Anytime someone finds out that my dietary needs are different than the “norm,” the first question I get is if I’m on a non-gluten diet. I typically answer no, but that my dietary needs restrict high-carbs, so I need to avoid the grains, beans, and dairy. That’s when the puzzled looks begin and the further questions come up: “Why?”

It is typically at this point that I have a snap decision to make: do I just say it’s a preference or do I tell them that it’s because I’ve adopted a Paleo lifestyle and I no longer eat high-carb foods. I most often go with the latter which opens up the conversation for a whole bunch of questions: “What is Paleo?” “Why do that?” “How can you live without rice, beans, bread, pasta, etc?” And so on.

I try to stress to people that I’m not suffering, that I’m not eating bland foods, and that not only did I lose a lot of weight, but since I feel so much better, all aspects of my life have improved. I also discuss the improvements in my health as evidenced by my last physical and doctor’s visit.

The overwhelming majority of people treat me with wonderment, as if I’m doing something incredibly difficult or that they could never imagine themselves doing. Only a very few people ask for more information or ask for links, addresses, book recommendations, etc. Of those few, I’m not sure how many follow through, but I am pretty sure that number is low as well.

The perception is that living the Paleo Lifestyle is somehow difficult or wrought with deprivation when nothing could be further from the truth. I’ve stated many times on this blog that the foods I eat are not only delicious, but satisfying and good for me. Since cutting out added-sugars, I no longer have cravings between meals. The overwhelming majority of the foods I eat are actually some of the most delicious foods I’ve ever had. They have the added bonus of being good for me!

Eating high-carb foods is a temporary or fleeting satisfaction that goes against the long-term goals I have for losing weight and staying healthy. I’m happy to be where I am, and I’m looking forward to where I’m headed (165 lbs). I’m getting close, and while the rate of loss has been fairly steady, the actual lbs lost has dropped. This only makes sense because there’s less of me!

Living the Paleo Lifestyle is easier than you think and doesn’t put a damper on my enjoyment of food. On the contrary, I now taste so many more flavors vividly since cutting out added sugars and eating more natural and whole ingredients. Since I only eat to fuel my body, I don’t feel sluggish or tired after meals, and the improvements in my health have greatly increased my standard of living. If I’m doing any suffering, I haven’t yet found where. I don’t miss sweets, breads, pasta, and grains as much as I thought I would. In fact, I don’t crave them at all, and I haven’t in nearly a year.

Don’t let anyone fool you: this is completely do-able and sustainable long-term. It’s a lifestyle that contains lots and lots of food you’re already used to eating with some ingredient swaps that allow you to eat foods that are just like other foods you enjoy. This is the good life.