You’ve probably heard of the “almond mom,” but Gen Z’s decision to embrace the controversial TikTok trend has raised even more concerns.
The video-sharing platform is now packed with clips of young women and teens claiming to be “almond daughters” as they show off their tiny, ultra-healthy meals and grueling exercise regimes.
The original phrase “almond mama” was inspired by Yolanda Hadid, who told her supermodel daughter Gigi to eat “a couple of almonds” when she said she was feeling weak.
The trend first spread to mothers, with their children posting videos of the small portions they ate throughout the day, following their mothers’ instructions. The mothers themselves were also photographed eating small portions.
But now daughters themselves appear to have joined in on the trend, with some users expressing concern that it may be glamorising restrictive eating and exercise habits.
One TikToker, who posts under the username @taylorflesherr, joined in on the trend by filming a video of herself walking with the caption: “Unfortunately I’m an almond daughter and will have a breakdown if I can’t get in my daily walk.”
A TikTok user shared a video describing herself as “THE daughter of the almond.” The new trend has sparked a debate over whether those who adopt the term “almond” are promoting restrictive eating or healthy eating.
Another user, @agleavefit, showed herself eating alongside the caption: ‘POV: You don’t have an almond mother, but you are 1000% an almond daughter.’
A social media user, who goes by the name @mariiapakhomovva, recently posted a video sharing her “almond daughter’s” eating habits, sharing a photo reel of meals she had eaten, including a big bowl of salad, dark chocolate snacks, and protein powder.
Commenters were divided on the video, with one writing in concern: “Almond’s daughter? OK, it’s actually clinically underweight and an eating disorder to maintain a low BMI like this. Hope it helps.”
Another person said: “An almond-shaped mother is code for an eating disorder. An almond-shaped mother has been battling so many issues for years that her children notice.”
In defence of the almond daughters, one wrote: “That’s just healthy eating, hope this helps,” while a second agreed, writing: “but that’s normal, I love these types of foods.”
This seems to reflect that many are less convinced when it comes to the influence of the “almond daughter” trend, with some describing it as “simply healthy” rather than strictly harmful.
Last year, millions of people shared their experiences of living with an “almond mom” and the hashtag racked up one billion views.
A second TikTok user described needing to go for a walk every day to avoid “a meltdown.” Last year, the term “almond mom” made its debut online, describing the mother’s obsessive eating habits; now the roles have been reversed and “almond daughters” are in the spotlight.
A third TikToker posted a video describing herself as “a 1000% almond daughter” while eating with a fork. The viral phrase was inspired by Yolanda Hadid, who told her daughter to eat almonds when she said she was feeling weak.
One TikTok user shared several examples of her diet that included large bowls of salad and healthy snacks.
The viral phrase was inspired by a resurrected Real Housewives of Beverly Hills clip when Yolanda Hadid advised her then-teenage daughter, supermodel Gigi Hadid (who was just 17 at the time), to “eat a couple almonds and chew them really well.”
Following the criticism, Yolanda, who was previously a model, responded to the criticism in an interview with People magazine saying she had been “half asleep” during the interaction with her daughter.
“I don’t even remember it… It didn’t make any sense. It’s such an absurd story that it has nothing to do with the reality of our lives,” he said.
Poking fun at her critics, a clip of Yolanda eating a large bowl of almonds while doing a variety of activities, including yoga, appeared alongside the caption: ‘#worstmodelhistory #almonds’.
The trend highlighted the restrictive eating habits favoured by the “heroin chic” era of the 1990s, when extremely thin figures were particularly fashionable and disordered eating behaviours were common among women.
“‘Almond moms’ set their children up to obsess over food and their bodies in ways that are toxic and extremely damaging,” an eating disorder specialist told Teen Vogue last year.
The women who identified with Gigi on the Real Housewives Of Beverley Hills episode shared similar stories about eating tiny portions and avoiding fast food at all costs.
In one video, a Gen Zer out to eat with her family compared her large portion of burger and fries to her mother, who left out the bun and begged her kids to finish their fries for her.
In another clip, an American TikToker went viral after sharing a video of her “almond mama” walking around a hospital room to “get her steps in” after an emergency visit.
Commenters on one user’s video expressed concern over her “almond-flavoured daughter’s” alleged diet, which showed her eating large salads and sandwiches.
Others remained convinced that an almond-fed daughter who shared photos of herself eating salads, protein powder and dark chocolate was “just healthy.”
Sadie Shaw, who uses the username @sstraining, posted a photo of her fitness-obsessed mother frantically pacing around the room while she lay in a hospital bed.
“I’m literally in the emergency room and my almond-shaped mother is just pacing back and forth so she can keep walking,” she wrote in the on-screen text attached to the clip.
“She asked me if she could do push-ups in the corner because she had skipped her workout class to meet me there,” she added in the caption.
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is often considered a famous example of an “almond mom” and has been criticized for her diet that includes drinking bone broth before completing an hour-long workout routine.
The “almond” trend emerged as a result of the popularization of Y2K fashion, which favors slimmer silhouettes and supports any means to achieve slimness.
In fact, several videos under the title ‘almond’ feature a TikTok sound that features a male voice describing Kate Moss when she dominated the fashion scene in the 1990s and 2000s.
The audio features a voice describing her as an “anorexia promoter” and is attached to a series of “almond daughter” videos, making it seem less likely that many are motivated by being “just healthy.”
For anyone struggling with the issues raised, the Beat Helpline, an eating disorder charity, is available 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677. You can visit their website. here.
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