----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Scalise, David G SrA USAF ANG 146 SFS/SP 

  Do people on the Paleo diet cheat?


  David, congrats on your loss of 106 pounds and your general fitness.  In answer to your question, I suppose whether we cheat or not depends on the extent of our commitment to this way of eating and also, in some cases, to whether or not we are simply maintaining or whether we are trying for weight loss, optimum health, et cetera.

  I have been eating this way for about 14 years.  And, yes, I do cheat.... especially when I am at dinner parties or traveling.  When I cheat at home, it is generally with a sandwich made from Ezekiel bread from my local health food store; it is made from sprouted grains.  I'm not saying that it is beneficial to me in any way.  Ezekiel bread does come in hotdog and hamburger buns too, but they are thick, and that is way too much grain for me even when I'm cheating.  So, I slice the hot dogs in half and put them on E. bread.

  I also cheat occasionally with locally raised honey, that is purchased from the farm of a friend of mine.

  Even Ray Audette, who wrote the little book, "Neanderthin" in 1995 and who was affiliated with this list at one time, cheated occasionally.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Ray said that his particular downfall was Hagen Daas ice cream, purchased at the local mall in Texas.  

  I have found that if I stay on the paleo diet at home and try to continue my way of eating in restaurants, the occasional lapse at a party is not the end of the world.  If you stay on the list with us for a while, David, you will find that there are many ways to stay pale in almost every circumstance, without having to withdraw from the world or feel that you are depriving yourself.  In fact, the longer you are off the standard diet, the less cravings you will have for inappropriate foods.

  Very good luck to you; it sounds like you have made great progress so far.
  Kath