If you have questions about ketosis, ketone levels, using exogenous ketones, glucose and ketone testing and all that jazz… you’ll LOVE this video!
Dorian and his wife (Mr & Mrs Mojo!) are the coolest, smartest and most resourceful people. They’re the couple behind Keto Mojo. I so enjoyed chatting “ketones & ketosis” with them at the Metabolic Health Summit last week.
Fortunately I was able to get Mr Mojo himself live on video to share some of that great information with you too!
Live with “Mr Mojo” on Ketone Testing & Ketosis
Candid discussion about ketone testing and ketosis with the founder of Keto Mojo including the use of exogenous ketones and varying glucose & ketone test results.
The Keto Mojo Ketone Testing Meter (that’s our 15% off discount link) is the gadget I use to test my glucose & ketone levels when I do my “6 Day Clean Testing” product reviews on keto products for you. 😉
Main Points Covered In The Video:
[0:39] My biggest take-away from the MHS event: “context”
“There are NO hard and fast rules for keto!”
[1:03] What is Bio-Individuality?
“Why do our ketone tests all give us different numbers?”
[2:05] Finding Your Baseline: Your Base Glucose & Ketone Levels
Note: This is our 15% off discount link for the Keto Mojo testing kit.
“One ingredient or food may affect you differently than other people.”
[5:30] Why would a food produce no glycemic response (not affect glucose levels) yet still tank my ketone levels?
* I may have to backtrack on this statement about the Quest Pizza – more on that below. 😉
[6:38] You can only manage what you can measure.
[8:05] So if it’s not the food or ingredient that’s the problem, and it’s YOU… what next?
How do we start to determine what to eat, what NOT to eat, what to test – and how to go about that testing process?
[8:36] The context: Internal and External factors that affect Ketosis. Gut flora, microbiome, environment, etc…
Taking all the factors into consideration.
[12:10] What is the next step to figuring out your individual intolerances or issues?
The process of elimination, aka elimination diets.
[14:30] Health Issues, Gut Flora, Microbiome – How They Affect Ketosis & Weight Loss
Figuring out what to test and what to do next vs following extreme elimination trends.
[17:50] Data & tracking is key, otherwise you’re just guessing.
[18:10] Just Starting vs Long Term Keto
There’s a lot you DON’T need to worry about when you’re just starting out!
[21:18] Do your Ketone Levels really matter? Is higher better than lower?
What’s the difference between an athlete that reads 0.5 and a sedentary housewife that measures 2.5 ketones?
“Don’t go chasing ketones, chase RESULTS.”
[24:37] Keto is not “one size fits all” – You have to find what works for you.
[25:04] Are exogenous ketones bogus? Should you take them or not?
Exogenous ketones have their place in therapeutic practices (cancer patients, epilepsy, dementia, etc) but they have NO effect on weight loss and they do NOT put you in true nutritional ketosis. They’re simply an expensive “energy drink” with a very temporary effect.
All you end up with is expensive pee. (lol) 🙂
[29:30] How does Keto Mojo compare to Precision Xtra or other meters?
[31:00] Urine Ketone Testing Strips
[32:47] Higher Ketone Levels for EGO purposes (don’t fall victim to that!)
[33:30] Using Collagen Protein, Building Muscle & Burning Fat
Build muscle in the gym, burn fat in the kitchen. 😉
[35:30] Why Selfies Are The Best Tool for Monitoring Progress
Closing points:
KNOW What works for you. Get as many data points as you can.
Also see:
4 Ways to Improve Your Ketone Levels for Optimal Weight Loss & More Energy
I mentioned in the video that the Quest Pizza knocked me out of ketosis while I was at the event, but I *may* have to backtrack on that statement.
I realized in hindsight that I hadn’t tested my ketone levels otherwise that day, and while I didn’t eat anything questionable (just steak & avocado before that) – I’d like to test the Quest products again while I’m at home and NOT traveling.
Dorian’s talk on both internal AND external factors, and our earlier conversation about traveling raising cortisol levels, piqued my interest – and made me want to retest those products in my usual environment.
I actually really LIKED the Quest Pizza and the Quest Chips (the new ones). I haven’t tried their new bars or cookies yet, but stay tuned as I review their newest product line – for both flavor, texture AND glucose/ketone response. 😉
Thoughts or Questions on Ketosis or Ketone Testing?
Do you have a Keto Mojo testing kit, or do you test glucose or ketone levels at all. Why or why not, and if so – how do you test, and how often do you test?
If you’d like to get one, this is our 15% off discount link for the Keto Mojo kit.
Have you tried the newer Quest products?
Did you like them, NOT like them, have a response to them at all?
Leave a comment and let’s chat!:)
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
Discount Code: LOWCARBTRAVELER
I like the BBQ protein chips. Its the crunch I love.Netrition.com lets you order single item so you can try. I then gone back and order a case.
I love that about Netrition! It’s really nice to be able to buy singles of a variety of different products so you can try different flavors to see what you like best.
