The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee

How many people went vegan during Veganuary?   Enough to fill up the largest sports arena hundreds of times. Astonishingly, millions of people have ditched meat and dairy in favor of a plant-based diet since the inception of Veganuary, according to Sandra Hungate, U.S. Director of the annual movement. But the actual impact is far great than that.   She joins "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll to talk about the enormous growth of the month and what the future of Veganuary might look like.   In This Interview  - How many people who go vegan stay vegan - Origins of Veganuary - Celebrity participants - Global reach - Flexitarianism   Join Chuck and Dr. Bulsiewicz at Dr. Barnard’s Bon Voyage Bash in Miami on March 7!   — — SHOW LINKS — — Join Chuck and Dr. B in Miami https://www.pcrm.org/events/bon-voyage-party-2025 — — — Veganuary Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareveganuary Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Veganuary X: https://www.twitter.com/veganuary YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VeganuaryCharity Web: https://veganuary.com — — — Alzheimer’s and Dementia PCRM Resources: https://bit.ly/AlzPCRM Study: https://go.nature.com/40cCvbg — — —   Free Athlete Nutrition E-Book https://www.pcrm.org/athlete — — BECOME AN EXAM ROOM VIP — — https://www.pcrm.org/examroomvip — — THIS IS US — — The Exam Room Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexamroompodcast — — — Chuck Carroll Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChuckCarrollWLC Facebook: http://wghtloss.cc/ChuckFacebook X: https://www.twitter.com/ChuckCarrollWLC — — — Physicians Committee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/physicianscommittee Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PCRM.org X: https://www.twitter.com/pcrm YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PCRM Jobs: https://www.pcrm.org/careers — — SUBSCRIBE & SHARE — — 5-Star Success: Share Your Story Apple: https://apple.co/2JXBkpy​​ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pMLoY3 Please subscribe and give the show a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or many other podcast providers. Don’t forget to share it with a friend for inspiration!  

Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, a world-renowned gastroenterologist and bestselling author, shares invaluable insights on optimizing gut health. He discusses the critical interplay between a balanced microbiome and overall well-being, including digestion and inflammation. Listeners will learn about the benefits of plant-based foods and the impact of sugars on gut health. Bulsiewicz also highlights natural prebiotics like green bananas and the effects of antibiotics on gut balance, emphasizing practical steps for restoring microbiome health.

A serious addiction was sending Michelle Oberg to an early grave. But it wasn’t an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Even though she was substantially overweight, Michelle just could not stop eating pizza.   It may seem puzzling to mention pizza in the same breath as cocaine or whiskey, but for Michelle Oberg the addiction had it hooks in as deep as any that would traditionally send a person to rehab.   The result of her out of control eating was a heinously inflamed body that was struggling to function. Her triglycerides and c-peptide levels were incomprehensibly high. Meanwhile, migraine headaches had become all too common along with painful gout flareups. At the same time her weight was spiraling out of control.   Despite growing sicker and heavier every day she still couldn’t say no to pizza. Then she finally hit rock bottom and began to climb out of a dark hole and began breaking the chains of addiction and shedding the pounds that had been holding her back.   In an extraordinary story of what is possible, Michelle shares her journey of resilience with fellow food addict Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast. She found strength and success after she began to eat a plant-based diet. And today she is thriving. Her goal is to inspire others struggling with demons to dig deep and make the change as well.   Key points discussed include:   Personal journey: Michelle recounts her history with food addiction and how it intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses her initial struggles with giving up pizza and the support she found in an online group for food addiction.   Transition to a vegan diet: As she worked on her food addiction, Michelle began to explore veganism and whole food plant-based diets. She describes how she replaced pizza with healthier options like chickpea curry and salads.   Compassion and self-love: Michelle reflects on how she finds it easier to have compassion for others than for herself, and how this realization has been part of her healing journey.   Motivations: Michelle shares her family history of health issues, including heart disease and Alzheimer's, which motivates her to continue making healthier choices. She wants to break the cycle of diseases in her family.   Ongoing journey: Michelle acknowledges that she still has about 30 pounds to lose and emphasizes the importance of making informed dietary choices. She discusses her favorite foods and healthy habits that she has adopted, such as preparing a specific salad dressing regularly.   — — SHOW LINKS — — Michelle Oberg IG: https://www.instagram.com/pizza_addict_to_vegan Website: https://pizzaaddicttovegan.blog — — EVENTS — — Dr. Bulsiewicz and Chuck in Miami Where: Dr. Barnard's Bon Voyage Bash Date: March 7, 2025 https://www.pcrm.org/events/bon-voyage-party-2025 — — — Free Athlete Nutrition E-Book https://www.pcrm.org/athlete — — BECOME AN EXAM ROOM VIP — — https://www.pcrm.org/examroomvip — — THIS IS US — — The Exam Room Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexamroompodcast — — — Chuck Carroll Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChuckCarrollWLC Facebook: http://wghtloss.cc/ChuckFacebook X: https://www.twitter.com/ChuckCarrollWLC — — — Physicians Committee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/physicianscommittee Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PCRM.org X: https://www.twitter.com/pcrm YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PCRM Jobs: https://www.pcrm.org/careers — — SUBSCRIBE & SHARE — — 5-Star Success: Share Your Story Apple: https://apple.co/2JXBkpy​​ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pMLoY3 Please subscribe and give the show a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or many other podcast providers. Don’t forget to share it with a friend for inspiration!

