[Capt.YankeeMike]

it IS a simple equation. If you burn more calories than you take in, you lose/maintain your weight. If you take in more calories than you burn off, you put on weight. Very simple. Eat less, exercise more, until you get the first scenario, then keep it up. Very simple.

[DB]

Well it ISn’t that simple.

Your body has to absorb and metabolize those calories in order for those calories to matter. You can eat Styrofoam cups to your hearts desire and your body won’t absorb any of those calories. Zip. A calorie is simply a measure of how much energy is released when burned. It contains no measure of how one’s body processes it if at all.

And if it is so simple, why is it millions lose weight with low carb diets even though they can be very high in caloric intake?