[joshcsimmons]

I used to believe this but the reality isn't that simple.

The truth is that both schools of thought are correct. You can and will lose weight by eating junk calories as long as you are eating in a deficit[1]. You can also eat a strict paleo diet of whole foods and gain weight - anecdotal, I have done it.

I have been consistently and (very) gradually reducing my body fat percentage over the course of a year by eating mostly-healthy foods and calorie counting (the alleged worst way of tracking food). I still eat a fair amount of junk food but limit it to one day a week.

Bottom line: quality of food has very little to do with weight loss, calories determine weight loss. Quality of food will influence body composition but body composition !== weight.

[1] https://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor...

[chrisdrobison]

And while you will see success for a time, the scientific literature I referenced points out some significant long term studies that show calorie counting only leads to temporary success in weight loss. In every study, the original weight was gained back in 2-4 years because underlying eating choices never really changed. So, yes, if you are looking for short term success, sure, cut calories, but doing it that way will never lead to long term loss unless you change the quality of food you eat.