analysis.

Testing Schedule

For optimum results, no matter what brand you decide on, you’ll want to consider setting a testing schedule. To achieve the best results, managing yourself, especially when it comes to dieting, requires consistency. In order for you to make the most out of your keto test strips, try testing yourself at the same time every day, week, or month. This makes tracking your progress much more organized and easier to understand.

Quantity

Ketone test strips come in packs ranging from 50 to 200 test strips, and some brands even offer multipacks. So, if you’re going to be keeping an extra close eye on your ketone levels, be sure to stock up. Test strips expire within three to six months after being opened, so plan your testing schedule accordingly.

Though many of the test strips will offer the same functionality, some products will feature additional add-ons to make testing safer, more accurate, and more convenient.

Accessories

Some ketone test strips are packaged with disposable cups. These cups can make collecting a urine sample much easier. Other brands may package their strips in convenient vials that are also meant to make collecting samples cleaner and safer.

Testing Kits

Advanced keto testing kits offer a more robust way of testing ketones. The significant difference is that they typically provide ketone analysis through the use of a small blood sample. They’ll usually come complete with a digital monitoring device, a lancing device, and blood strips.

Inexpensive: You’ll find that the majority of the ketone test strip products are in the $5 to $10 range, especially if you’re looking for an accessory-free pack of 50. If you’re new to the keto diet or keto testing, start with these until you decide if you would like to test more frequently.

Mid-range: Quantity plays a major role in pricing, and products in the $10 to $15 price range will typically offer you 100 to 200 test strips. They may also be packaged with a more detailed chart to monitor your levels and extra sampling accessories, such as disposable cups.

Expensive: For $15 and up, you’ll get both quantity and quality. Packs of 150 to 200 test strips as well as multipacks can be found in this price range. Also, test strips in this range will often give a more detailed analysis (such as what your pH levels are).

Again, the main thing to remember about the keto diet is that you must maintain a healthy level of ketosis within your body. During ketosis, your body converts fat into its main energy source. The concept is relatively simple, but execution and consistency can be tricky. Here are a few tips to effectively keep your body in ketosis:

• Test ketones and adjust. Properly maintaining ketosis varies from individual to individual. The best way to zero in on what regimen works for you is to regularly test your ketone levels to make sure you’re reaching your goals. Make adjustments in your diet until your body is safely reacting the way you need it to.

• Exercise. Studies show that exercise can help get your body into ketosis. This is because, when it’s time for your body to replenish itself after working out, if carb intake is low, your body will increase its production of ketones to feed the muscles.

• Fasting. Intermittent fasting or fat-fasting is another great way to boost ketone levels. In fact, working out in a fasted state has been shown to greatly increase overall ketone levels in the body. Many keto dieters practice fasting between breakfast and dinner, and when they do eat, they get 90% of their calories from fat. However, be sure to monitor extended periods of fasting to prevent loss of muscle and other negative effects.

There are many different ketone test strip brands on the market, so, naturally, we couldn’t highlight them all. However, there are a couple of products that are still worth mentioning, even though they didn’t make the final cut. The KeyHealth KēStrips are another low cost and effective product that we considered. This upgraded version is FDA-registered and comes in a dual pack of 100 ketone test strips along with 100 more urine sample cups for clean and easy testing. The TRUEplus® Ketone Test Strips come in packs of 50 or 100 and offer a straightforward six-level color chart to read your results. The easy-to-use test strips come in a flip-top vial and can deliver a quick and accurate reading with or without the use of a cup.

Q. Is there a way to extend the shelf life of any unused keto test strips?

A. All ketone test strips will have an expiration date, and they will lose effectiveness over time. If you want to extend their shelf life, try keeping them refrigerated.

Q. Do I need to dip the strip into a cup for it to work properly?

A. Users of ketone test strips can either urinate into a cup and then dip their strips into the cup, or they can pee directly onto the ketone strip. Both methods will work.

Q. Is there an ideal time of day to test?

A. While you certainly can test anytime, some studies reveal that the ideal time of day is in the early morning or in the evening after dinner.