I've lost about 105 pounds, and haven't invited any of them back, while having 3 cups of coffee with 1/2 & 1/2 EVERY SINGLE DAY.
2 suggestions- adjust your mind set to ignoring, rather than addressing, people who criticize anything (ANYTHING) that attempts to detract you from your efforts to do what you learn to be healthiest and best for yourself. What YOU are doing that is legal, and healthy FOR YOU is nobody's business but yours.
and also-
be wary of feeling as though you must follow whatever model of nourishing your body SO SCRUPULOUSLY that you feel "wrong" if you make the slightest variation in what is working for you.