Regarding “a calorie is a calorie is a calorie”...I’ve read extensively about this and it seems not all calories are equal. Most peoples’ bodies convert refined carbohydrates into fat much more easily than they convert fat or protein into fat. In addition, most people with weight problems simply like refined carbs more than other foods, so they ingest massive calories of them quickly. I believe 90% of fat people will never lose weight and keep it off unless they abstain — for emotional and physiological reasons — from refined carbs.
Obviously the nutrient quality of your food matters so a calorie is scientifically not just a calorie. But for practical purposes it is. What the average fatso does is look at a bunch of soda or cookies with “natural sugar” and decides “oh look no high fructose corn syrup. I can eat the whole box.” I see alot of people delude themselves into thinking they can get away with eating a ton of fruit or drinking gallons of orange juice. Bottom line is moderating your sugar/carb intake while creating an overall calorie deficit is the key to losing weight. Just avoiding the real crap like refined flour and HFCS will make you feel better but won’t necessarily make you lean.
Me again....let me just add this to the discussion.....It is important people take a daily vitamin/mineral. The body sends signals it desires what is lacking....we often read it simply as being hungry...so we eat, sometimes the wrong thing..and though we feel full that vitamin the body wants may not have been satisfied. Too often we read a vitamin need as an eat need.
For me when I don’t take the vitamin I want to eat every thing sweet....cookies, pie, cakes...yum....when I take the vitamin I don’t crave the sweets.