Paleo or Clean Eating?

[robin127]

Just a random thing I've encountered a lot lately. When people ask me how I've lost so much weight (almost 40lbs, yay me!), I am sometimes hesitant to answer "paleo" even though I owe my wellbeing to this lifestyle. I noticed that I get a lot of crazy looks (even eye rolls) and questions when I say paleo but when I recently started saying "clean eating" or "no crap", I don't get ANY negative comments or looks. I don't know if there is a difference between the two terms eating-wise but I hate that paleo has a bad connotation to some people. I don't mind answering questions (when I know the answer) and I will tell anyone that will listen how amazing I feel. Anyone else have this issue? How do you explain/describe how you eat. 
Michelle 

[frecs]

I tell people I'm on an elimination diet for healing. It gets understanding looks and a willingness to help. If I put it as just another diet, that would get "oh, come on, you can cheat just this once..."

[localkaty]

I don't usually call my dietary choices by any particular name. If someone asks why I'm avoiding something I tell them, but I don't have any descriptors I use regularly. I try to avoid having to answer questions about my food whenever possible.

[TamarE]

Try telling people you work for The Paleo Mom. Then you have to explain all about Paleo. Most people are nice enough. I think the thing that most people cant' understand is the no grains part of Paleo.

[localkaty]

The fact that I don't eat grains never seems to interest people as much as the fact that I do eat liver, heart, and sardines. My coworkers love asking what I'm having for lunch.

[salixisme]

May 7, 2014 15:40:16 GMT -5 localkaty said:

The fact that I don't eat grains never seems to interest people as much as the fact that I do eat liver, heart, and sardines. My coworkers love asking what I'm having for lunch.

Mine too Katy...  it does help that I work in a complimentary healthcare environment, so everyone is very into health and wellness.

I don't usually say "paleo" to people (although all my co-workers know I am paleo), I just say that I eat a physiologically sound nutrient dense diet to those who don't know/don't understand.

[natalie]

I don't talk to people about the way I eat. Especially not at work - I don't want to be "preachy" about diet. If someone were to ask me about what I eat or indicate interest in improving health through diet I would explain what I eat, but it has never come up.

[EJ]

For me, it depends on who's asking and how much they need to know. But with my friends and acquaintances, I used to go with "Paleo." It helps people understand how I eat-but I can always go into more detail. Now that I'm on AIP...it's more complicated. Many people know I have an autoimmune condition, so my explanation ends up being something like "an elimination diet to see if I can lower inflammation" plus "super strict Paleo"

I enjoy being Paleo. I do remember the days when I thought it was all a fad and made fun of it, but now it's just a label that helps people understand the basics-no grains, no dairy, no processed foods, no sugar.

[pixelfrau]

If I don't feel like going into it or the person isn't being very receptive/open minded, I just say I don't eat certain things because of a medical condition, similar to people with high cholesterol or blood pressure avoiding certain foods. People can usually relate to that and it becomes a non-issue. Funnily enough, I get a lot less questions now than I did when I was a vegan!

[victoriap]

I have said paleo and elimination diet. If I say it is for healing people seem to be more understanding.

[jenib]

I get a lot of "what AREN'T you eating now?" I usually say I'm doing an elimination diet to heal my gut. If that doesn't satisfy or if they get aggressive about it, I look the person in the eye and say "if I eat <whatever> it makes my colon bleed." They usually don't ask any more questions after that.