Holy smokes. this is one of the best threads I have read on this forum.
I have really changed my eating habits in a major way over the last year. I tried everything before that... counting calories, lowfat foods, P90X, whatever, and none of it worked. I was 6' 1" and 240lubs. Felt like crap. Chronic heartburn. Miserable.
Started doing some research and stumbled on a website dealing with stuff like this, and read up. Used some other sources for backing, and then dove in. I have dropped 50 lubs since then, most of it in the first four months, and have kept it off. Can't begin to tell you how much better I feel. Went to the doc and he was very pleased and my checkup went without a hitch.
One thing I heard that really sums it up best about what we stuff in our face is this: The quicker it goes bad, the better it is for you. Packaged stuff is out, fresh stuff is in. And I have not felt a hit in the wallet since changing it up either. Also "lowfat" and "nonfat" are out. I have actually increased my fat intake (avocados, eggs, tree nuts... good stuff.) I don't really pay attention to calories, just what it is. No bread, grains, sugar, artificial sweeteners. For milk I use almond milk and occasionally coconut milk. Almond butter instead of peanut butter. I make my own "energy bars," and man are they good.I could go on.
All I gotta say, is I feel a ton better, I am not beat at the end of the day, and I sleep like the proverbial baby.