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Home Keto Diet How to Get Into Ketosis in 24 Hours

How to Get Into Ketosis in 24 Hours

How to Get Into Ketosis in 24 Hours
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Are you intrigued by ketosis? 

Although invented in the 1920s, the keto diet has hit the health industry by storm in recent years. The theory is based upon a significant restriction on carbs and increased fats to generate a metabolic state that triggers the body to burn fat.  

To truly reach a state of ketosis, you need to understand the process. It’s not something you want to go into with little understanding.

With a traditional keto diet, you can expect to enter ketosis in a matter of days. But if you want to speed up the process, it’s going to be incredibly challenging. 

The reality is, ketosis in 24 hours is technically possible. However, it’s not an easy ride. 

Rushing yourself to reach a ketogenic state is not recommended, as you need time to transition. Ketosis should be part of a healthy lifestyle rather than a quick fix in an ideal world.

If you’re ready to get on board with a ketogenic diet, here’s everything you need to know.

What Is Ketosis?

Ketosis is the metabolic state in which your body converts fat into fuel using ketones. Usually, the human body uses carbohydrates for energy, burning through glucose. Without glucose, the body forces itself to burn through stored fat instead.

The process takes place following a drastic reduction in carbohydrate intake, usually through a carb-restricted diet known as the ketogenic diet.

How to Get Into Ketosis in 24 Hours?

Scientifically speaking, the process itself is simple. Achieving ketosis, however, is a different challenge altogether.

At its core, achieving ketosis is through a combination of fasting and exercising. Fasting means cutting out food for a limited time to allow the body to burn the glucose stored in the body. When there is no access to glucose, the system creates ketone bodies used as an alternative fuel.

With ketones, the body breaks down fat for energy instead of using sugar glucose like normal. So, glucose depletion is vital. 

Getting into ketosis in just one day requires strict action, mental composure, and a serious commitment to the method. For the fastest transformation, you must up your physical activity, cut out the carbs, and ultimately, begin fasting immediately. 

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How to Know if You’re in Ketosis?

If you’ve started a keto diet, you want to know if your efforts are paying off as soon as possible. Knowing the initial signs of ketosis will ensure you recognize your progress and stay motivated to keep it up.

As your body enters ketosis, it can be a confusing time. There are several indications that you are reaching a ketogenic state. Here are 3 telltale signs of ketosis to expect. 

#1 Ketones detected

The most reliable way to determine if you have reached ketosis is to measure your ketone levels. Start by measuring ketone levels through blood samples using a blood ketone meter for best results. You can also test for ketones through your urine and breath.

At-home testing kits are available to buy, with variations designed to test your urine, breath, and blood ketone levels. Alternatively, you can have your doctor carry out a test. 

#2 Bad breath


Bad breath is a negative but all-too-common side effect of ketosis. The reason for this is acetone, a chemical produced by your body during ketosis. The odor is regularly described as sweet and fruity. While unattractive, it is a good sign that your body is adapting. 

#3 Weight loss

Most people partake in a keto diet to lose excess weight. When there are no carbs for your body to burn, it turns to stored fat instead. You will likely drop the most significant weight within the first days of a ketogenic diet as your body’s water reduces.

What to Eat to Get Into Ketosis Fast? 

To get into ketosis, a strict, low carbohydrate diet is required that focuses on fats. Most ketogenic diets suggest consuming 70–80% fat, 5–10% carbohydrate, and 10–20% protein for your total daily calories.

Unlike other popular low-carb diets, the ketogenic diet doesn’t up your protein intake. However, high levels of protein can prevent ketosis from occurring. The diet uses protein in just the right amount to preserve muscle mass without reducing the effects of ketosis. 

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While the keto plan varies between sources, all restrict carbohydrates. Carbohydrates include bread, pasta, rice, and starchy vegetables like corn and potato. Your go-to meals are typically out of bounds on a keto diet. 

