Why do people have a problem with paleo?

[hummingbird]

It seems like some people have a problem with me eating paleo, like being very insistent that I have cake or pie or giving my daughter gluten full snacks to the point where it seems like they are trying to undermine me or "prove" its not a problem for my daughter (of course the mess is a day or two later).  It seems that people don't have the same problem with other dietary choices such as vegetarian or vegan.  Does anyone else here have experience with this?  Is it a cultural thing?

[Erin]

I think many have a hard time opening their minds and letting go of what has been drilled into their brain about whole grains, heart healthy foods, vilifying fats, etc. My MIL has said she doesn't see why I "have" to eat this way, "it's not like you're allergic"... With my kids, I let it be known that any and all food/drink has to be okayed by myself or my husband. The last time our daughter was at the neighbor's house just playing in their backyard with their grand kids, she came home with a plastic cup full of corn chips. :/ The funny thing is, she told us she didn't think she should be eating them. "They probably have glutens in them, right?" For me, I'd rather stick to my guns and come across as a momma bear than chance her feeling sick.

[kristiemarie]

I've had people tell me that "just one bite" won't hurt...haha. I have celiac disease. A crumb would hurt! I just ignore people when they have negative opinions and views on eating gluten free and paleo. It's my body, not theirs!

[hummingbird]

Oh no Kristiemarie, that's aweful. They clearly don't know what celiac disease is. I get "you don't have celiac disease, so you don't need to avoid gluten" type of comments. :/ I think the large volume of these types of comments make them harder to ignore.

[elleneliza]

I was vegan for a long time, and I feel like the people in my life are more comfortable with me being paleo than they were with veganism. Though, I was vegan for ethical reasons and I'm paleo for health reasons...that might be part of it.

[rach]

Hehe I have a bit of fun here, with a few stock responses most people don't have (or at least express) a problem with the way I eat any more.

I've had people say "Just one bite", "you don't have celiac disease" etc, and these are very intrusive comments, so I assume that the person asking is really truly interested in why I avoid grains, and tell them in grotesque exquisite detail exactly what happens to my bowels if I do eat it.

Anything from "No I don't NEED to avoid it, I'd just like to be able to get more than 5 minutes away from a toilet today" to "If I eat that I'll have a stomach ache and won't be able to compete this afternoon, this isn't deliberate sabotage is it?" (friends at sporting events).

I tailor my comments to my audience, but I've never been asked twice =P

[saragrambusch]

I think people respond negatively to most labels when it comes to food, assuming people are blindly following the rules of a "diet". I never use the word paleo besides online. Mostly I completely avoid talking about my food with other people but if they ask I just say that I eat what makes me feel best.

[heyshea]

May 29, 2014 8:05:34 GMT -5 saragrambusch said:

I think people respond negatively to most labels when it comes to food, assuming people are blindly following the rules of a "diet". I never use the word paleo besides online. Mostly I completely avoid talking about my food with other people but if they ask I just say that I eat what makes me feel best.

Absolutely! When asked about why I avoid certain foods, I usually say I'm a picky eater or I'm on an elimination diet for my health. I try to avoid saying anything about aip, paleo, or gluten free unless I'm talking to others who are on similar diets. 

[Irene Adamson]

You are not alone! We all get the comments. I have even been called "a snob" for turning something down. I try to be polite and most of the time explain that I am sorry, that I wish I could eat it, but I suffer from debilitating pain if I eat things I am not supposed to. People are coming around. Hang in there!

[janeway]

Oh yes. I got ripped apart on another forum for it a few months ago. I...don't go on that forum anymore.

[victoriap]

I get much better responses now when I say I am trying to heal my psoriasis compared to a few years ago when I told people I was eating lowcarb to lose weight. A lot of what I did back then was paleo but for some reason I always said lowcarb. I heard so much about how unhealthy it was....

[najay]

We have always been healthy eaters and quite strict with what our girls (5 & 2) consume and often have people trying to.give biscuits, cakes and my sister even gave my eldest a cup of her coke at her 1st birthday party and wondered why I got upset. I used to tell people just one nut they never listened so now she is a bit older I simply say to her its unhealthy and full of sugar, your choice and 9 times out of 10 says no thank you
you. Then I get " the look" now we are paleo ( very new) and live 4,000 kms from home I often worry about what will be said or the undermining that will occur when we go visit. I will be putting my foot down as I can see the benefits. I hope one day they will also be on board but until then be firm you know what your doing is the best thing

[basilicious]

I find it tough with "healthy" foods. You say no to cake or cookies people seem to understand that but when I say no to tomatoes and quinoa they go through the roof! It's also pretty rough if you are slim, like me, because now all of a sudden you saying "no" to something becomes more sinister and ppl start thinking new Hollywood Diet or even eating disorder. Difficult

Up until two months ago when I started AIP I had been a vegetarian for 20 years (vegan for 6 of those)! Since I was a wee teen! I have told very, very few ppl that I've started eating meat.

[randi]

I think it makes others feel better about their decisions on their diet to say your way is wrong. Other people don't want to spend the time researching and reading up on why its healthier to eat paleo. many people think I just don't eat carbs and eat mostly meat...they just don't get it. They have no idea about the toxins, antinutrients, etc that go along with eating grains... I think it often comes down to ignorance and not wanting to change decades of what others have told them... I have no "allergies" but I have learned I have intolerance... ugh... I get so frustrated with other people judging the paleo lifestyle (especially the inlaws...lol)...

[trishk1959]

I have no allergies or intolerance's but I've been Paleo for 4 months I also copped a fair bit of flack from friends and family, but as I lost weight and I started to look and feel better, less of my "well meaning" friends and family commented. In fact some are actually wanting to come on board. Just be positive don't get angry or short with them, just shrug and say, oh well I'm committed now for x amount of months and I'm sticking to it. They used to look at me like I had two heads, now I think there's a little bit of admiration for my lifestyle. Good luck, whatever happens stick to your guns.