A Gen Z woman recently went viral on TikTok after sharing a slideshow of images showcasing the contents of her fridge and cupboards.

In the post, Helen Humphrey-Taylor, 21, (@helentaylorrr), showed off tins of tuna, unsalted corn cakes, an “abundance” of chicken breasts and enough peanut butter to prepare for doomsday, referring to her home in the caption as an “almond household.”

On TikTok, the “almond mom” trend involves parents who follow strict diets and attempt to impose them on their children. Humphrey-Taylor, a retail consultant, insists this isn’t the case in her home in England.

“The term ‘almond’ can be used in a really negative way, and I want to stress that in no way at all is my household restrictive like some people might assume,” she told Newsweek. “I mean ‘almond’ in the most healthy and happy way!”

Humphrey-Taylor posted the slideshow on November 3, and it has since gathered more than 1.9 million views. Other images include a fridge drawer for avocados, cans of kombucha, salmon, three large tubs of Greek yogurt, a fruit bowl filled with bananas and homemade sourdough bread.

Humphrey-Taylor, who lives with her parents and older sister, said their diet hadn’t always been that way. Her parents began running a few years ago, and she adopted a healthier lifestyle while living in Australia.

“I brought a lot of healthy habits home with me,” she said, adding: “We’ve become more health-conscious since the coronavirus pandemic, and we’ve also had more time at home to prepare meals from scratch.

“We discovered how much more beneficial it is to eat home-cooked meals using whole foods from scratch.”

The National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association reported that 54 percent of 8,016 consumers said they were more focused on cooking meals at home, and 49 percent said they kept an eye out for new foods to try since the pandemic.

Humphrey-Taylor said: “The pros of living in an ‘almond’ household are that, obviously, when it comes to making meals, they will always be healthy and wholesome.

“We also motivate each other to stay healthy, go for runs, eat well, etc. Being surrounded by that energy 24/7 is positive.”

TikTok Reacts

Humphrey-Taylor’s post has received more than 1,900 comments, with TikTok users expressing envy and praise for the contents of her kitchen.

One viewer wrote, “I wish I grew up like this; it’s so hard to get out of unhealthy habits, especially when there are always unhealthy snacks around,” while another added, “I’d kill to live in a house like this.”

“This isn’t almond this is RICH,” one user commented.

“The only con I can think of is that eating healthily can be quite expensive,” Humphrey-Taylor said. “It also takes a lot of time and effort to make meals from scratch (sourdough especially). It doesn’t suit a lot of people’s lifestyles, which I appreciate.”

Junk food may appeal to more people because of its cost. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Plans and Cost of Food Reports for September, a family of four spends about $984.60 monthly on groceries. This is based on the assumption that all meals and snacks are prepared at home following the Healthy U.S.-Style Dietary Pattern.

While many users have praised the clean-eating family, one person wrote: “Am I the only one who doesn’t like this? i grew up in an almond household and it destroyed my relationship with food. i literally binged on ‘junk food’ every chance I got. every sleepover or party.”

Expert Advice

Having an “almond” parent can lead to serious consequences for some individuals. Dr. Insiyah Amiji, a pediatrics expert and adviser for the parenting website Baby Toddler Kids, spoke with Newsweek about this issue.

“First, while their intentions might be rooted in wanting the best for their kids’ health, energy and well-being. It can sometimes backfire, creating a tricky relationship between children and food,” she said.

”When a child grows up watching their parent constantly scrutinize food choices or attach moral labels to eating (‘good’ versus ‘bad’ foods), it shapes how they think about food and themselves,” she continued. “Kids are sponges; they pick up on these cues and can internalize the idea that self-worth is tied to eating habits. This can set the stage for issues like guilt after meals or even disordered eating patterns as they get older. It’s not just about the foods chosen but the unspoken lessons behind them.”

”Parents might believe they’re promoting a ‘healthy lifestyle,’ but balance is what’s really healthy. Children need to feel that food is fuel, yes, but also that it’s okay to enjoy a cookie or ice cream without feeling like they’ve done something wrong. It’s about fostering an environment where nutritious choices are normalized, not feared,” Amiji said.

She added: ”So, can ‘almond moms’ contribute to a strained relationship with food? Absolutely, but with the awareness and open dialogue, there’s an opportunity for change that steers away from rigidity and towards a more positive, balanced approach to eating.”

If you have a family dilemma, let us know via [email protected]. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.