To give you an idea of what to expect, think high fat, moderate protein, and low carb. Depending on the program you follow, the foods below are generally accepted.

✅ Butter, lard

✅ Oils including olive, palm, avocado oil, and coconut oil

✅ Avocados

✅ Nuts and seeds

✅ Poultry 

✅ Fatty meats such as grass-fed beef, pork, and bacon

✅ Eggs, cheese 

✅ Non-starchy vegetables including all leafy greens, broccoli, and cauliflower

✅ Keto-friendly fruits like berries and watermelon

✅ Unsweetened tea and coffee

✅ Dark chocolate

Most nutrition plans will avoid:

✅ Starchy vegetables like potatoes, squash, and parsnips

✅ Fruit juices

✅ Legumes – beans, peas, lentils, and peanuts

The above is typical of what to expect when following a keto program. However, if you’re genuinely looking to reach ketosis in 24 hours, you’re not going to need these foods. Instead, the diet must be completely modified, and thus, revolves around fasting. 

What to Eat to Get Into Ketosis Fast?
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Fasting forces your body to create ketone bodies. Ultimately, to reach ketosis, you shouldn’t eat at all in those 24 hours. Fasting is the move to take if you want to achieve ketosis faster. 

Before attempting fasting, you should first educate yourself on intermittent fasting

It’s important to note that entering a ketosis plan following a carb-rich diet will make the task extremely difficult. While not impossible, it will have a more drastic effect on your body’s reaction to the change. 

When carbs are still present in your system, the result can be a mental and physical crash. Alternatively, suppose you already follow a low-carb diet filled with greens and a moderate protein intake. In that case, the move to ketosis should be more accessible, especially if you’re trying to do it as quickly as possible.

Is It Good for Your Body to Be in Ketosis?

The ketogenic diet brings many health benefits, although it is not safe for everyone. Further research is required, but studies so far reveal the following advantages.

Advantages of being in ketosisDescription

Weight loss
Perhaps the most significant benefit and the most popular reason behind trying ketosis is that it promotes weight loss. Many people report feeling less hungry while on the keto diet, compared with other diets which restrict certain food groups.

Fatty foods take longer to process through the body, which helps you stay full for longer. Restricting carbs can also reduce your calorie intake overall. In following the method, your body reaches a point where it has no choice but to burn through fat.  

Reduced seizuresEvidence suggests that a keto diet can help reduce and control seizures in children with epilepsy, although further research is yet to determine the full effects on neurological disorders.
Managed diabetes
Some studies suggest that following a ketogenic diet can improve blood sugar levels, a health benefit for those with type 2 diabetes. However, the diet is considered unsustainable in the long term, and therefore not a solution to managing diabetes. 

The decision to experience ketosis is personal, and those with diabetes should discuss it with a doctor before starting it.

Negative effects of being in ketosis

As with any restrictive diet, there are adverse side effects. It’s certainly not suitable for everyone, and you should weigh the pros and cons before beginning a new program. Keto flu is an expected reaction, although it does not affect everyone.

Keto flu

Keto flu is the term given to the immediate symptoms when you first enter ketosis. Symptoms like the flu include headaches, fever, fatigue, irritability, and sleep struggles.

Although not a recognized medical condition, it is widely reported by those partaking in ketosis. Symptoms typically appear in the first few days of changing your diet. The body needs time to adjust to a new way of functioning, so a gradual move to ketosis is recommended.  

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The best way to manage flu-like symptoms is to keep on top of your water intake. Glucose depletion leads to water loss, including electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium, essential to your health.

Drink plenty to ensure your body retains enough water to function correctly and avoid dehydration and loss of minerals.

How Long Does It Take to Lose Weight When You’re in Ketosis?

If weight loss is your primary goal, you’re probably wondering how fast ketosis is going to work. Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed answer. 

Every individual that takes on ketosis may experience different results. A range of factors can impact your success, including your diet before nutritional ketosis, how your body reacts to the change, and how well you stick to it. We don’t want to sugarcoat it; the keto diet is hard.

