It's more nuanced than that. Speaking as someone who has done the diet and had multiple people around me also have results with it when other diets haven't worked (as well).

The hormonal impact of what and when you eat tends to have a larger impact than what a pure "calories in, calories out" model would suggest.

I've taken blood tests before and after 6 months of intermittent fasting (with a similar diet) and saw massive improvement in blood work and hunger pangs.

YMMV but his ideas are worth exploring.