[suprjami]

"I ate 500 calories of potatoes per day and lost weight. It must be because of the potatoes."

Considering even sedentary energy requirement is about 1800 calories per day, I have a shocking alternative theory.

Eating less makes you lose weight.

This concept of less-calories-in regardless of where they come from is repeatedly supported by science, read any fad diet article on Skeptoid: https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4664

[pcai]

Author here: I actually discuss theories for why ~500 calories ad libitum is satiating thus leading to weight loss. Your “shocking alternative theory” is already an embedded assumption and requires no discussion.

[suprjami]

Satiation vs hunger is a willpower issue, but I get your point.