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!  

Learn how to optimize and restore healthy gut microbiome with a world-renown gastroenterologist.   Dr. Will Bulsiewicz joins “The Weight Loss Champion” Chuck Carroll on this episode of The Exam Room Podcast.   The conversation also covers the effects of refined sugars versus natural sugars found in fruits, natural prebiotic sources, and the potential for healing the microbiome after antibiotic use.   — In this interview —   Importance of a healthy microbiome: Discover why a well-balanced microbiome is critical for overall health, better digestion, reduced inflammation, and even improved emotional well-being.   Steps to optimize gut health: Practical steps to improve gut health, such as incorporating plant-based foods, maintaining a consistent exercise routine, and managing stress levels.   Antibiotics and microbiome: Learn how antibiotics impact microbiome and how to restore a healthy gut balance following long-term antibiotic use.   Fats and gut health: The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids from plant sources and the detrimental effects of trans fats on gut health are discussed.   Diet and microbiome connection: Learn how dietary choices directly affect the gut microbiome and how a healthy microbiome can lead to anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body.   Bananas are a natural prebiotic: Learn why green bananas are particularly beneficial to gut health.   Sugar and gut health: Natural and refined sugars impact gut health much differently. Discover why.   Gut health and diseases: Poor microbiome composition can affect many diseases, including Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cancer, and depression.   And more!   Join Chuck and Dr. Bulsiewicz at Dr. Barnard’s Bon Voyage Bash in Miami on March 7!   — — SHOW LINKS — — Chuck and Dr. B in Miami https://www.pcrm.org/events/bon-voyage-party-2025 — — — Dr. Will Bulsiewicz Microbiome Mastery Course: https://theplantfedgut.com 38Tera: https://38tera.com Fiber Fueled Cookbook: https://amzn.to/34y6GQP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theguthealthmd — — — 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 French YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeComitedesMedecins 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!

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!