Ep. 283: Handling Critics, Conflicts and Vegans In this episode, we talk about conflicts with people, especially vegans, about the paleo diet and how to defend your choices. Click here to listen in iTunes If you enjoy the show, please review it in iTunes!   The Paleo View (TPV), Episode 283: Handling Critics, Conflicts and Vegans News and Views (0:41) Wow! It's been 5 and a half years of podcasting! We've really evolved over these years! Reminder about Sarah's AIP Lecture series! We're in the season where you'll encounter well meaning people who want to challenge your diet choices and there's a ton of new vegan propaganda documentaries out there. Sarah's takedown of What the Health is here. Sarah thinks that Stacy, a reformed vegetarian, might have insight on how to handle social situations Monique says (10:09), "Hi Stacy and Sarah! Thanks for your amazing work in promoting health and wellness. I am not new to Paleo and have been a fan of you both for a while but only recently started listening to your podcasts on my daily walks. So, my question is this: how do you approach vegetarians, vegans, or pro-plant based people in a social setting who talk smack about the Paleo diet and claim that meat eaters are unhealthy, sluggish, ignorant, selfish, etc? I usually either get mad and start going off about how they overload on grains and don't actually eat a lot of vegetables compared to Paleo, say nothing, or talk about how a diet based in vegetables, fruits, and animal protein has drastically changed my life for the better. I don't necessarily have a problem with vegetarianism/veganism (I have a couple of meatless meals per week), but it's not a lifestyle that's sustainable and healthiest for me full time - a Paleo template is. What is your way of approaching these situations?" If someone is aggressive and trolly at you, don't engage! It won't turn out well. And sometimes you have to agree to disagree. If someone is vegetarian for religious reasons, we don't think it's appropriate to question it. Stacy is reminded of eating with Matt as a vegetarian and being repulsed by his rare burger. They eventually changed their views due to intellectual exploration. There is common ground on animal welfare between paleo and vegans. We both want animals to live as close to natural lives as possible and to live cruelty-free lives. Also, growing corn, soy and wheat is hard on the planet. Beef is better than chicken, too. You take fewer lives per meal and its better for you. Sarah points out that eating nose to tail is more respectful, less wasteful and better for your health Sarah considers paleo to be a plant based diet and is shocked that some paleo people think you only need meat. The evidence is very strong that we are omnivores! Stacy is reminded of her brother, the twinkie vegan. He's only interested in not eating animals, not in health benefits. Break down what's most important to the other person and address it from their concerns. Listen to what they have to say! Please Rate and review us! Outro (42:46) Support us by shopping through links on our sidebars, please! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices