Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Back when I was a vegetarian and a vegan, I was never interested in wearing those shirts that said things like "Meat is murder" or "I love tofu" or using bumper stickers, key chains, bracelets, or any of that type of junk that advertised my diet...just not for me. I never was into pushing anything on anyone else, and I still feel the same way.

Exhibit A:

alt text

However, I do see some cool Paleo t-shirts and things of that nature, which seem to be WAY less biting than the vegan agenda ones that just make other people feel bad and guilty for eating meat. (Now hear me out, I don't think ALL vegan philosophies are overly extreme, for example, I too would want to avoid the going to the circus and avoid buying meat from factory farms which can be places of animal cruelty).

So my question -- do you advertise that you are Paleo? Do you start the conversation with family/friends, or keep it more toned down until you're asked about your diet and lifestyle? Do you keep it to yourself mostly? Or are you are you more interested in wearing the t-shirts, starting a conversation, and talking to people about what you do because it expresses a part of who you are?

I'd love to hear your stories and responses. Thanks!

edited Sep 21 2011 at 22:47

asked Sep 21 2011 at 22:40

CJ
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I like this question a lot :-) – Sunshine Sep 21 2011 at 22:53

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Oh I didn't realize vegans hated the circus, that makes me more interested in going. – Henny Sep 21 2011 at 23:26

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@Sunshine -- thank you! And thanks for your answer as well. :) – CJ Sep 22 2011 at 1:19

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mmmm, I like cow's heart in the slowcooker. – Adam Crafter Sep 22 2011 at 13:58

"Eat Local" bumper sticker. – Ebice Sep 22 2011 at 16:22

pishposh · Answer 1 · 2011-09-27 10:31:16Z UTC

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I own this shirt, which is more subtly paleo =P But I actually bought it because I thought it was both clever and cute! ...and kinda goes against vegetarians =) which I love. HAHA.

http://shirt.woot.com/friends.aspx?k=15297

answered Sep 27 2011 at 10:31

pishposh
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Sarah · Answer 2 · 2011-09-27 05:00:04Z UTC

So it makes me totally lame, then, that I like advertising it, huh? Sucky.

I don't know. I guess after spending most of my life as a 300 lb fat chick, finding something that works makes you want to shout about it, even to people who aren't listening and don't care. Especially if it means there's some other 300 lb fat chick thinking, "Hey, how she'd do that...and what's PALEO?"

Different Strokes I guess.

I am a huge fan of "The road to hell is paved with gluten"

Korion · Answer 3 · 2011-09-22 12:13:19Z UTC

If you tell people you're on a diet, they often think you're trying to say "I'm special, look at me". That's why I never ever talk about my diet unless they ask me. It's sad that we live in a society that immediately hates you if you're different, but that's just the way it is.

I'm doing this for my health though, not to show others I'm healthier than them. I'm doing this for me. There is no real reason to advertise it.

Besides, the less persons that know about paleo, the more meat for me!

animalcule · Answer 4 · 2011-09-22 12:05:12Z UTC

I do not and have never worn shirts or owned things with slogans, phrases, or pictures on them. I even avoid brand logos whenever I can. Not judging people who do, it's just not my thing. I have minimalist style. Most of my clothes are neutral, solid colors.

I do share about this diet quite a bit, especially to anyone who is having the health issues I did pre-paleo.

Priscilla · Answer 5 · 2011-09-22 11:43:25Z UTC

The way I look at it - If people are interested, they will ask. In the same way that Francis of Assisi said 'Preach the Gospel at all times- if necessary use words', I think that the way we eat and the way we look (or, the way our bodies have changed) should be evidence enough for someone to say "Hey what are you doing differently?" Granted, I don't think diet and religion can be lumped in the same category, but our quiet diligence in eating the way we do should show others our willpower and results, and make them wonder how they can look and feel the way we do!

Pieter D · Answer 6 · 2011-09-22 11:41:52Z UTC

I don't advertise, although I'm proud to be paleo. Still, lots of people ask me about my diet and exercises and health. Must be the way I am, look, act, move, ...

The best paleo advertising is just being healthy. That draws a lot of attention.

(Can you imagine how far we have come?

Nemesis · Answer 7 · 2011-09-22 11:31:01Z UTC

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Then you haven't seen shirts by Maddox, lol.

