Cutting back on carbs can have real benefits, but pasta IS bread, with the exception that it probably digests quicker and thus spikes insulin quicker. Smoothies are suspect as well, usually better to chew your food yourself. and breakfast cereal? Unless it is whole grain like oatmeal with very little added sugar or sweeteners it's basically like eating candy for breakfast. Those salads, eggs, vegetables, beans, seeds, nuts, rely on them;)