[ebiester]

You are mixing diet effectiveness (physics) and adherence. Let me give you an example.

I just had a giant mound of quinoa with a mix of sauteed vegetables and a little more raw olive oil. It met my calorie requirements, but was slightly low in ideal protein. (I've had the same meal with a chicken breast, with the same effect.) I've hit my calorie limit and I'm still hungry.

Sure, it's as simple of CICO, but if CICO with a high vegetable diet leaves me hungry for 14 hours a day to maintain my current weight, it's going to be incredibly hard to maintain adherence. (Let me tell you, it's awesome to wake up at 3AM and so hungry you can't get back to sleep. I will choose sleep over my calorie deficit every time.)

Diets don't work because they are hard to adhere to, even if you are not eating junk food.