Then you haven't seen shirts by Maddox

The Best Page In The Universe--store

answered Sep 22 2011 at 11:31

Nemesis
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	Haha, love the second one – Priscilla Sep 22 2011 at 11:40
	Me too, lol! Have almost bought it.... – Nemesis Sep 22 2011 at 12:13

BaconHealsChic · Answer 8 · 2011-09-22 03:37:20Z UTC

In all frankness if I have to explain how I lost weight again to somebody I work with--whom I hardly know, I may scream. Sometime I'm going to get crazy and give the Robb Wolf answer and just say... "hookers and cocaine." So if I did want a t-shirt that is what I would want it to say.

Nutritionator · Answer 9 · 2011-09-22 02:47:24Z UTC

I take more of a Kurt Harris approach and try not to be in so in your face like vegans tend to be. It's not worth the stress or effort to try to change someone's mind unless they show potential interest in the topic. Definitely started off as one of the "Bacon is rad, gluten is bad" people but found it annoying having to explain myself to everyone. I'm all for people advertising the hell out of paleo but I'm less confrontational these days.

Dragonfly · Answer 10 · 2011-09-22 02:42:56Z UTC

I'm always posting Paleo/Primal/gluten-free links to my FaceBook page. I've turned a lot of folks on to Primal eating this way.

I do nutrition coaching with pregnant and tryng-to-conceive moms, so I'm very up-front about my eating habits. Most of the parents I work with are WAP-inspired or Primal (or want to be) in their diets, anyway, so I'm generally just helping them fine-tune.

No t-shirts yet, but I'm not adverse to them--or bumper stickers, either!

JoeBranca at paleoplusone.com · Answer 11 · 2011-09-22 02:15:39Z UTC

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Just can't do it. Someone gave me a "Body by Paleo" T shirt for my birthday but it sits in my drawer still unused. Even if I was into advertising, me wearing that particular slogan would probably be a knock on paleo, since my body composition is only okay compared to plenty of others who don't do anything close to paleo.

answered Sep 22 2011 at 2:15

JoeBranca at paleoplusone.com
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Joe, I love your honesty! I see why you wouldn't want to show off your diet to the world. However, at least from what I can tell from your avatar, you're doing pretty darn well IMO.... :) – CJ Sep 22 2011 at 2:32

Firestorm · Answer 12 · 2011-09-22 01:55:07Z UTC

Like everything else that is integral to my life, while I may not advertise, I don't make any attempt to hide, either. And people notice when a person does things that are out of the ordinary,or when what the person does starts showing results. For me, people started noticing when I got out of my wheelchair and started walking around, and when I lost over 150 lbs... would I wear a t-shirt... sure, some of them are just cool... but while I'm not comfortable pushing it, I certainly don't hesitate to talk it up under the right circumstances.

Stacy and Matt · Answer 13 · 2011-09-22 01:27:28Z UTC

We honestly wear paleo shirts all the time, particularly the ones advertising sites we like. I was wearing a Nom Nom Paleo shirt at the apple farm a month or so ago and it inspired an interesting conversation with a historian. Couple weeks before, a Balanced Bites shirt gave me the opportunity to talk to three interested moms at once. I, personally, feel evangelical about Paleo because it has done so much for me and my family.

coldhandinmine · Answer 14 · 2011-09-22 01:15:18Z UTC

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I never advertise anything about my eating habits. One of my central IRL tenets is "avoid unnecessary and exhausting conversations."

answered Sep 22 2011 at 1:15

coldhandinmine
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Yep... Just like I wouldnt wear a shirt advertising my religion or my politics (okay.. I did wear an Obama 2008 t-shirt a lot that summer), I have little interest in instigating a conversation that inevitably ends up making people feel threatened/inadequate/confused/turned off in general. – citrusfire Sep 22 2011 at 1:32

dubpluris · Answer 15 · 2011-09-22 01:00:49Z UTC

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No, but the way I eat usually draws some questions.

answered Sep 22 2011 at 1:00

dubpluris
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Jules K · Answer 16 · 2011-09-22 00:21:40Z UTC

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I have a couple paleo t-shirts; I thought the Whole9 food pyramid one was really clever, and I have a Chowstalker shirt because I love the site and want to promote it. There are a lot of fun paleo shirts out there! :) I mostly wear them to the gym.

As for talking about it, I enthusiastically answer questions but I don't make a point of telling everyone what I do & don't eat (I probably did that a bit when I was an excited newbie last year).

answered Sep 22 2011 at 0:21

Jules K
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	Hey Jules! Can you post links to your shirts? I'm interested :D – Danielle Sep 22 2011 at 1:25
	Here are the Whole9 shirts- whole9.spreadshirt.com Nomnom Paleo has come out with a MyPlate shirt- that may be my next purchase-nomnompaleo.spreadshirt.com/… And Chowstalker- cafepress.com/… – Jules K Sep 22 2011 at 13:08
	I thought the Food Lovers had one that said "I don't just eat wild-caught for the halibut" but I can't find it :( – Jules K Sep 22 2011 at 13:13

FED at LiveCaveman.com · Answer 17 · 2011-09-22 00:20:12Z UTC

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Does wearing a t-shirt (made on the ever-so-handy print on demand site Zazzle.com) emblazoned with this graphic count as advertising?

alt text

Or what about a sticker on my car like this?

