Shan Cooper became famous for introducing her child to the controversial paleo diet.
Eight-year-old Grace was raised mostly on fresh produce, meat, eggs, and dairy without processed sugar. Her mother is known for her blog ‘My Food Religion’, where she posts nutritious meals made from ‘ingredients that have undergone minimal processing and are as close to their natural state as possible.’ But Grace grew up eating healthy. Although many adults choose a better lifestyle.
The child who only drank pure sugar
When Grace was 13 months old, her diet consisted of breast milk twice a day along with foods such as broccoli, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, roasted chicken, avocado, sauerkraut, fruit, organic beef, zucchini noodles, and other similar foods. Eggs were also fried in coconut oil. Shan made her strawberry panna cotta with coconut cream (no refined sugar) for 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 notice,” she explained. It’s not like I’m protecting her from these things. I strongly believe that her strong immune system is a result of her nutritionally rich diet.”
After battling food allergies, Shan decided to follow a paleo diet to get better. She began to gradually eliminate dairy products, gluten, and industrially processed foods. “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.”
Based on what cavemen are thought to have eaten during the Paleolithic era, the Paleo diet emphasizes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. Milk, wheat, legumes, refined sugar, and processed foods in general are banned under the regime. However, experts are concerned about the diet, especially because it does not contain dairy products, which are a great source of calcium and protein, and nutritious grains and legumes, which are excellent providers of fiber, vitamins, and many other nutrients. Some argue that the diet oversimplifies what people ate in the past; after all, different food sources would be available in different places, and studies have shown that grains were part of the early human diet thousands of years before agriculture became widespread.
“I’m not Paleo…”
While Shan generally follows a 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 kind of complete diet “label” as they state on their site. I adapt recipes and cooking techniques to my taste and what makes me feel good.”
Naturally, preparing meals from scratch daily requires a lot of attention, time, and effort. However, Shan is not strict about Grace’s diet. “(What she’s eating today) is nothing out of the ordinary or out of the ordinary that normal people wouldn’t consume. She loves it. She doesn’t get toast or cereal from me or anything like that. Once again to the conclusion that “this kind of thing definitely won’t kill her, I won’t lose my cool, when he eats a slice of bread.”
Shan realized when Grace was a baby that she would soon be going to birthday parties that would include cakes, sweets, and food.
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“I will not prevent her from participating in children’s gatherings.
He will attend children’s parties and eat the food served there. “You can’t eat anything at this party, but I packed you some kale, here you go,” there’s no reason I’d ever visit Grace.
Shan thinks that children are intuitive eaters by nature. As Grace gets older, he intends to develop this sense to help her learn which foods are good for her and which are not. And it usually takes some trial and error. “When he’s older, he’ll know he can eat whatever he wants.” She probably came home and had sugar and cake and said, “Mom, I’m not well.” Maybe next time she’d eat three cupcakes instead of twelve.”
Building a positive relationship with food
Shan stated, “I want to stop disordered eating around food,” pointing out that a large number of women suffer from eating disorders. “I want Grace to eat foods that satisfy her. That’s what I eat for. I don’t think eating a piece of bread is going to kill me. I get what’s on the menu when I go out to dinner with my friends.” I promise I won’t be rude to you, plus Shell will find out what makes her happy and what doesn’t.”
Grace is now eight years old and her mother is an expert in finding nutritious substitutes for the traditional junk food that children eat. 14. Of course, many are curious about the real story: did Shan permit Grace to eat sweets now that she’s older? “My question is, will Grace tell you when she wants to try something sweet, like candy?” her follower posed her on Instagram about four months ago. Shan replied, “Yes.” She ate sweets at children’s parties.
It is important to have a positive attitude towards food and indulging in junk food can encourage this. It’s all about reducing the things that make you sick and increasing the things that satisfy and nourish you.
Shan Cooper’s approach to her daughter Grace’s diet has sparked considerable debate about healthy eating and child nutrition. By following a modified Paleo diet, Shan strives to provide Grace with a nutrient-rich foundation while fostering an intuitive understanding of food. Her philosophy revolves around balance rather than strict dietary rules and allows Grace to sample a variety of foods, including sweets, at social gatherings.
Shana’s dedication to making healthy meals from scratch demonstrates her commitment, but she also recognizes the importance of flexibility. This flexibility helps Grace develop a healthy relationship with food, where indulgences are not seen as guilt, but rather as a natural part of life. By allowing Grace to enjoy treats in moderation, Shan teaches her that balance is key, which can promote long-term well-being.
As Grace grows, this approach can empower her to make informed food choices, allowing her to recognize what is good for her body. Shan’s perspective emphasizes the importance of cultivating a positive environment around food, which is key to preventing the disordered eating behaviors that many individuals face. Ultimately, Shan’s journey reflects the importance of nutrition, intuitive eating, and the role of parental guidance in shaping healthy habits for future generations.