What a great post. I believe everything you say and have personal experience with quite a few points you made. Even though my major problem to overcome was diabetes and weight gain, I can relate to many other things that have also improved with diet change.

As far as the sugar addiction my biggest hurdle was getting weaned off the diet soda pop. Once I did that my cravings finally subsided and I am not bothered with them at all. Unless I have something really sweet. Then I feel the urge to want some more of that but I have always been able to resist the short term craving and the cravings soon subside. I don't think I have as big of problem with the sweets as you do. We are able to have a few berries and a tiny amount of sugar like comes in a small amount of 85% dark chocolate. So we are able to have a very modest portion of a low carb desert essentially every night. But it is not "sweet" by any "normal" persons standard and in fact most would turn their nose up at our desert. I think food addictions and reactions are very personalized, and a person has to find what "works for them" like you and I have.

It is kind of funny the things you mention as they bring up memories yet they are not usually things I mention as benefits to diet change.

For example I used to take over the counter decongestants and antihistamines (usually a combo pill, did have them prescribed once) 3-6 months out of the year to keep my sinuses from plugging up. When scuba diving I always took them no matter what time of year it was because after the first couple dives I could no longer clear my ears under water. Since diet change I have taken a decongestant maybe a half dozen times in the last 5 years. The few times I have taken them I was diving and had a cold. So I can relate to your respiratory problems clearing up.

I went from about 265#-270 down to 165# in about 9 months. I currently am at 175-180. I might have been able to do three or four good push ups back then. I can do 30 good ones now. My waist went from 42 down to now 34. Was 32 for a while. I can now sprint 100 yards at 70 years old. Probably could not have ran 50' before.

Knee and back pain gone. Had steroid shot in one knee and prescribed from doctor to get it replaced when I could no longer stand the pain. That was over 6 years ago when I got that knee shot right before going to Bonaire so I could carry diving tanks to go scuba diving. No longer have problems carrying two scuba tanks (mine and my wifes) yet I am 6 years older, now at 70.

Used to wear 2x large shirts to cover my belly. Now wear large but in the loose fit ones can wear a medium.

My gums nearly always bled when I brushed. Now they never do.

Used to take blood pressure medicine. Have not had to for over 5 years now.

Had neuropathy in my feet and lower legs. That went away over  two or three years time.

No longer have problems with athletes foot or jock itch. Used to always use medicated powder for jock itch. Never do any more.

Have not worn sunscreen for about 5 years. Used to slather it on regularly, especially summer or on vacation. We never even carry it or buy it any more.

There is probably a lot more. Those are just the things that popped up in my mind that have changed about me (and some about my wife) because of diet change because of what you mentioned.

Most people will not believe it. Once a person has personally experienced it, the changes are hard to "un-see". Not everyone is the same nor needs to do what you and I have done. But I bet a lot of people would be surprised if they knew how some foods were actually affecting them. My daughter can't tolerate bread or a number of other foods. Unfortunately her addictions stop her from completely reversing some of her health conditions, but at least she has made progress.