Australian model and TV personality Rachael Finch has hit back at online followers who have accused her of “underfeeding” her children.
The 35-year-old healthy eating advocate often posts videos of the meals she prepares for her family, which includes eight-year-old daughter Violet and five-year-old son Dominic.
While most of her 318,000 Instagram followers love the healthy eating example she sets for her kids, some have dubbed her an “almond” mum — a name given to parents who “push” their own strict nutritional standards onto their children.
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Some even accused Finch of “endangering” her kids’ health by “underfeeding” them.
The comments came after Finch showed her followers how to make a “naked burger” using lettuce cups instead of bread rolls.
The criticism prompted Finch, who is married to dancer Michael Miziner, to respond.
“Someone officially labeled me an ‘almond mum’ this week,” she wrote.
“Definition according to Google: ‘A parent who follows incredibly strict or dangerously unhealthy eating habits and attempts to force them on their children’.
“This was because I made naked burgers for dinner (meat patty and veggies wrapped in a lettuce cup).
“While it’s downright nasty, it’s also absurdly hilarious.
“I’ve become a pro at emotionally responding to these comments now.
“I’ve had a giggle with a lot of you of.
“Comment what type of food mum you would be?”
Several of Finch’s followers said they thought “almond mum” was an unfair description of what she fed her children.
“I wish my kids happily ate what yours do!” one follower commented.
“Such an inspiration to a healthy lifestyle and teaching your children wonderful habits.”
“Oh lovely I am glad you are finding amusement in this as is it absolutely ridiculous that you are made out to be anything other than a beautiful mum,” wrote another.
“You are such an inspiration and your kids are very lucky.”
“Well I must have been an almond mother for 25 years. I didn’t realise that feeding children healthy food was dangerous,” added a third.
On TikTok, Finch addressed the criticism, saying it was odd that trolls “wouldn’t blink an eye” at her feeding her kids fatty fast food, but seemed to have a problem with her “naked burgers”.
“Gee wiz. It’s funny you know — they wouldn’t blink an eye if I ordered cheeseburgers and fries from a fast-food chain and put that on the table,” she wrote.
“But home-made naked burgers full of vegetables will create psychological damage? Go figure.”
It’s not the first time Finch has had to fend off accusations that the way she fed her children was “unhealthy”.
In March last year, she was hit with similar criticisms after she revealed her children barely ever ate anything sugary or processed.
One follower posted a comment saying her focus on her children’s diet could potentially result in them developing eating disorders.
“Hi Rachael, I’m (sic) been following you for years, have bought most of your Kissed Earth products, however I need to say, what you’re feeding your kids is a form of child abuse,” the follower wrote.
“They’re underfed, and extremely underweight.
“Please feed them more. You are denying them a childhood.
“I have no doubt (daughter) Violet will grow up with some form of eating disorder with what you feed her.”
That prompted a furious response from Finch.
“Child abuse. Eating disorder. Underfed,” her post began.
“How would you respond? Would you respond?
“I feel lucky because I have the emotional support at home to help me deal with these types of comments.
“But for those who don’t this could be dangerous.
“Despite the fact that this person has no clue about our child’s well-being besides a few food posts I make from time to time, it plays on your thoughts and feelings.
“This post is purely a reminder to think twice before you speak or type.
“You don’t have to agree with everyone, but you should keep your potentially damaging comments to yourself.
“Spread kindness instead please.”
Again, fans were flummoxed by the follower’s comments, wondering if they thought it was healthier to feed kids fast food every day.
“LOL— feed them Maccas Rach!” wrote singer-songwriter Ella Hooper.
“I mean really!
“Keep up your healthy happy vibes darling.”
“Abuse feeding them organic unprocessed nutrient rich meals? Wow, OK,” fitness influencer Ashy Bines wrote.
“You’re doing amazing and your kids are so healthy.”
Wrote a third: “This is projection onto you Rachael. People speak from their own pain. Keep spreading love, as hurtful as these comments are.”
If you or anyone you know has an eating disorder, or if you would like information, referrals or counselling for eating disorders, disordered eating or body image concerns, contact The Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 3673 or butterfly.org.au