I agree with you. I eat healthy whole foods as well, including real butter, etc. While I am losing weight I have found that I HAVE to keep to a low fat/carb controlled diet so that my body will access my stored fat. Once I'm at maintenance, then I'm able to eat "normally", as you mentioned, with no problem. I'm assuming you've read Nourishing Traditions and Dr. Price? So, I'm on the same page as you as far as that is concerned, but I learned the hard way that I simply cannot eat that way while trying to lose weight; I have to do what I have discovered works for me. So, in that regard, I don't see it as deprivation. I see it as making the sacrifices necessary to get what I want, knowing that I will not need to make those sacrifices for the rest of my life.