Is a vegan diet always healthy? It appears that even with ultra-processed plant-based foods there are substantial health benefits.   The results of an analysis comparing a vegan diet containing "junk food" indulgences and a standard diet containing meat and dairy are examined by Hana Kahleova, MD, PhD, who co-authored the study.   After analyzing the results of nearly 250 study participants, she joins “The Weight Loss Champion” Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast with the surprising findings.   About The Study The analysis assessed the association of a plant-based diet index (PDI), healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI), and unhealthful plant-based diet index (uPDI) with weight loss. The PDI measures adherence to a plant-based diet in general, the hPDI includes more fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans, and the uPDI includes more foods such as refined grains and fruit juices.   The findings are from a secondary analysis of a Physicians Committee study in which 244 overweight adults were randomly assigned to a vegan group that followed a low-fat vegan diet or a control group that made no diet changes for 16 weeks. Calorie intake was not limited for either group, and neither group was given diet quality instructions. — — STUDIES — — Vegan Diet Quality Study https://go.nature.com/48H1NkV   — — EVENTS — — What: The Power Foods Revolution Where: Washington, DC - The National Press Club Date: March 26, 2024 Time: 7:00pm Who: Dr. Neal Barnard, Chuck Carroll, Dustin Harder, Stefanie Ignoffo Tickets: https://bit.ly/PowerFoodsTixDC   — — BECOME AN EXAM ROOM VIP — — - Exclusive early access to select interviews - Pre-sale opportunities for live event tickets - Exclusive live online events   VIP sign up: https://www.pcrm.org/examroomvip   — — FOLLOW US — — The Exam Room Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexamroompodcast — — — Chuck Carroll Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChuckCarrollWLC X: https://www.twitter.com/ChuckCarrollWLC Facebook: http://wghtloss.cc/ChuckFacebook — — — Physicians Committee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/physicianscommittee Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PCRM.org X: https://www.twitter.com/pcrm — — — 5-Star Success: Share Your Story Apple: https://apple.co/2JXBkpy​​ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pMLoY3 — — — Share the Show 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!