Allison Holker Opens Up About Her Journey as an ‘Almond Mom’ to Daughter Weslie
Allison Holker’s eldest daughter, Weslie, is opening up about the “strict” eating habits her mother enforced during her upbringing.
“Throughout my childhood — I tell her this often now — she was quite the almond mom,” Weslie, 17, shared on the Sunday, June 22 episode of their “Between Us” podcast. “She insisted, ‘You must eat greens [and have] chicken every night.’”
Although Holker, 37, wasn’t familiar with the term “almond mom,” she acknowledges that her behavior aligned with that description when it came to food.
“I certainly was one with Weslie. I was very strict,” Holker reflected. “I was constantly cooking, and her school lunches contained only organic foods. No processed snacks were allowed—just various types of nuts and a lot of dried fruit.”
For those unfamiliar, an “almond mom” refers to a parent who imposes unhealthy eating habits and body image pressures onto their children. Holker largely raised Weslie as a single mother. (The Dancing With the Stars alum also has son Maddox, 9, and daughter Zaia, 5, with her late husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who passed away in 2022.)
“I love chips [and] she wouldn’t let me eat them,” Weslie recalled on Sunday’s episode. “Now, she’s much more relaxed about it!”
Holker has adjusted her approach to parenting regarding food and nutrition since welcoming Maddox and Zaia.
“With Weslie, I was determined to be the best mom possible. Back then, I thought that meant ensuring everything was healthy,” Holker explained. “I researched everything in our kitchen and was very diligent. While it helped me in many ways, I realize now I may have been a bit extreme.”
Holker elaborated, “I’m not sure it was for the right reasons, but I genuinely wanted a healthy lifestyle. I believed that being the best mom meant doing this. It was a beneficial choice for me, as it educated me further, but I realize that balance is key.”
To create a more balanced diet for her children, Holker now allows them to enjoy fast food and snacks in moderation.
“We have a lot of healthy options at home, but I also want them to enjoy being kids,” Holker said. “I’ve found more joy in this approach as well. With Weslie, I was quite strict, but with Maddox and Zaia, I aim for a healthier balance.”
If you or someone you know struggles with an eating disorder, visit the National Alliance for Eating Disorders website or call their hotline at +1 (866) 662-1235. Text “ALLIANCE” to 741741 for free, 24/7 support.
