What My Blood Test Taught Me About Eating Better (And Why I Think Everyone Should Measure Their Health)

By Ashley John Heather, Co-Founder of Honest Plate

If you had asked me ten years ago how healthy I was, I probably would have answered the same way most people do - "Pretty healthy."

I exercised.I wasn't overweight.I tried to eat reasonably well. But here's the problem.

Feeling healthy isn't the same as measuring your health.

The most important changes happening inside your body are usually invisible. Your arteries don't tell you they're getting healthier. Your liver doesn't send you a thank-you card. Your metabolism doesn't congratulate you after a healthy dinner. And because most of us only get blood work once a year during a routine doctor's visit, it's incredibly difficult to connect today's choices with tomorrow's health. That changed for me this summer.

Why I Started Measuring More Often

I've been fascinated by longevity and healthspan for years.

Not just living longer...

...but living better.

I want to stay active, energetic and mentally sharp for as many years as possible. My stretch goal is to ski and play tennis on my 100th birthday! And importantly not just by myself, but with friends and family around me.

To help me reach this goal, like many people, I listen to podcasts, read research papers, follow experts, and experiment with different lifestyle habits. But one thing kept bothering me.

How do you know what's actually working?

Without measurements, you're mostly guessing. So I started using Rhythm, an at-home blood testing service that lets you track your biomarkers every month instead of waiting for an annual physical. (You can learn more at https://rythmhealth.com/)

That simple change completely changed how I think about nutrition.

Then Honest Plate Launched in Park City

During Covid, my family and I left New York, and by accident landed in Park City, Utah. Six years later (time flies) we are still here and so finally had time to launch Honest Plate here with partners Jerry and Jill Cambell.

For the past 60 days, roughly 90% of my meals have been Honest Plate meals. No calorie counting. No fad diet. No complicated meal prep.

Just consistently eating meals built around:

• lean proteins

• lots of vegetables

• healthy fats

• quality carbohydrates

• minimal processed ingredients

Exactly the way we designed Honest Plate to be. And then I tested again.

The Results Surprised Me

One number immediately stood out.

My triglycerides.

June 7, 2026

145 mg/dL

Thirty days later:

88 mg/dL

Thirty days after that:

64 mg/dL

That's a 55% reduction in just two months.

Data from Honest Plate Co-Founder, Ashley John Heather

While everyone's body responds differently, seeing a measurable improvement like this was incredibly motivating.

Not because I was chasing one specific number, but because it confirmed something important.

Consistently eating better was creating measurable improvements inside my body.

What Are Triglycerides Anyway?

Triglycerides are a type of fat circulating in your bloodstream.

After you eat, your body stores extra calories as triglycerides to use later for energy. The problem comes when those levels stay elevated.

High triglycerides are associated with:

• increased cardiovascular risk

• insulin resistance

• metabolic syndrome

• fatty liver disease

Keeping triglycerides in a healthy range is one indicator of good metabolic health.

Why Did They Improve?

I can't say it was only Honest Plate.

Health is never that simple.

Over the same period I was also:

✔ exercising consistently

✔ sleeping better

✔ drinking less alcohol

✔ making healthier choices overall

But here's the key. Nutrition became dramatically easier.

Instead of asking myself three times a day:

"What should I eat?"

The decision was already made.

Good nutrition became the default.

And I think that's one of the biggest advantages of meal planning done well. Consistency beats perfection. Every time.

The Feedback Loop Most People Never See

Here's what fascinates me. Imagine if every month you could actually see what your lifestyle was doing inside your body. Instead of waiting a year... You could make one small improvement.

Test again. Adjust. Repeat.

It's exactly the same way athletes improve performance.

Or businesses improve results.

Or pilots fly airplanes.

Measure. Adjust. Measure again.

Without data, we're all just guessing.

Healthspan Isn't Built in One Meal

One salad won't change your health. Neither will one cheeseburger. Health isn't built meal by meal. It's built pattern by pattern. The meals you eat most often become your metabolism.

Your cholesterol.

Your blood sugar.

Your inflammation.

Your future.

When healthy eating becomes easy enough to repeat week after week, that's where the magic happens.

You Don't Need to Become a Biohacker

People often think longevity requires expensive supplements, complicated routines or elite athletes' discipline. In reality, the biggest improvements usually come from the basics in these 6 pillars of Longevity.

Better Nutrition.

More Movement.

Managing Stress.

Improving Sleep.

Reducing Toxins.

Fostering Connection.

If you can consistently improve those four areas, you're already ahead of most people.

Everything else is optimization.

My Challenge to You

Whether you cook at home or already use Honest Plate...measure your progress.

Get baseline blood work either from Rhythm or your Primary Care Doctor. Retest in 60 or 90 days. See what changes. Your body is responding to every meal you eat.

The question is...Are you paying attention?

Small Changes. Big Impact.

Two months ago my triglycerides were 145 mg/dL. Today they're 64 mg/dL. More importantly, I've built habits that I believe I'll still be benefiting from years from now.

That's what Honest Plate has always been about.

Not dieting.

Not restriction.

Not perfection.

Just making healthy eating so convenient and delicious that the better choice becomes the easy choice. Because longevity isn't built in dramatic moments. It's built one honest plate at a time. I encourage you (and your family) to join me in this journey and working together see how quickly you can improve your own health.