There are so many ways to share what you have learned, but sometimes people will take it as being 'preachy'. The one way I have found to share things is to simply tell them about the changes I've noticed. An example could be come thing as simple as IBS in women.

For example, if a friend had IBS and acid reflux, and I used to have it too I could say:
"I used to have IBS symptoms and painful acid reflux until I took grains, sugars, and processed foods out of my diet. I don't suffer from it anymore. Even though we're all different, do you think that might help you if you tried it for thirty days?"

The friend probably won't go home and try it, but at least they have that nugget of information now.

Most people don't want to learn any facts that may force them to examine their lifestyle and change. People don't like to change. They don't want to hear about unhealthy kinds of meat production, or how bad their Fat Pills are for them because they like their comfort zone. (Fat Pills to me are any highly processed convenience foods, like pop tarts)

You'll get the best results when people notice how healthy you are becoming and they ask you what you've done to be so healthy. Good luck!

I sympathize with you. I'm sorry you're being disrespected, especially since it sounds like you're taking great measures to not disrespect others' views on healthy eating. The responses you've received here are very thought provoking and insightful. I'm glad you shared this.

Akimajuktuq,

I‘m a lot older than you and, perhaps, have a different perspective. I have only so many years left on this earth, which I am trying to extend by living healthy. I have learned to worry about me, and what I can change about me to live a better life, not about all of my friends and acquaintances. I cannot save them Being a recovering alcoholic (over 27 years), former smoker and tobacco chewer, I know that you can only change when you want to, not when others want you to, no matter how much the preach (preach in a good way, they were all right, I just didn’t see it at the time)

I’m retired and haven’t seen a lot of my former work friends in over a decade, and when I run into some of them, they can see that I have lost close to 100 pounds. When they ask, I just tell them I’m on something like Atkins, which they seem to accept. If they are really interested (which few are), I offer to loan them some books that I have:

Loren Cordain “The Paleo Diet”
Robb Wolf “The Paleo Solution”
Mark Sisson “The Primal Blueprint”
Mark Sisson “The Primal Blueprint 21 day Total Body Transformation”
Gary Taubes “Good Calories, Bad Calories”
Gary Taubes “Why We Get Fat”

And some websites

http://www.archevore.com/
http://eatingacademy.com/
http://everydaypaleo.com/
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/
http://robbwolf.com/
http://thepaleodiet.com/
http://paleodietlifestyle.com/
http://nomnompaleo.com/

Then they can make their own informed decision.

I don’t read any of the open message boards because most of the people asking stupid questions are too dam lazy to do any research, and most of the idiotic answers are based on nothing but what they have heard and have no basis in science. The ones I read regularly, this one, Low Carber, Type 2 Diabetes and 50+ all have members that believe close to what I believe, and give and take advise based on what they have experienced, and what has r has not worked for them.

Life is too short so sweat the petty krap, so I don’t.

Good luck on your journey!

I know all about that, I catch a lot of hell from my mother in law who is a nurse and firmly belives that grains are a main staple. I have chosen to not talk about it at all with anyone other than my husband and when people ask why I am not having a bun with my burger, my response is that I like it this way and I can taste the meat better... And when people start asking me what I did to look good or whatever then I will tell them.

Hi
I enjoy reading your posts. One of the things I have noticed about people on the general baords who 'rip into you' is that they have not had to cope with the really awful effects that some foods can have on people who are sensitive to them. It seems to me that they can have no idea how terrible you feel, and what a huge relief it is to find something that really helps. I am just so thankful to have found this way of eating. So much of what you have to say reflects my experience and you express yourself well. I have not posted often on the general boards, and when I have my opinion is usually belittled, but hay, we know the difference it makes to us, and who knows, your post just might strike a cord with somebody, and start them thinking, it has the potential to change somebody's life....go you!

This is why I love MFP and this board in particular.
It's heartbreaking to see someone ask a question about paleo /primal on the main boards because they are genuinely interested and see them shot down and torn to strips (as well as those who give them good advice on this way of living).
I've decided to take a wider approach with primal this year and apply it to other aspects of my life, not just my eating. Part of that is choosing who I want around me that will support me.

To achieve that I've removed a lot of 'friends' on MFP who don't have similar values and goals. I got too frustrated with reading food diaries filled with processed crap but under calorie goals. I kept my mouth shut most of the time but just decided it doesn't add anything positive to my life so got rid of them. I've also outlined on my profile how I eat and that I would prefer to only add those that do the same. Working so far!

In my real world I'm making similar changes. I'm moving to my own little place right by the beach because where I'm living and the people I live with (been living with my folks since I sold my house) no longer support or respect my values and how I choose to live. I can't bear to hear the complaints of severe arthritis,heart medications etc etc while watching them feed their faces with bread, alcohol, processed rubbish etc.

I've given up explaining to people why I live this way (unless I know someone is genuinely looking to make a change). If anyone asks I just say I eat meat, veges and some fruit and that grains etc don't make me feel too good. Occasionally I try to explain it as the difference between surviving (on SAD) and thriving but it usually doesn't go down to well!
Sometimes it's just best to focus on our own health and wellness and realise those frustrations with others are taking away from our enjoyment of our own lives so just choose the positive stuff and let the rest slide.
All the best for a very happy and healthy New Year!

I've learned to ignore most people...when someone on the public forums asks about primal/paleo I try and educate them while warning them they are opening a can of worms...and I usually try to direct them to this forum for better insight.

as for IRL friends - it is hard - I sometimes want to bang my head - I have a very close friend who has had all sorts of health issues and her Dr. mentioned maybe cutting out gluten and seeing if that had any effect on her issues (Crones, IBS and Celiac have all been ruled out) so she has...BUT rather that change the way she eats she basically eats the same and chooses the "gluten free" version of things. She was at my house on New Years Eve (my birthday to boot) and I had ordered Pizza (we had a bunch of kids and friends over and heck it was my birthday so I made sure there was a junk pizza in the mix so I could have a slice - I made up a bunch of chicken wings as an appetizer and ate a lot of those in addition to my one slice of pizza...)

Anyway she didn't have a piece but then was telling me about all these different places she has been trying out all the different gluten free pizza. I asked her if she had tried making her own with cauliflower and she gave me a look and said she has never had cauliflower and she never wants to. So she still eats a lot of food that in effect isn't all that great for you (processed junk) and then loads up on things cause they are "gluten free"

I feel the same, and I try avoid any possible head betting by not really talking about paleo/primal with anyone but this board and the friends on it. My sister and brother and their respective SO's know I'm eating this way (in fact, my brother in law just became a cop and has started eating primal to become fitter), and one of my best friends just jumped on board with it too because she sees how great I feel. my other best friend on the other hand told me all the fat I'm eating is going to ruin my heart :huh: So yeah, sometimes it's better to just sit back and not say anything and if someone wants to know what you're doing and comes to you specifically, then explain. It really does hurt me though because I see friends complete their diaries and they're under calorie goals, but it's processed crap with carbs and sodium through the roof, nary a vegetable in sight. They're losing weight, but I know it won't last and will probably cause problems in the end (like my best friend who loves low-fat foods, says I'm going to die from all the fat I eat, who just discovered a lump near her lymphnodes that could be cancerous but doesn't think her low-fat high grain diet could be partially to blame, or that changing her diett couldd help). It's a double edged sword. We're all here for support, but you don't have to support anyone you don't think is making correct choices. Who cares if it's YOUR opinion of correct, it's YOUR friendslist and you should only be friends with those you can support