Atkins expects there to be more ketones in the evening because most of us use the greater part of our energy during the day. So more fat would be burned and more ketones be present for testing.

At the same time, I have read that you should test about 4 times on one day after you are in ketosis to find out when YOU put out the highest level of ketones.

And above all, just use the stix as very inaccurate inidication that you ARE or are NOT in ketosis. Don't obsess about HOW pink or purple. I lost 40 pounds while staying only pale pink.

At the Aktins Center in NYC, they don't even consider the stix as accurate. Patients breathe into a machine which records the ketones in the breath, since MANY more leave the body by that method.