What is an Almond Mom?

What is an “Almond Mom?” And 5 tips on how to not be one.

You may have heard the term “Almond Mom” being thrown around on social media. Or, maybe you have no idea what that is. Whether or not you have heard this term before, I am sure you personally know of an “Almond Mom” – you might even be one! Read on to find out.

An Almond Mom is a parent who is highly preoccupied with body image and dieting. An Almond Mom may dole out common yet questionable nutrition advice to their child, which is often ill-informed and rooted in diet culture. Whether or not the intention is to encourage dieting behaviors or disordered eating in the child, this is often the consequence of comments like this. Being an “Almond Mom” can sound like:

“You can’t be hungry, you had a big dinner”

“We are having lasagna for dinner tonight, you might want to have a smaller lunch”

“Are you going to the gym tomorrow? I see you’re taking seconds.”

“A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips!”

“You might not be hungry - you’re probably just thirsty”

“You’re ordering the cheesecake? You’re so bad - I could never eat that”

Comments like these send the message that:

• Food must be earned (by exercise or by eating less in a prior meal)

• Foods are either good or bad

• You have to compensate for eating (by exercise or by restricting)

• You are good or bad for eating certain foods

Although comments and thoughts like this are normalized within our culture, that does not mean they are not harmful. This sends the message to a growing child that they need to limit what they eat to attain a desirable figure, or to be “healthy.” However, a developing child needs adequate food and is supposed to be gaining weight. Restricting their food, and focusing on dieting is never appropriate. Not to mention, encouraging a dieting mindset in a child sets them up for a poor relationship with food and with their body.

While an “Almond Mom” can be a parent that encourages their child to eat a certain way, or pushes diet culture ideals on their child, that is not the only type of Almond Mom that there is. There are other, more subtle ways to be an “Almond Mom.”

An Almond Mom can also be a parent that speaks negatively about their own body and eating habits. This may sound like:

“I need to lose 10 pounds before our vacation”

“I should stop with all the carbs. I’ve been so bad lately”

“I’m not having dinner - I had a big lunch”

“I’m so hungry, but I’ll just have a few almonds”

“I can’t believe I ate that cheesecake for dessert - I have to go to the gym tomorrow”

Comments like these are very common. However, when a parent engages in dieting and negative body image talk, it can be just as damaging as directly commenting on a child’s eating habits or body size. It is important to remember that children are always listening, and that they learn by example. A parent is the main role model for a child, and the way that a parent views and treats their body is ultimately how a child learns to treat his/her own body.

This all goes to say that parents should be aware of their own behaviors and the way that they discuss food and body image in front of their child.

You may be thinking - what is the harm in a parent wanting their child to eat healthy foods and exercise? Well, it is completely acceptable for a parent to encourage their child to engage in health-promoting behaviors like eating vegetables, drinking water, and moving their body. However, the way a parent encourages these behaviors makes all the difference. If a parent encourages a certain way of eating and exercising as a means to shape a child’s body - this is when it becomes problematic. Instead, a child should be encouraged to exercise and eat nourishing foods because it will make them feel strong and energized! Not because it will make them have a thin body; this should not be a concern of a child.

It is important to note that the encouragement of health-promoting behaviors should not come at the expense of restricting other foods that are often deemed “unhealthy,” such as cookies and cake.

Why shouldn’t a child be restricted from eating cookies and cake? Aren’t those foods bad for them? Well - the restriction of foods like this is likely more detrimental than the nutritional value of the food itself. Here is why: When a child is restricted from certain foods, and told that they are “bad,” this leads to a black and white way of thinking about food, and can ultimately lead to disordered eating. These “off limits” or “junk” foods are then put on a pedestal by the child, due to the scarcity of them and them being labeled as a “treat.” The reason that this is not ideal is because when the child ultimately does get access to this food, it can lead to overconsumption, or eating the food in secret.

After reading this, reflect on your own diet and exercise behaviors that you either model, or encourage, for your children. If you find that maybe you are indeed an “Almond Mom,” do not be ashamed, or feel as though it is your fault. These thoughts and behaviors are a result of the normalization of dieting and the desire for thinness in our culture. The purpose of this article is to highlight the fact that although these behaviors are normalized, they should not be glorified. By simply being more aware of the impact that “Almond Mom” behaviors can have on a child’s mindset, parents can gain a better understanding on how to raise children with healthy relationships with food and their bodies.

So, in order to help your child have a healthy relationship with food and their body - don’t be an Almond Mom! But how?

Check out my blog post: 5 Tips on How NOT to be an Almond Mom