I. PODCAST 🎥 Trump, AI, Tech Feudalism, Mushrooms & More

II. How to Eat A Lot And Lose Weight 🥗 

As Donald Trump’s inauguration approaches, so does a barrage of questions and confusion.

To put it lightly, the new administration brings a tidal wave of uncertainty for the next stage of domestic and global affairs.

Remember the early months of COVID? That’s all you’d hear.

“These are uncertain, unprecedented times.”

Well, that’s what we’re entering again.

WATCH: DTE Podcast on Election, Tech Future, Tragedy & More 🤖

And it isn’t just because of Trump’s volatility.

It’s the confluence of Tech developments (AI, free speech), ongoing global conflicts, an economy teetering on the edge of collapse, and domestic issues like immigration and apathy.

These are just a few of the issues Alana and I tackle in this sprawling Down to Earth podcast.

The video is timestamped ⏰ Click on the sections you’d like to hear about first.

But it’s not all doom and gloom.

We get personal—sharing stories from our past, and exploring what we want our futures to look like.

Then, we dive into the deep questions of why. 

Why do people instinctively know when to sip their drink or react at just the right moment in a social setting?

Why does everyone feel the collective urge to leave at the same time? Is there a hidden structure to socializing, a rhythm we sense but don’t fully understand?

Why—and how—does anything happen?

Ready to watch?

Buckle up, because this conversation covers all the bases and then some.

The video is timestamped, so be sure to click on the sections you’d like to hear about first.

How to Eat A Lot and Still Lose Weight 🥗

Okay, I know. This headline is clickbaity as hell.

But don’t worry – I’m not peddling weight-loss products, detox teas, or anything like that.

The God’s honest truth is that there is a way to eat a lot of food and still lose weight, and it’s easier than you think.

If you’re like me, you love to eat.

I have favorite foods, but the act of eating itself is a sincere pleasure for me.

Especially when it’s a wide variety of foods of different textures, tastes, and flavors – it’s a thrill to explore.

The problem with that approach is that the calories can pile up pretty quickly, especially with calorie-dense foods.

To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume.

Gaining weight involves consuming more calories than you’ve burned over longer periods.

Unless you’re engaging in intense workouts for hours a day, it can be tough to lose weight if you’re eating so many calories.

Luckily, you don’t have to eat mouse-sized portions if you want to lose or maintain your weight and love to eat.

There’s a well-kept secret approach to eating that lets you indulge while keeping the calories low.

Allow me to introduce the concept of Volume Eating.

This approach to dieting focuses on consuming large quantities of low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods.

Eating this way helps you feel full and satisfied while avoiding excess calories.

The idea is to eat foods that take up a lot of space on your plate and in your stomach without contributing many calories, making it easier to maintain or lose weight without feeling deprived.

Volume eating is my favorite way to eat, and it really works.

You’ll feel lighter, more fluid, and more satisfied if you adhere to some of the foods listed below.

Golden List of Volume-Friendly Foods 🥒

Vegetables 🥕

Vegetables are by far the top volume-eating food.

Because of the rich fiber and water content in veggies and greens of all kinds, you can eat pounds of the stuff before you reach concerning calorie levels.

Veggies have necessary nutrients for health, yes, but what makes them “healthy” is that they fill your stomach with fiber that aids in digestive function and keeps you from craving or over-eating bad stuff.

If you can get into vegetables – salads, stir-fries, or cooked, you will begin to prefer them over anything else.

The satisfaction veggies bring (fiber sends “no more” signals to your brain) is what makes them so powerful for weight loss.

Some of my favorite veggies to Volume-Eat:

• Brussel’s Sprouts 🌱

• Bell Peppers 🫑

• Kale 🥬(cooked or in salad)

• Spinach 🥬(Boiled)

• Cucumbers 🥒

• Cabbage 🥬 (In any form)

• Beets 

• Carrots 🥕

• Mushrooms 🍄‍🟫(fungi, but close enough)

• Cauliflower (riced or whole)

Fruit 🍉

Similar to veggies, fruits have a lot of fiber and water, which can fill you up quickly and leave you refreshed and satisfied.

Now, unlike veggies, you shouldn’t mindlessly consume fruits because of their sugar content, but you can still eat a nice amount of them before the calories pile up.

Fruits to Volume Eat 🫐

• Raw cranberries

• Blueberries 🫐

• Blackberries

• Kiwi 🥝

• Raspberries

• Strawberries 🍓

• Watermelon 🍉

Other Foods 🍳

Yes, you can volume-eat food that isn’t “super healthy”.

In moderation, you can enjoy high-protein and airy foods that let you pig out before you hit high-calorie marks.

Other Foods to Volume Eat 🍿

• Popcorn 🍿(Just lay off the butter. Skinny pop is great!)

• Rice cakes 🍚

• Egg whites 🥚

• Chia seeds/pudding (they expand!)

• Greek Yogurt 🥛

• Soup or Broth 🍲

• Miracle Noodles 🍜

Beverages ☕️

A key to volume eating, or just feeling full and satisfied, is having your belly full of fluids that are low in calories.

Drinks like juice and soda are enemy #1 when it comes to unnecessary calories.

Instead of knocking down 150 calories and 50g of sugar in one small can, opt for these tasty and satisfying bevs instead:

High Volume, low-calorie drinks 🥛

• Unsweetened Almond Milk 🥛

• Tea 🍵 (Black, Green, Chamomile – anything zero calorie!)

• Seltzer/Sparkling Water 💦 (I love Spindrift)

• Infused Water 🍍

• Good ‘Ole H2O 💧

And that’s your introduction to Volume Eating.

Remember, this isn’t a strict diet – it’s simply a way for you to enjoy eating more food without any guilt.

Still enjoy other things you like to eat in moderation, but if you’re looking to cut down a bit, start identifying what gives you more with less.