Your current health and food choices can determine your weight loss. 

Your overall health 

Your current health plays an essential role in losing weight through ketosis. For instance, if you are overweight, you may shed pounds quicker at the start. But many variants can slow down the process.

Things like cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and any issues with your metabolism can reduce your ability to lose weight. However, this doesn’t mean you must give up on ketosis. It’s ok to slow down and await long-term goals.

Your food choices

As there are so many keto diets out there, it’s essential to choose one suitable for you. With that in mind, it’s necessary to find a program that focuses on clean foods.

As the keto diet promotes a high-fat content, it can be easy to indulge in junk food. While remaining within the realms of ketogenic eating, it’s not going to give you the best shot at shedding excess weight. 

It will help if you continue to eat clean keto foods that provide healthy fats rather than processed ones. Avocados, MCT oil, and fatty fish are considered good fats. Try to avoid bad keto foods like processed meats and cheeses. You should remain on the lookout for hidden carbs too! 

Stick to keto-friendly foods that will nourish your body at the same time. Don’t forget to consume lots of green vegetables too.

Also, you cannot rely on a nutrition plan without exercising. Getting active is crucial to losing weight and reaching that desired metabolic state. 

It’s unlikely that with a 24-hour keto journey, you will lose a significant amount of weight. However, in the first few days, most dieters see noticeable changes. Generally, this is a result of water loss. A reduction in carbs allows your body to release water, as it no longer needs to be stored for glucose.

Water weight loss can be dramatic, so it’s important to consume extra water throughout your plan to avoid an electrolyte imbalance.

A sustainable health goal is to drop one to three pounds per week in terms of weight loss. With keto, results are more likely to be seen gradually. Your body must adjust and transform to the keto way, soon becoming more efficient at burning fuel through fat. 

A Word From Our RD

Keto is a lifestyle choice that many undertake to adopt healthy, long-term habits. 

Ketosis is a metabolic state that forces the body to convert fat into fuel. It occurs when carb intake is reduced and therefore limits access to glucose. 

Thus, ketones are produced and used as an alternative energy source to fuel the body. Ultimately, the premise alters how you burn energy through a low-carb, high-fat diet. 

When getting started with keto, you can expect a challenging journey ahead. As your body reacts to the rapid reduction in carbohydrate consumption, it’s not uncommon to experience negative side effects. Symptoms can resemble the flu, which dieters label keto flu. Stomach upset is widespread among keto dieters, too. 

Keto flu can be handled by drinking lots of water and eating foods that nourish you. The typical keto plan consists of 75% fat, 20% protein, and only 5% carbohydrates. While you have the freedom to consume fatty foods, try to avoid bad fats, like fried foods and processed meats. 

This kind of change can be drastic for many people. If you’re considering joining the keto club, be sure to consult a doctor beforehand. It is imperative if you have any medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or conditions affecting the liver, kidneys, and gallbladder.

So, consult a professional before embarking on your keto adventure, especially if you’re seeking to get into ketosis fast. 

How long does it take to get into ketosis? The bottom line

Overall, you can achieve ketosis in a short time with a lot of willpower. It’s not plain sailing, and many dieters fail to sustain the keto way of living. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a go, as many participants see great results. With any diet, it’s all about finding a balance that works for you.

Now that you know how to get into ketosis, you might want to consider taking the gradual route. The experience won’t be as stressful, allowing for a more comfortable transition. Without the extreme pressure of watching the clock, you can reap the benefits of ketosis more healthily.

Written by
Edibel Quintero, MD

Edibel Quintero is a medical doctor who graduated in 2013 from the University of Zulia and has been working in her profession since then. She specializes in obesity and nutrition, physical rehabilitation, sports massage and post-operative rehabilitation. Edibel's goal is to help people live healthier lives by educating them about food, exercise, mental wellness and other lifestyle choices that can improve their quality of life.

How to Get Into Ketosis in 24 Hours

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