> The form of
> > calories we take in is not as important as the number compared with
> > those we burn through activity.

I disagree. It is true the balance between calorie intake and calories
burned is an important factor in weight management. But a model based on
this dynamic alone would be ignorant. It ignores the fact that we are human.
That many of us have a brains that are easily conditioned around food. We
have a desire mechanism that says eat more or eat less and that desire
mechanism is based in part on the form of the calories. I have found that
the paleo diet is one that curbs my desire for overeating. Recently I
accidentally ate some wheat (it was disguised in a salad) at a picnic and I
found myself fantasizing about the "good" old days eating bags of cookies
and mounds of spaghetti. I have not had desires like that since I gave up
wheat completely 1 year and 3 months ago. The fantasies and desires haunted
me for about 24 hours. Since I have been on the paleo diet for about 3 1/2
years my appetite has changed from desires for grains and sweets to desires
for vegetables, fruits and meats. I have always overeaten grains and sweets.
I seldom overeat meat and vegetables.

Michael