I have been off the plan but still admire the principles and continue to work towards things. I normally will point people asking questions to this group to get info. There are some people you just can't talk to. They are hardcore about every thing except what they know. Please don't send them to this group. I just ignore them.

I usually say some version of the following...

1. I have not cut out any foods that are necessary for healthy human survival. (This is in response to those people that say, "its not healthy to eliminate entire food groups")
2. I feel better/sleep better/look better/have more energy/digest better/insert a million reasons here. (This is in response to the "why" or "its not healthy")
3. Thats great that grains/dairy/legumes/soy/sugary crap don't make you feel bad, but they seem to upset my system. I indulge once in a while, but when I do regularly, I see ______ health problems surface. Even when health problems do not surface, I feel better when I eat less of those, and more vegetables/meats (This is response to people that say, "There's nothing wrong with hummus/soy sauce/tofu/a cookie/yogurt/whatever else" - I find that they usually are saying this because they are defensive - they might think you are trying to insult their diet)
4. I eat a huge variety of delicious, interesting meals and I never feel deprived. (This is in response to "Don't you get tired of steak and salad?" or "Why don't you have a little fun, indulge a little")

I love never feeling guilty about what I eat or feeling I shouldn't eat despite being hungry. Couldn't say that pre-paleo.

I just say, "ok then don't eat paleo".