Do you need to eat 2,000 calories per day? Is it more? Perhaps less?   Despite what you may think, there is no "one size fits all" approach to daily caloric needs. Learn how to determine how many calories you need with Dr. Neal Barnard, author of The Power Foods Diet. He joins "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll who has lost and kept off nearly 300 pounds for over 15 years.   Key points discussed include:   Caloric needs: Dr. Barnard explains that while 2,000 calories is a common benchmark for a typical American adult, caloric needs vary based on factors such as body size, metabolism, and physical activity levels. Taller and heavier individuals generally require more calories.   Weight loss plateaus: The conversation addresses the common issue of weight loss plateaus, where individuals stop losing weight despite efforts. Dr. Barnard emphasizes the importance of monitoring caloric intake and suggests that if weight loss stalls for two weeks, it may be time to reassess dietary habits.   Dietary guidelines: Dr. Barnard shares practical tips for maintaining a healthy diet, including focusing on high-fiber foods, avoiding added fats, and incorporating power foods like fruits and vegetables that promote weight loss.   Mindset around food: The discussion touches on the psychological aspect of dieting, highlighting that individuals can still enjoy their favorite foods by making healthier versions, which can help reduce the fear of abstaining from certain foods altogether.   This episode is sponsored by The Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund, which supports organizations like the Physicians Committee that carry on Greg’s passion and love for animals through rescue efforts, veganism, and wildlife conservation.   — — BOOKS — — The Power Foods Diet: https://amzn.to/3GmCxUj — — EVENTS — — Dr. Bulsiewicz and Chuck Live Show Where: Dr. Barnard's Bon Voyage Bash in Miami Date: March 7, 2025 Tickets: https://www.pcrm.org/events/bon-voyage-party-2025 — — SHOW LINKS — — Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund https://gregoryreiterfund.org — — BECOME AN EXAM ROOM VIP — — Sign up: https://www.pcrm.org/examroomvip — — THIS IS US — — The Exam Room Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexamroompodcast — — — Dr. Neal Barnard Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnealbarnard Facebook: http://bit.ly/DrBarnardFB X: https://www.twitter.com/drnealbarnard — — — Chuck Carroll Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChuckCarrollWLC Facebook: http://wghtloss.cc/ChuckFacebook X: https://www.twitter.com/ChuckCarrollWLC — — — Physicians Committee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/physicianscommittee Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PCRM.org X: https://www.twitter.com/pcrm YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PCRM Jobs: https://www.pcrm.org/careers — — SUBSCRIBE & SHARE — — 5-Star Success: Share Your Story Apple: https://apple.co/2JXBkpy​​ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pMLoY3 Please subscribe and give the show a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or many other podcast providers. Don’t forget to share it with a friend for inspiration!

