I feel like this article lacks the proper definitions for what it's trying to say.  What I think they're trying to get at is that while CICO holds true, if you eat crappy foods it will make it harder to stick to a caloric deficit because you don't feel full, you're missing nutrients, you'll feel tired and unmotivated, etc. Which is sometimes true, but there should be a delineation between what actually causes weight gain/loss and what may help you stick to a proper diet long-term. Something like this would probably have been more explicit:  We all know that weight-loss is physically nothing more than Calories In being less than Calories Out.  But if you want to make it easier to stick to your caloric needs, eat healthier foods with protein and good fats (like lean meats, eggs, avocados, nuts, etc.).  This will help regulate your hormones, insulin, appetite, and cravings so that you can eat at a deficit and feel good at the end of the day.