The core principle is still calorie restriction, this is just a modifier on top of that. If they ran it with 18k cal per week then both would gain. I don't th

The core principle is still calorie restriction, this is just a modifier on top of that. If they ran it with 18k cal per week then both would gain. I don't think anyone thinks that macro/micronutrients and eating patterns are completely irrelevant, just that they have less effect than total calories, so IIFYM is a good starting point / first order simplification.