Dr. Steve Lome, a cardiologist passionate about dietary health, discusses the crucial link between lifestyle choices and cholesterol management. He reveals that high cholesterol often goes unnoticed and emphasizes a whole food, plant-based diet as a game changer. Hear anecdotes of patients who drastically improved their LDL levels simply through dietary changes. Lome also critiques the role of saturated fats, particularly from dairy, and advocates for nutritional knowledge in cardiology to promote healthier lifestyles over relying solely on medications.

Dr. Steve Lome, a cardiologist specializing in hypertension, discusses how lifestyle choices can significantly lower blood pressure. He emphasizes the rising rates of hypertension and the power individuals have over their health through diet. Lome shares his personal weight loss journey and advocates for a whole food plant-based diet while criticizing the hidden dangers of processed foods. He also introduces a practical seven-day plan for resetting blood pressure, highlighting the critical relationship between nutrition, weight management, and heart health.

Dr. Neal Barnard, founder of the Physicians Committee and author of The Power Foods Diet, discusses innovative weight loss strategies and the advantages of a plant-based diet. He explains the pitfalls of calorie restriction and promotes nutrient-dense foods. Barnard emphasizes that exercise benefits overall health but isn't a major factor in weight loss. He also shares tips for managing cravings and highlights how a low-fat vegan diet can boost metabolism. This engaging conversation offers listeners a fresh perspective on achieving their weight loss goals.

A dietitian spent months researching the friendliest airports for plant-based diets.   Xavier Toledo, MS, RD, LDN, shares the findings on The Exam Room Podcast with “The Weight Loss Champion” Chuck Carroll.   He also shares his go-to tips for eating healthy while traveling and the results of a survey of travelers that shows how many are able to find vegan options at airports.   Join Chuck and Dr. Will Bulsiewicz at Dr. Barnard’s Bon Voyage Bash in Miami on March 7!  — — SHOW LINKS — — Xavier Toledo Website: https://www.choosemoreplants.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitianxavier TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dietitianxavier — — EVENTS — — Dr. Bulsiewicz and Chuck in Miami Where: Dr. Barnard's Bon Voyage Bash Date: March 7, 2025 https://www.pcrm.org/events/bon-voyage-party-2025 — — — Free Athlete Nutrition E-Book https://www.pcrm.org/athlete — — BECOME AN EXAM ROOM VIP — — https://www.pcrm.org/examroomvip — — THIS IS US — — The Exam Room Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexamroompodcast — — — Chuck Carroll Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChuckCarrollWLC Facebook: http://wghtloss.cc/ChuckFacebook X: https://www.twitter.com/ChuckCarrollWLC — — — Physicians Committee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/physicianscommittee Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PCRM.org X: https://www.twitter.com/pcrm YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PCRM Jobs: https://www.pcrm.org/careers — — SUBSCRIBE & SHARE — — 5-Star Success: Share Your Story Apple: https://apple.co/2JXBkpy​​ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pMLoY3 Please subscribe and give the show a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or many other podcast providers. Don’t forget to share it with a friend for inspiration!

Kirk Erickson, PhD, director of translational neuroscience at AdventHealth Research Institute, dives into the powerful connection between physical activity and brain health. He reveals that it's never too late to benefit from exercise, especially in reducing Alzheimer's risk. Dr. Erickson discusses how both aerobic and strength training enhance cognitive function and emphasizes the importance of lifestyle changes over medications. He also touches on innovative blood tests that could predict Alzheimer's, highlighting a proactive approach to brain health.

Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, a renowned gastroenterologist and bestselling author, delves into the powerful impact of spices on gut health. He reveals how everyday herbs like ginger, turmeric, and peppermint can alleviate digestive issues like bloating and IBS. Discover how cinnamon influences gut bacteria and regulates blood sugar. Learn about cumin and coriander's anti-inflammatory properties and the synergy of spices in enhancing digestion. Bulsiewicz emphasizes adopting plant-based eating for better health and the role of diet in preventing common medical problems.