Why do you think it is that you both have lost weight?
Are your staples now mainly carbs or are you really eating more beans, veggies and fruit?

I think there are a few reasons even though I don't fully understand all of them.

A fairly comprehensive study was done recently showing that calories are calories - and there is no difference between fat calories or any other calories in regard to gaining or losing weight. So - possibly an all veggie meal is more filling while taking in the same calories? Or you crave less because of all the nutrition going in?

One thing is we are forced to look at every ingredient of everything bought and consumed and fast food restaurants are automatically eliminated. The entire process is much more purposeful and thought through. Binge eating is no longer a problem - so maybe the natural stuff just cultivates a more efficient and healthier relationship with food? And a more efficient metabolism?

Tell me more! What do you mean?

Shibboleth,

One thing though, cows don't make as much noise as beans do

Chuck

With an 'anything goes' diet I would find myself, after not eating for most of the day, buying a gallon of ice cream and eating the whole thing thinking "well. it's not that bad - I've hardly eaten all day, and it makes me feel better" etc etc.

I just don't have those sorts of days anymore. Since I am concerned about getting enough proteins and enough b-12 I am all over those particulars from breakfast on. The fact that I live 35 miles from the nearest 'sun harvest' store makes me plan everything out. I used to 'live to eat' (to some extent) but now I 'eat to live'.

Different thought process, different habit = different results.