Before you guys flame the OP too much let me state this method of thinking is not as as rare as you may think. I got in a big argument with an instructor who was teaching this exact same concept. Calories are calories and it doesnt matter where they come from or when you eat them have the exact same effect on weight gain and weight loss. Yes, 4,000 calories from simple sugars will have the exact same effect on weight gain or loss as 4,000 calories from protiens, complex/fibrous carbs and healthy fats. It wasnt til I pinned her down on the effect insulin has on fat storage that she backed off her stance.