When Shan Cooper fed her child the controversial paleo diet, it went viral.
Grace, now eight, grew up on a diet rich in fresh foods, meat, eggs, and no processed sweets. ‘My Food Religion’ is a well-known site where her mother posts nutritious meals that use
“ingredients that are as close to their natural state as possible and have undergone minimal processing.” However, Grace always ate right, even though many adults chose to lead healthier lives.
A child who did not consume refined sugar
In addition to foods like roast chicken, avocado, sauerkraut, fruit, broccoli, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, eggs fried in coconut oil, organic beef, zucchini noodles, and the like, Grace’s diet at 13 months included breast milk twice a year. . day. Shan made strawberry panna cotta with coconut cream (no refined sugar) to commemorate her first birthday, even though she doesn’t usually eat dessert.
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According to her mother in 2015, Grace had only been sick once at this age and Shan attributed her immunity to her nutrient-rich diet. “She spends a lot of time with other kids who are sick all the time — who have smiley faces, coughs, colds — but she just doesn’t pick it up,” she explained. “I’m not protecting her from anything, that’s for sure. I firmly believe she’ll develop a strong immune system as a result of eating a highly nutritious diet.” [1]
After experiencing food allergies, Shan decided to follow a paleo diet in an effort to improve her health. She began to gradually avoid processed foods, dairy products, and gluten. “I just got sick of not feeling great,” she said. “That became my normal and (I decided) it wasn’t going to be normal anymore.”
The Paleo diet, which emphasizes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts, is modeled after what cavemen might have consumed in Paleolithic times. Refined sugar, wheat, legumes, dairy, and processed foods in general are banned under the regime.
However experts have raised concerns about the diet, particularly because it leaves out dairy products, which are rich sources of calcium and protein, as well as nutritious grains and legumes, which are great providers of fiber, vitamins, and many other nutrients. Some argue that the diet oversimplifies what ancient humans ate, as different food sources would have been available depending on where they lived, and studies have shown that grains were part of early human diets thousands of years before agriculture became widespread. |2]
“I’m not Paleo…”
While Shan follows a broad paleo diet, she doesn’t follow it strictly. “I am not vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, fat-free, carb-free, or any other food ‘label’ comprehensively,” she states on her website. I choose my favorite elements from different culinary techniques and recipes and adjust them according to my mood. [3]
Naturally, cooking from scratch every day takes a lot of time, care, and effort.
However, Shan is not strict about Grace’s diet. “What she’s consuming right now is nothing out of the ordinary or out of the ordinary that normal people wouldn’t consume. She loves it. I don’t give her cereal or toast or anything like that. Once again, I’m like, ‘Those things definitely won’t kill her.'” when she eats a slice of bread.
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Shan admitted to Grace when she was still a newborn that she was going to have a birthday party soon with lots of cake, sweets, and food. “I won’t ban her from children’s events. She will attend children’s meetings and eat the food that is served. “You can’t eat anything at this party, but I packed you a bag of cabbage, here you go.” ‘ I will never go to Grace.
Shan actually thinks that children are intuitive eaters by nature. As Grace gets older, she intends to develop this intuition to help her recognize which foods are good for her and which are not. And that often requires trial and error. She will be old enough to understand that she can consume whatever she wants. She is most likely to say, “Mommy, I don’t feel very well,” after she comes home after indulging in cake and sugar. Plus, next time she could only eat three cupcakes instead of twelve.
Building a positive relationship with food
Shan stated, “I don’t want there to be any disordered eating around food,” pointing out that eating disorders affect many women.
“What makes Grace happy is what I want her to consume. To that end, I eat this way. I don’t think eating a piece of bread will kill me. I only eat what’s on the menu when I go to dinner.” with friends Not that I’m crazy about it. In addition, they will find out what they feel good about and what they don’t.
Mother Grace is an expert in identifying nutritious substitutes for the traditional junk food that children eat.
Grace is currently eight years old. 14] People naturally want to know the truth: Has Shan given Grace permission to consume sweets now that she is older? About four months ago, a fan asked her on Instagram and asked, “My question is, does Grace tell you when she wants to try something sweet like candy?” Shan’s reply was, “Sure. She used to eat sweets at the children’s gatherings.”
The flexibility to eat junk food can promote a positive relationship with food, which is essential.
Finding foods that fill you up and nourish you is essential, as is cutting back on foods that make you sick.
In conclusion, Shan Cooper’s approach to raising her daughter Grace on a mostly refined, sugar-free diet has sparked both interest and debate. By emphasizing fresh, whole foods and avoiding processed sweets, Shan believes she is helping Grace develop a strong immune system and a positive relationship with food. While experts may question the strict limitations of the paleo diet, Shan’s flexibility, which allows Grace to enjoy treats at social gatherings, reflects a balanced view. She is careful not to impose restrictive behaviors but instead tries to encourage intuitive eating habits that encourage Grace to listen to her body and make informed choices as she grows.
A key takeaway from Shan’s approach is the importance of creating a healthy food environment without inducing fear or anxiety about food. Grace’s experience shows that it is possible to nourish the body with healthy foods while leaving room for occasional indulgences. By teaching Grace to be aware of how different foods feel, Shan is guiding her toward a future where she can make independent, confident, and balanced choices. Ultimately, the focus is not on perfection, but on building a sustainable and positive relationship with food—one that will serve Grace well as she continues to grow.