Every time I think I’ve heard it all, I hear something new.

“You can’t really be enjoying all that Paleo stuff without bread, rice, and beans!”

Ugh. Yes, I can.

The food I eat is not only better for me and my body, but oftentimes is more flavorful and filling than their non-Paleo counterparts. The misconceptions people have about Paleo stems from bad information, misinformation, and a fear of change coupled with the inability to separate themselves mentally from certain foods while embracing new ones in their place. I’ve stated many times before my love for pasta, bread, pizza, and all things grain-based. Don’t even get me started on a good chocolate cake! But I recognized that these foods are not good for me, and I either eat Paleo-friendly analogues to these foods, or I don’t eat them at all. One thing I definitely miss: croissants. There is no Paleo alternative to a good, flaky, tender croissant.

Other than the croissant, I’ve found that nearly everything I’ve eaten that is a Paleo alternative has been not only as-good, but oftentimes better. Some of the Paleo foods are very easy to make, while admittedly others are very time consuming. But I justify it by reasoning that my health is worth the extra effort. Fortunately, Sherry agrees.

Changing my relationship with food was key to accepting the Paleo Diet. Not only did I eat too much, I ate for fun. I ate the wrong foods, and in large amounts. I needed to distance myself from these bad foods. I also had to refocus my taste to things I could eat instead of fixating on the things I could no longer eat. Case in point: bread. I still love bread, but I put it out of my mind and instead allowed myself to think about the foods I can still have that I’ve always loved: steak, brisket, sausage, pulled pork, lobster, crab, fish, shrimp, BBQ chicken, chicken wings, etc. The list of foods that I can still eat on the Paleo Diet is pretty darned huge. So big, in fact, that I no longer miss the “Bad foods.”

I can eat at nearly any restaurant unless is a Panera or a boulangerie. I have been on the Paleo Diet for over two years, and I’ve lost over 150 lbs. I haven’t had any difficulty with adhering to the Paleo Diet, and as diets go, it’s pretty darned simple. Do the work and find out what Paleo is about before you dismiss it out of hand.