If you need proof that "you are what you eat", you will be shocked at the results of an experiment conducted by Good Morning America staff at the University of Maryland Medical Center. This experiment shows the impact of what you eat on the bloodstream and arteries in your body.
Two GMA participants had their blood tested and arteries ultrasound tested, which showed them both to be of good health. Medical center staff then compared the fat content of their blood before a high calorie, high fat meal and 2 hours after the meal was consumed. The GMA staffers each consumed deep-fried macaroni and cheese appetizer, a quesilla cheeseburger and topped it off with a brownie sundae for a whoppiing 6,000 calories and 187 grams saturated fat. As you can see from the video, the blood sample 2 hours after the meal showed significant fat content when compared to the blood sample before the meal.
In comparison, the GMA staff did another experiment to see what the impact of eating a healthy meal would do to the blood samples. Once again, blood samples were taken and fat content measured before the meal. This time the meal consisted of grilled salmon, soybeans, cooked vegetables and a shared piece of apple pie, about 2000 calories and 3 grams of saturated fat. Once again, looking at the video, the difference in the fat content in the blood before the meal and 2 hours after the meal was barely visible. In addition, when doing another ultrasound of the arteries, they had expanded after the healthy meal - by as much effect as going for a run!!!
While it is true that we typically don't eat a 6000 calorie, high saturated fat meal (or do we?), the fact that what we do eat impacts the bloodstream and arteries so dramatically is a bit daunting. So the next time you start to put something high fat, high calorie into your mouth, picture in your mind what your blood sample might look like afterwards and re-consider your choices before it goes into your mouth.
If you are looking for a healthier alternative to high calorie, high fat meals, take a look at protein-powered meal replacement shakes. My personal favorite is a high protein chocolate drink mix made with ice water, which has 15 grams of heart-healthy soy protein, 7 grams of carbohydrates and lots of vitamins and minerals. Add to that, healthy meal nutritional shake mix - French vanilla flavor, which boosts the protein by another 20 grams, has 24 vitamins and minerals, calcium, antioxidants of a serving of fruit and 0 grams trans fats. The combination is like having a chocolate malt and stays nice and cold so I can consume it over a short period of time and still have it icy cold. It's the perfect alternative to a bacon and egg breakfast, quick to prepare and studies show that when combining high-protein diets with exercise, dieters tend to lose fat rather than muscle. But whatever you decide to eat, remember the GMA experiment and think before you eat and eat well to be well!
