Dealing with the naysayers- keto style

If you have even somewhat considered contemplating adopting a ketogenic lifestyle, you know allllll about the naysayers. As soon as you want to pursue a diet plan that many simply do not understand, you will undoubtedly be bombarded by criticisms and opinions from all of your friends, family, and even strangers. All of whom suddenly believe they possess a doctorate degree in biology and human nutrition. Meanwhile, they gnash on their overly-processed, sugar-laden foods as is typical in the Standard American Diet and continue to berate you for how "unhealthy" you are for eating fats. After they get done spewing their sadly uninformed and unwarranted opinions at you about how "terrible" fat is for you, and how "you NEED carbs and sugar to live", take a deep breath. Maybe take another one.... Be prepared to encounter this for the remainder of your journey into the world of ketogenic dieting. I have been a full-fledged keto-eater for over two and a half years now, and I still battle with the people closest to me not understanding the basic concepts of what I am doing. I have come to realize that no matter how many times you explain what a ketogenic diet is, nor how many times you list the NUMEROUS health benefits, if someone does not want to listen, it will simply fall upon deaf ears. I have come to believe that much of this intentional ignorance is simply to camouflage a lack of desire to change themselves. They hear about the health benefits, they see the results, they hear the rave reviews of how great keto eaters feel, but yet they stick to their guns that fat is actually the enemy. Because to acknowledge that it all sounds valid and legitimate would mean that they no longer have an excuse for not working to better their own health. But, that could take me on a whole other tangent, so we'll save that for a different time. For now, let me share with you a story that brings great pleasure to my soul:

My in-laws, God love them, are very nice people. They've always been good to us and been welcoming and kind to me since day one. However, they are incredibly unhealthy for not even being of retirement age yet. They cumulatively suffer from Diabetes, gout, COPD, Asthma, Macular Degeneration, Arthritis, fatigue, brain fog,, anxiety, high stress and the list goes on. Their diet, not surprisingly, is a train wreck. My mother in law whole-heartedly believes that if she cooks the food at home then it is considered home made and therefore healthy. Wellllll, no. Not when every dish is loaded with sugars, sauces, artificial ingredients, nutrient devoid flours, etc. Their diet is a recipe for inflammation and disease, and their increasing health problems clearly evidence that.

My father in law, I think, would be more apt to try or at least consider a healthier lifestyle, however he also claims that they are too old and far gone for it to matter, and my mother in law, more or less, is the deciding voice in their dietary choices....this seriously makes me so sad that I could cry. It is never to late to take back your health! Whether that means going keto or simply learning to make healthier food choices, it is never too late.

So anyway, long story short(ish), they have been the biggest naysayers to my husband and I regarding us following a ketogenic lifestyle. This is despite my impressive weight loss, our increased energy and mental focus, my husband's complete loss of carpal tunnel and arthritis...need I go on? But they continue to maintain that our diet surely must be terrible, bla bla bla. WELL, after we announced we were expecting a little one in October, we went out to eat with them. It is always nice going out with them, but the conversation always invariably turns to diet and nutrition (and I don't even start it! I try to keep my mouth shut about that stuff with them so I don't get frustrated!). So eventually my mother in law asks (like I knew she would), "Well what did the doctor say about your diet when you went in for your ultrasound??" And oh my gawd, it may have been the single most satisfying moment of my life when I got to inform them both that not only was my doctor okay with our diet, but when I fully explained the kinds of food we ate (tons of healthy fats, lots of veggies, no processed garbage, and low carb), she was thrilled and actually made the comment that it was an excellent diet for the average person, and certainly during pregnancy, and she wished she had more patients who were so good about their nutrition.

I seriously could not keep the smug ass smile off my face as I told them, and my husband had to try to restrain his chuckling, as he knows how long I have been waiting to fire that cannon. And, of course, they were sooooo surprised, letting out a simultaneous, "Really?!?!" Yes. There. Now will you accept that perhaps our diet is actually healthy? Or is the opinion of an esteemed medical doctor meaningless to you?!

**DISCLAIMER** 

 My in laws are wonderful people with many amazing qualities, so while this post may seem like a bashing rant on them, it is merely meant to illustrate how common it is even for the most loving and well-intentioned people in your life to not fully understand your health decisions. During these times, the best you can do is recognize that they are only voicing their opinions because they genuinely care for you, and just keep trying to explain the benefits to them.

Moral of the story: the naysayers will always be there. You just need to focus on you. Know that what you are doing is what is right for your health and body, and if you do your research, you will be consuming a nutrient dense diet that will help your body flourish and thrive throughout the years to come. The best you can do is to strive to teach by example and stand your ground when people criticize your choices. And someday, you just might get through to someone and help inspire them to pursue a healthier lifestyle. And that is honestly one of the most rewarding feelings in the world. Knowing that something I set out to do solely for my own benefit has helped to inspire others to make healthy changes in their diets and exercise makes me so unbelievably happy. It almost makes up for all the naysayers out there! ;)