Diet is like politics and religion. No need to bring it up, especially if it is causing controversy. When a person asks why no pasta/cake/candy/etc. simply say "I am not in the mood."

Sometimes, I eat the cake. My 40th birthday was worth it.

Sometimes, I don't eat the cake. It's really not any of their business.

Most people that give you a hard time about your eating choices are jealous that you can stick to it and they cannot. Watching you make healthy decisions while they are rationalizing unhealthy decisions makes them comment on it. They are trying to make themselves feel better, not make you feel bad.

Usually, I do best not arguing with them. The way I look versus the way they look speaks for itself. Be polite, don't make excuses for yourself, but there is no need to try and make them see it your way either.

I just went through this with a friend who was staying with me..she claimed to be "worried" about me because I was "cutting out food groups," to which I tried to explain that "food groups" are just made up new ideas (referring to the food pyramid).

She said I was was like a "crazy orthorexic type" which to me is hilarious because I'm not obsessive, I go out to dinner, I drink wine, I don't limit my eating to the food I can cook at home, etc... Yes, I am conscious of the food I eat, no, I do not want to eat processed crap, and yes, it's a slightly particular diet but to me it's pretty easy.

I don't talk about it much except to say that I feel GOOD! This friend does not understand it, to her it's "obsessive," "heart-stopping, like Atkins!," and I'm "not enjoying life because I've cut out so many things."

The irony is I'm enjoying life more.

As far as exercise goes, same thing...she thinks working out with my trainer in the park, dead lifting rocks (which we do sometimes, not because it's "Paleo" but because the rocks are just there in the park), doing HIIT type stuff is "crazy!" And she thinks I'll injure myself.

She strolls alongs, plays tennis a few times, drinks a lot, eats a ton of bread and asks me why I don't have snacks at my house. And she looks unhealthy and overweight. So.....

You can't explain yourself to people like that. And in my mind, she's absurdly unhealthy in diet, exercise and mental attitude.

The most annoying thing is probably that she goes around telling people how crazy I am.

Oh well.

They are pushing you more now because they are feeling defensive and maybe a little angry (subconsciously) because the perception is that by rejecting their way of eating you are attacking them somehow and calling them "wrong". And they are also afraid you might be right.

This is not something you can fix directly. Just stick to your guns, lead by example and tread lightly - not doing anything that could be considered judgemental by people who are extra sensitive right now. If you don't make a big deal about it and try to keep it light, they will eventually calm down.

And while you are really happy and excited about how much better you feel and you want to spread it around (at least I know I did ;p ), what you really want is for gatherings with friends and family to be fun again, right?

When family or "friends" do this to me it just strengthens my resolve. No way am I going to eat something because it was pushed on me. I am a stubborn old coot. However, I have to keep in mind that they are probably just as stubborn and won't accept what I try to "push" on them. Long before paleo, I just pretended I was diabetic. I would just say, "I can't eat sugar." And now, I say, for my husband and me, "We can't eat sugar or gluten. It causes us health problems." People are much more tolerant if it is a health issue...as if obesity isn't a major health problem!

I was at a Robb Wolf seminar last week and his mother doesn't go along with it either! You just can't help people who won't help themselves!

This reminds me of this quote, "The masses have never thirsted for the truth. Whoever can supply them with the illusions is easily their master; whoever attempts to destroy their illusions is always their victim." Gustave Le Bon. We know "conventional wisdom" is their master, but I refuse to become a victim. I just continue to do my own thing and don't let them get to me. My late Mother used to say, "Have broad shoulders and a slippery back." I know I feel GREAT on the inside by following the Paleo lifestyle. I am just waiting patiently for the results to appear on the outside. Although, this can be frustrating at times! I am human, after all. I know my middle-aged friends would respect my lifestyle a lot more IF they could SEE the results and other benefits. I rather have more birthdays than more cake! Best of luck to you and everyone else! :)

Just stop. You don't have to attend every argument you are invited to!

You know, the fact they annoy you and try to convert you back to the SAD means they're afraid of your success. Nobody likes it when others do better. I would just deal with it by laughing away what they say, and not trying to "convert" them. They'll respect paleo if they see you florish.

Just remind them about their health issues (I'm sure they have some). People often don't realize they are unhealthy. Take my brother : he always says he's the healthiest of the whole family (because he doesn't go to the doctor often). Yet he has tons of acne. And my sister : she sometimes has blue feet from the cold (while it's not even that cold), and she's freaking pale. And my father : he farts at random moments, has cholesterol problems, he's not in good shape at all. But they all say they are very healthy...

I refuse people's offerings and taunts with the quiet confidence of knowing that I'm mentally and physically stronger than them.

I tell them I go ape-shit crazy when my blood sugar is out of whack, so really I'm doing it for them.

Let them eat cake.

Doing something that is against the cultural norms takes a thick skin, and a certain comfort in being different than the majority of people. I just shrug off whatever they say, or just try to end the conversations/comments quickly. Don't feel like you have to always justify yourself to them, just say you do what you want to do, and you don't want to eat what they give you.

I tell them I'm wheat intolerant - and you don't want to see me when I'm intolerant!

Cake is not a food group.

i have been eating a weight lifting 6 meal a day small portion diet for 3 years...gaining a pound a month, when I have 50 pounds to lose. I worked out hard. I was diligent in my workouts. Guess what?? I became a strong fat person.

When I switched to Paleo, A friend rolled her eyes and said.."I have seen you so disciplined for 3 years... and it has done you no good. I'll be watching." I did not say another word. I lost 25 pounds in 8 weeks and now when we visit them for a cookout..it is totally Paleo. The husband of my friend has lost 20 pounds so far. She still eats sweets on the side when no one is looking. I never comment on her.

Several people have come to me asking what is happening . I am having the opposite reaction.

Wait until you can school them. Like literally school them. If you can explain why it's the diet is smart on multiple levels, it's probably wise to keep your mouth closed and wait until they ask why you look so good and have so much energy. Also, remember who you're talking to. Family members are the least receptive which is frustrating because we love them most.

The main thing to know is that you are doing the right thing for you. I am on the 2-3 meal a day thing right now and I sometimes will fast / decline to eat food. There are so many wonderful foods that are Paleo. I also often bring something delishes to share and eat that.

It happens to everyone. I either dismiss it or like others, say "I don't want any". If it comes down to where they really upset me, I just make it clear it's my lifestyle. Right now, I have a better "excuse" as my doctor placed me on the diet due to gluten intolerance and thyroid issues. They shut up now. Good luck.

I once used the comeback "Yeah, well, you can't say it isn't working out well for me. You can't argue with my biceps."

I am dealing with this this week and wanted to find company/vent! Found this thread and my situation is echoed here.

Had cholestrol tested last week and it came back "high" TC 201, LDL 132. Now everyone is "concerned" about me. And I have to face criticisms of my diet from the fam/gf exc. I show research to support my claims and give the standard paleo responses. It does not matter what amount of research or information or facts I quote...it does no good in justifying my stance to these people who offer no backing besides "someone said so".

It gets really old and frustrating to have to justify how you eat to so many different people all of whom are more sickly and in worse shape than you are. Constant annoying bogus claims straight off of DR. OZ. So frustrating. I hate having to justify my diet at every turn.

It's my fault for putting the information on my diet out there to try to help people with their problems. Not that I'm constantly shoving it down their throats or anything, just mentioning it on occasion. Morally I feel like I have to try to push something I know will help people. But for my own peace of mind I just want to mind my own business and say I'm allergic to that.

Thankful to have people that care about me, but frustrated to be justifying myself on deaf ears when I believe with all my heart I'm right.

Never felt better, not changing.

I'm planning on eating more meat, and less raisins, then seeing what my cholestrol does.

This is a touch one for me. I try and remain open to everything, but my girlfriend has a big problem with Paleo and adheres to conventional wisdom.