Have you ever heard of an almond mom? Chances are, you have. But do you know what it means or what it refers to? The moniker may be cuter than the definition. Let's dive in here to what it means and more importantly, what it means for modern-day motherhood.
The definition of an almond mom.
An almond mom is a parent, guardian, or authority figure caught in the grips of diet culture. Diet culture places an undue focus on what is considered “healthy” eating and exercise, as well as body image. The term was popularized by Gigi Hadid in reference to her mother, Yolanda Hadid, in regards to Yolanda's obsessive behavior in regards to Gigi's diet. Colloquially, the phrase carries a negative connotation toward an obsession with diet culture, weight, and even fat phobia.
How to tell if you’re an almond mom.
Do you find yourself frequently commenting on your children's eating habits, weight or appearance? What kind of diet restrictions have you imposed in the home? While encouraging healthy eating is certainly something a good parent would do, almond moms take this to a level that becomes unhealthy and damaging toward a child's self-esteem and well-being. Ask yourself if you accept your body as it is. Now do you do the same for your children? What standards do you hold for them and their body sizes?
Almond mom behavior often stems from the way you were treated as a child. Did you have an almond mom? Was there a parent in your life obsessed with your weight or thinness?
The challenges of having an almond mom.
Having an almond mom yourself could lead to you having an unhealthy relationship with food and a lack of body positivity you could end up passing along to your children. Rewiring our brains to think and act differently than the way we were raised is hard, but honest reflection on our own upbringing can lead to some needed motivation.
How comfortable are you when you see yourself in the mirror? Does your appearance affect your mental health? Do you like to eat healthy because it makes you feel good or because you feel like you somehow less worthwhile as a human being if you do not?
Being raised by an almond mom can directly challenge the lens with which you view nutrition. While we should be looking at the foods we consume as a way of making our bodies strong, you may be view as a source of weight gain and carry the stigmas that come with it. Reconfiguring your relationship with food, health and nutrition is vital to recovery.
Why almond moms’ behavior is problematic.
While it is essential to be mindful of what we eat and strive for a balanced diet, the behavior of an almond mom is problematic. For those with an almond mom, their restrictive diets can lead to feelings of guilt and shame if they ever “indulge” in a “forbidden” food. This guilt can become internalized, making it difficult to enjoy food fully without feeling guilty. Additionally, this diet can become a source of conflict in relationships. It is essential to recognize that while eating healthy is important, it should not be done at the expense of joy and pleasure.
Furthermore, the behavior of almond moms can create an unhealthy environment filled with rules and regulations. Often, these rules are based on the idea of perfectionism, and they leave no room for flexibility or variation. This environment can be detrimental to a person’s mental health as it creates unrealistic expectations that can be difficult to meet. Binge-eating, disordered eating and other unhealthy diet behaviors can result from being stuck in this environment.
How to recover from an almond mom.
The key to recovering from an almond mom is to challenge diet culture head-on, process the impact of having an almond mom on you, and unlearn what was taught to you. Having an almond mom can lead to unhealthy pressure around food and body image and poor relationships between parent and child.
To recover from an almond mom, starting by challenging diet culture head-on is essential. Consider the societal messages you’ve been fed about food and body image since you were young, and recognize how they may influence your feelings towards yourself and your family. Take time to think about what healthy eating looks like for you—this may be different from the almond mom’s definition of healthy eating.
Processing the impact that having an almond mom had on you can also help you recover. Take time to reflect on how your relationship with food and body image has been affected, and acknowledge any feelings that come up. Remember that your worth and value are not based on what you eat or how much you weigh. Commit to parenting differently.
Finally, it’s important to unlearn what was taught to you. This means challenging the messages around food and body image that you received from your almond mom. It’s OK if these beliefs have become part of your identity—remember that it doesn’t define who you are. It’s also important to remember that health is about so much more than what we eat; factors such as sleep, exercise, relationships, and mental health are just as important as nutrition.
Recovering from an almond mom can be difficult, but it’s possible. You can find a healthier relationship with food and body image that works for you with patience and understanding.