I loved their new super light chips, they have such a great “chip crisp” to them! I haven’t tested them yet though, so I’m interested to put their new line of bars and snacks through glucose & ketone testing. π
I used to love the plain protein chips, but it seems they discontinued them awhile ago. The flavored ones taste too “fake” to me. I’d love to try the pizza but holy moly they are expensive!
Those were the chips I did NOT like. π lol. Funny how we all have different taste & texture preferences!
The pizza was good. I was impressed when I bit into it because I assumed it was a different brand – the one with the chicken based crust that I don’t like. It was better than the Atkins low carb pizza, but still a load of ingredients!
I definitely want to retest that one. It didn’t raise my glucose levels or produce an insulin spike, but it did drop ketone levels – not just for me but for others that ate it too. But again there were a lot of variables involved that night (wine for some, not for me) – so I’m anxious to retest it!
This is off topic but, is the Lolli’s granola supposed to be crunchy? I bought the cinnamon pecan and gingerbread cookie varieties, they were delivered today. They taste fine but are fairly soft chunks, I was expecting the typical granola crunch. Have you had the same experience or did your granola crunch? Thanks !
Hi Kris π
I’ve always described it as being like fresh baked cookies straight out of the oven. That’s what it reminds me of! I often mix it with pecans or salted macadamia nuts if I want a sweet & salty fix, or cookie & crunchy texture. Plus it helps a serving or two go a long way. π
I believe I read on her Facebook page, that when you place in the refrigerator they become hardened. Haven’t tested that theory as I love them in the softer state. so delicious, I like them better than many of the other artisinal granolas out there, but a little expensive for the amount in the bag. I tried the Gra-pow as well (which is good) but Lollies hands down is the best. So regardless of the $$, I will keep purchasing, and hopefully catch them while she runs specials.
Lynn, I just got my Mojo Keto meter in the mail the other day. I looked through the manual, but was curious to know when (time of day / around meals) do you check your levels and how often. And I s there a good time to get my βbaselineβ?
Iβm new to this – never checked blood levels for anything like this, so I really want to do it right and not waste strips. π
Hi Wendy,
I watched the short video clips on their website when I first got mine, those were really helpful!
Dorian says test an hour or so after you wake up to get your morning reading. That will usually be the lowest ketone reading of the day. Then in the beginning you can test an hour before and an hour after each meal – to get an idea of your baseline / normal levels.
I eat the same meals a lot, so I otherwise only test when I am trying something new (a restaurant food, Starbucks order, keto product, etc) – or if I feel off.
Everyone’s levels are different like he explained in the video, but it’s such a great tool to find out which foods affect you and how – and to identify “food culprits” that are affecting your weight loss or health.
Thanks for the info Lynn!! π I’ll watch some more videos and do a little more research. In the meantime, I tested a little bit ago – an hour-ish after dinner, and reading 0.9! yay! π Not bad for after a meal, I suppose! I appreciate you and all your info on a continuous basis!
Thank you! π Yes, I find it VERY interesting and such a great tool. The key being to find out what’s norm for YOU, and not to think higher or lower ketone levels really mean anything significant – compared to others I mean. Only compared to your own baseline after testing certain foods. π
Could you please stop using the “sedentary housewife” as an example of a sedentary lifestyle? I have been a very sedentary dentist for the last 30 years and am trying to not be. I know so many housewives who are not sedentary. As a female, this stereotype bothers me. I have heard you use it in videos as well. How about “sedentary househusband”? π
Hi Terry π What is it that bothers you about that term? Curious! I was actually referring to myself and I am neither a wife nor a housewife – I am a woman who works from home with a very sedentary lifestyle, unless I actively exercise.
My husband, who left us almost 20 years ago, was a househusband. π He never worked (much) and stayed home with the kids while I did back then.
Anyway, I should stop using the term in reference to myself because I’m not a wife or a stay at home / homemaker myself – so I’ll have to come up with a new word for that comparison. π
It wasn’t meant to be any type of derogatory statement (obviously, I was describing myself!) or stereotype, just a means of making a point of comparison.
Hi Lynn,
I know you did not mean it in any derogatory way. It is a sexist stereotype and I guess it just jumped out at me because I have heard you use it more than once. Probably the term “sedentary person” is more neutral. Women’s work in the home has been undervalued and dismissed. Running a home is a tremendous amount of work. I am no longer married, but I have children and a career and business that I run. Housework is hard!!.I just think we do housewives a disservice when we stereotype them as sedentary.
Thanks for your response. And thanks for the info on the keto-mojo.
You’re right, it’s a total oxymoron lol – I hadn’t even considered that! And of course I’m anything but a housewife myself, like I said. π
I know this is a bit off track topic. But is there any other way and effective to measure ketones level?
Hi Nova,
There is a breath meter I’ve seen people talk about, but I don’t know how effective that is to measuring the ketones IN your blood. I prefer using this meter for blood glucose & ketone testing, which is as accurate as you can get.