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Or a hat that says this!

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answered Sep 22 2011 at 0:20

FED at LiveCaveman.com
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I'll take one of each! And 2 Bacon hats! – Jules K Sep 22 2011 at 0:22

Lol! I'm glad I'm not the only one :) Everthing I've created is on this page... zazzle.com/livecaveman – FED at LiveCaveman.com Sep 22 2011 at 0:29

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Yeah, that's exactly what I'm talking about with the Paleo community being so much more friendly, inviting, and accepting! This type of "advertising" (if you'd even call it that) is clearly not making anyone feel ashamed or anything, it's just showing off who you are and what your lifestyle is about! Keep on using the Paleo gear :) Thanks for your response! – CJ Sep 22 2011 at 0:40

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We don't need to break others down in order to build ourselves up :) – FED at LiveCaveman.com Sep 22 2011 at 0:43

A at Grain Free Diet · Answer 18 · 2011-09-22 00:40:55Z UTC

I would probably wear a shirt that says "wheat is murder" or the re-evolve one because I think they're funny. Not because I'm trying to advertise Paleo or whatever, but because I am a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl and I have a collection of tshirts that crack me up.

I also don't go out of my way to tell people that I'm Paleo/Primal/Grain Free/whatever the hell you want to call it, but I'm sure not going to hide it either.

Kristen · Answer 19 · 2011-09-22 00:12:34Z UTC

With my 12+ pound weight loss (and my husband's 15+ pound weight loss) in just a little over a month, I can't help but advertise! I'm looking around for the "perfect" Paleo shirt for me, but I haven't seen one I must simply have yet. I do tell everyone however (online and in real life), and I even started a blog about it and how it is working for me.

jess6 · Answer 20 · 2011-09-22 00:09:45Z UTC

This one always bugged me.

alt text

No, he doesn't love you, and he'd eat you in a heartbeat if the situation were reversed.

I have a shirt with a tyrannosaurus eating a carrot and the word "Omnivores" on it, if that counts. I've owned it since before I even heard of the paleo diet.

I love the PaleoParents "Eat Like A Dinosaur" shirt, though I'd get it for my kids, not myself.

In general, I talk about my diet to the least extent possible in real life.

jesuisjuba - paleorepublic.com · Answer 21 · 2011-09-21 23:52:30Z UTC

The only time I really truly openly talk, and ask questions, Paleo is at CrossFit and to the person who turned me on to Paleo.

My friends of course know. All it took was turning a drink down during my 60 day - yes 60 :) - challenge and I was quizzed immediately. It was quickly dropped and every now and then they'll ask me questions and those who I'm closest to always make sure to have plenty of things that I can eat. Oh yeah.. at parties I might get a little hassled, handled easily, but that's pretty much it.

My preference is to keep my lifestyle to myself and if someone is curious and asks me questions? I will answer happily and give 200%. I don't need to advertise :)

April · Answer 22 · 2011-09-21 23:41:48Z UTC

I don't currently advertise it as I've only been living this way for about four weeks. It's been great so far, and if I continue to feel better and improve my health and appearance, I do plan to wear a shirt that advertises it (in a nice way) in work out settings or other places where I could attract the attention of like minded individuals.

Sunshine · Answer 23 · 2011-09-21 22:52:59Z UTC

I don't advertise just because it's somewhat like showing off. At least that's how I perceive it. Then again, there are different ways to advertise I suppose. There are shirts that say vegans/ vegetarians are stupid or meat eaters are equated with the devil, you know, somewhere along that line (whatever), and I am not for that at all. It's great that some people avoid animal products or endorse the consumption of animal products, but I do not appreciate the fact that they advertise in some way that makes other people feel bad or guilty.

As for bringing the topic up with friends and family - It all depends on how "open-minded" or receptive they are. Food is somewhat like religion/ politics to me and I think to others as well. It's a very touchy subject and people do not like being preached to.

In my experience, conversations concerning the "paleo" lifestyle tends to be more positive when the other person asks out of curiosity.

Do you “advertise” that you are Paleo?

23 Answers