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Research11 min readJanuary 27, 2025
Do Almond Moms Cause Eating Disorders?
Examining the impact of restrictive diet culture on children and how parental attitudes about food can affect eating behaviors.
By Med Consumer Watch Team
The term "almond mom" went viral after Yolanda Hadid's advice to her daughter Gigi to "eat a couple of almonds and chew them really well" resurfaced online. But beyond the meme, there's a serious question: Can restrictive parental attitudes about food contribute to eating disorders in children?
This article examines the research on parental influence on eating behaviors and what it means for families navigating weight and nutrition.
What Is an 'Almond Mom'?
An "almond mom" is internet slang for a parent (usually a mother) who:
• Promotes restrictive eating behaviors
• Comments frequently on their own or their children's weight
• Encourages minimal eating or specific "diet" foods
• Models disordered eating patterns
• Equates thinness with health, success, or worth
• Uses food as reward or punishment
The term became a way for adult children to discuss how parental attitudes about food and body image affected their relationship with eating.
What Research Shows About Parental Influence
Research on parental influence and eating disorders reveals several important patterns:
Parental comments about weight:
Studies consistently show that parental comments about a child's weight—whether critical or even well-intentioned—are associated with higher rates of disordered eating, body dissatisfaction, and unhealthy weight control behaviors.
Modeling behavior:
Children whose parents diet frequently or express dissatisfaction with their own bodies are more likely to develop negative body image and disordered eating themselves.
Food restriction:
Paradoxically, restricting certain foods often increases children's desire for those foods and can lead to overeating when access is available.
"Clean eating" pressure:
Extreme focus on "healthy" eating can contribute to orthorexia—an obsession with eating "correctly" that can be as harmful as other eating disorders.
Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. If you or someone you know is struggling, contact the National Eating Disorders Association helpline: 1-800-931-2237.
The Complex Picture of Eating Disorder Causes
While parental behavior plays a role, eating disorders have multiple causes:
Genetics:
Twin studies suggest 50-80% of eating disorder risk is genetic. Some people are biologically predisposed regardless of environment.
Personality factors:
Perfectionism, anxiety, and low self-esteem increase risk independent of parental influence.
Social and cultural factors:
Media, peers, and societal ideals of thinness all contribute to disordered eating.
Trauma:
Various forms of trauma are associated with increased eating disorder risk.
Parental influence is real, but it's one factor among many. Most "almond moms" don't intend harm, and most children of restrictive parents don't develop eating disorders.
Blaming individual parents oversimplifies a complex issue. Diet culture is pervasive, and parents often pass down the messages they themselves received.
Healthy Approaches for Parents
Research supports these healthier approaches to food and body image with children:
- Avoid commenting on your child's weight or body size
- Don't label foods as 'good' or 'bad'—use 'everyday' and 'sometimes' foods instead
- Model a healthy relationship with food yourself
- Don't diet in front of children or talk negatively about your own body
- Focus on what bodies can do, not how they look
- Allow all foods in moderation—restriction increases fixation
- Eat meals together without screens when possible
- Don't use food as reward or punishment
- Encourage intuitive eating—responding to hunger and fullness cues
- Teach media literacy about unrealistic body standards
When GLP-1 Medications Enter the Picture
The rise of GLP-1 weight loss medications adds another dimension to these conversations:
For adults with a history of eating disorders:
GLP-1 medications should be prescribed carefully, if at all, for those with eating disorder histories. The dramatic appetite suppression could potentially trigger restrictive patterns.
For adolescents:
Wegovy is approved for teens 12+, but prescribing requires careful consideration of psychological readiness and family dynamics.
Breaking the cycle:
Adults who grew up with "almond moms" and now struggle with weight may find GLP-1 medications helpful—or they may need to address underlying eating patterns first.
Family dynamics:
A parent taking GLP-1 medications should be mindful of how they discuss it around children to avoid modeling extreme restriction.
Breaking Generational Patterns
If you recognize "almond mom" patterns in your own upbringing:
It's not your fault:
Your relationship with food was shaped by forces beyond your control. Understanding this can reduce shame.
You can change:
Our patterns aren't destiny. Many adults work successfully to develop healthier relationships with food.
Professional help exists:
Therapists specializing in eating disorders, registered dietitians focused on intuitive eating, and support groups can all help.
Focus forward:
If you have children, you have the opportunity to break the cycle—and the awareness to do so.
The Bottom Line
Do "almond moms" cause eating disorders? The answer is nuanced. Parental attitudes about food and bodies significantly influence children's eating behaviors, and restrictive, weight-focused parenting is associated with higher rates of disordered eating. However, eating disorders have multiple causes including genetics, personality, and broader cultural factors.
Rather than assigning blame, the more productive approach is awareness and change. Parents can learn healthier ways to approach food with their children, and adults raised with problematic food messages can work to break those patterns in themselves and future generations.
If you're struggling with disordered eating—whether as a result of childhood experiences or other factors—help is available. And if you're a parent concerned about your own behavior, the fact that you're thinking about it is a good sign. It's never too late to model a healthier relationship with food.
Sources & References
- Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Parental Feeding Practices
- International Journal of Eating Disorders - Family Factors in Eating Disorders
- Pediatrics - Parent Comments and Adolescent Weight Control Behaviors
- National Eating Disorders Association - Risk Factors
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your health or medications. Individual experiences may vary.