[passivate]

Hmm, I think what OP might be getting at is that there is a difference in digestive efficiency when breaking down different foods and converting them to energy. A calorie is a calorie, except when it isn't.

[yupper32]

And what I'm saying is that is a micro optimization that doesn't matter too much. It over complicates weight loss.

[passivate]

I don't know if its micro or not, I still remain open to the idea. For e.g. I have work friends (with similar activity levels to mine) who can eat tons of rice and remain skinny and if I do that I know for a fact that I'm gonna put on 10lbs. Our ethnicities are different, but I don't know if that explains it.

[yupper32]

You don't understand that different people will burn different amounts of calories as a base?

I'm not and have never said that if two people eat the same amount, it'll impact them the same.

I said that you need to burn more calories than you consume.

[passivate]

You're claiming variance in basal metabolic rate (for people with similar activity levels/lifestyles) is potentially significant, but also variance in digestive efficiency is negligible?

I don't know if either is false/true, but its interesting to consider. Maybe someone from that domain can shed some light. Happy to look at anything you or others link to.

[yupper32]

BMR variance is significant. It's like the core to any weight loss story.

What I'm trying to say is that trying to change your BMR through some diet is a fool's errand. Just figure out your BMR and consume fewer calories than that. It's very very simple (though I won't say it's easy).