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Editor’s Note: This article contains mentions of eating disorders and disordered eating. Please take care while reading, and note the helpful resources at the end of this story.
A troubling phenomenon in diet culture has prompted a serious discussion on TikTok.
The term “almond moms” has become popular on the app after an old clip from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills resurfaced. It featured a conversation between Yolanda Hadid and a much younger Gigi Hadid.
When Gigi called her mom to say she was hungry to the point of feeling weak, her mom told her to eat “a couple of almonds and chew them really well.”
Yolanda acknowledged the old clip in September, seemingly sarcastically using the hashtag #worstmomever while eating a giant bowl of almonds.
However, in October, she said the exchange was taken out of context. Yolanda claimed she was half asleep when Gigi called, and she just mumbled whatever came to her.
“There was no rhyme or reason to it. It’s such a silly narrative that is out there that has nothing to do with the reality of our lives,” Yolanda said.
Regardless of the original context, the term “almond mom” has gained traction. No matter what Yolanda’s intention was, many people feel as though they were raised by parents who did intend to send them an unhealthy message about nutrition.
Dr. Karla, a pediatrician and weight coach, discussed this phenomenon among the parents she is coaching.
She explained that almond moms are driven by the “pursuit of thin privilege” and that they actually get a dopamine hit by essentially passing on their disordered eating to their children.
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So-called almond moms are not concerned with health because, according to Dr. Karla, “they actually believe the child will be better if they’re thinner.”
In contrast to almond moms, people are sharing stories about their parents who were antithetical to them.
TikToker @itskaylasimone discussed how her mom was enthusiastic about her, gave her tons of positive reinforcement and made it a point for her to have healthy self-esteem.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating habits, contact the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) at 1-800-931-2237. You can also connect with a Crisis Text Line counselor at no charge by texting the word “HOME” to 741741. Visit the NEDA website to learn more about the possible warning signs of eating disorders and disordered eating.
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