A MUM-OF-THREE has found herself at the centre of backlash after revealing she’s put her five-year-old daughter on a diet.
Ellena explained that she’s noticed her middle has started gaining weight recently, and is conscious that it might lead to her being picked on at .
Mum-of-three Ellena said she’s putting her daughter on a diet after noticing she’s gained a bit of weightCredit: TikTok/girliemum
One of the biggest thing she’s changing is the snack drawer, which is currently filled with less than healthy treatsCredit: TikTok/girliemum
The kids also have access to another cupboard full of crisps and other snacksCredit: TikTok/girliemum
She’s hoping she can convince her daughters to have more healthy snacks rather than the calorific, high sugar onesCredit: TikTok
So, in a bid to stop that from happening, Ellena decided to revamp her kids’ diet – making it healthier for them all.
She explained her reasoning in a video on her TikTok page, as she said: “I know everyone’s gonna attack me for this, but I’ve noticed one of my daughters has been putting on a little bit of and I don’t want her to get bullied at school.
“So I’m putting her on a healthier diet.”
She insisted it’s “not a strict diet”, but is “just healthier”, and she’s been enforcing swaps such as white bread for a 50/50 loaf, and baked crisps instead of regular.
She’s also got some other healthy snack options, such as carrots and hummus, olives, blueberries and rice cakes.
“All three of them snack, but my middle one puts on more weight,” Ellena continued.
“She’s basically me – we are curvy.
“And I just don’t want her to suffer at school and get picked on or anything.”
One thing she’s going to change is the snack drawer they currently have in their kitchen, which is jam packed with crisps, chocolates and “everything you can think of”.
“This is another bad drawer,” she said.
“There are crisps everywhere, open to them.
“So when she’s hungry, that’s what she goes for.”
Ellena said her plan is to replace the “bad snacks” with healthier choices, and is going to try and make it so that she controls when the kids snack – so they “won’t have so much a day”.
“Please tell me you understand and you feel me because I just don’t want to feel like a bad mum right now,” she concluded.
“I’m hoping they don’t hate me for this,” Ellena added in the video caption.
But people in the comments section were divided – with some praising her for the approach, while others said it was unnecessary.
What is the NHS' advice for helping children stay a healthy weight?
THE NHS has tonnes of advice on their website about helping children stay a healthy weight.
They say parents should:
- encourage your children to do some kind of activity every day. It can be a good idea to find something they like doing, such as sports or playground activities, and encouraging that
- try to give them a healthy, balanced diet that includes fruit and vegetables, starchy foods, protein and dairy
- use rewards like stickers for when your children reach their activity or food goals
- make yourself their role model by staying active and eating healthily
- help them get enough sleep. By enforcing a regular bedtime routine, and removing technology from their bedrooms, you are helping them stay healthy too
“Now imagine her seeing this,” one wrote.
“All for making healthier choices/changes for healthier alternatives but diet culture for children is NOT something you should be encouraging.”
“You don’t need to put your child on a diet,” another insisted.
“You need to model healthy habits, talk about healthy behaviors and talk about different body sizes with her.”
“100% kids at school know about your TikTok and are going to see this but you don’t want her to get bullied?” a third questioned.
With another agreeing: “She will not get bullied because of her weight but because of this video”.
However, there were also those who said Ellena was doing the best thing she could by trying to promote a healthier way of eating.
“You’re being responsible,” one said.
“If you’re all doing it then she won’t feel targeted. It’s easy to get fixated on your weight at that age so I’d recommend doing some fun family sporting activities together too so it’s a healthy lifestyle change not just all about food.”
“You’re a very good mum,” another praised.
“Not a lot of mums would think like this, well done.”
“Nothing wrong with promoting healthy eating,” a third said.
“Don’t make it about weight. In fact, don’t mention it. Sincerely – someone whose first bully was their mother.”
“I got bullied for my weight and now as an adult struggle to lose it,” someone else wrote.
“I can confirm you’re doing the right thing just don’t let her know you’re doing it because of her, make it like it’s for all the family to be healthier.”
Ellena’s plan divided opinion among those in the comments sectionCredit: TikTok/girliemum
Some praised her for being “responsible”, while others urged her to be careful about how she refers to the “diet”Credit: TikTok
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
