Free Everyday Paleo by Sarah Fragoso Page B

bread. In such a case, ignore the bread when it arrives!). If you order a salad, ask to leave off the croutons and cheese, and ask for olive oil and lemon or vinegar on the side. Another option is to order a hamburger without the bun and a side salad. Just make sure you trust the quality of the meat and ask if they mix any fillers like bread crumbs in the patties.
    Another great restaurant option for eating out paleo style is Mexican food. I suggest ordering fajitas, which typically include grilled chicken, beef, or shrimp with grilled vegetables. Order this meal without the rice, beans, and tortillas, and instead order a side of guacamole or avocado. Succulently seasoned meat, veggies, and guacamole, topped with some salsa, can be a paleo meal that one only dreams of!
    Thai food can also be a wonderful paleo choice. Stick to curries, which are typically made with coconut milk and spices, rather than soy-based sauces, and ask for additional vegetables instead of rice.
    Looking a bit farther than what’s on the menu in front of you is the best way to navigate the undeniable fact that you will be eating at restaurants now and then. Do not be afraid to ask for what you want, as most establishments are happy to oblige with substitutions.
    SURVIVAL GUIDE: PEER PRESSURE
    Your paleo survival guide also includes how to manage friends who simply do not understand why you are eating paleo and enjoy giving you a hard time about it. My favorite is when I hear, “Sarah, you’re already skinny, why don’t you just eat the bread?” Education is the best weapon, but if you do not understand why you are eating paleo, you will find it extremely difficult to explain your choices. With that said, in the beginning I would focus on what you are doing for yourself and not worry about what everyone else might be thinking. To be perfectly blunt, we typically imagine that people think or talk a great deal more about us than they actually do. Most people are more worried about what we are thinking, talking, or feeling about them than they do about us. Second, as you start to look, feel, and perform better, people will notice these positive changes before they notice that you no longer have a turkey sandwich for lunch.
    If people do ask questions, simply say you are taking better care of yourself. If you find yourself in a situation in which friends or family members are seriously concerned about the missing grains on your plate, inform these folks about the paleo diet as best you can. Explain that by eating paleo you are hoping to make a positive life change. However, avoid calling it a diet because most folks will not take you seriously if they think you are simply trying this month’s latest fad.
    If someone really gives you a hard time about not eating grains, and yes some people do, instead of getting into a senseless argument, present this person with a challenge. Ask him or her to try eating paleo for thirty days. If the person does not feel, look, or perform better, promise that you will go back to eating a standard American diet. Third, recommend that people do their own research rather than harp on you for answers. Suggest to your friends the books that you have read, e-mail them links to your favorite and most informative paleo blogs, and introduce them to articles that have supportive research on the benefits of paleo eating. The simple truth is that by eating meats, vegetables, and healthy fats, you are actually getting more nutrients than you ever could from a diet filled with whole grains. Education is your best argument, and suggesting that people find out for themselves leaves you more time to focus on the most important thing, your good health and well-being. Last but not least, if you have a person in your life that is extremely adamant, rude, and unsupportive of your endeavor to improve your health, maybe this is the time to reconsider the importance of maintaining your relationship with this person.
    SURVIVAL GUIDE: