A mother who has never allowed her two-year-old daughter to eat processed foods has responded to critics who accused her of being overly restrictive. Alison Robinson, 29, from Louisiana, faced a fierce online backlash last month after sharing details of her daughter Serena's eating habits in a social media video.
The Viral Video and Backlash
The clip, filmed at a Disney on Ice event, showed the young girl snacking on an orange. Robinson explained in the video that Serena had never consumed any food not prepared by her or her husband. She outlined strict rules: "Nothing store bought, nothing processed, no added sugar," adding that you couldn't offer her daughter a lollipop or a cookie.
Robinson further revealed that Serena doesn't order from children's menus at restaurants and that she always packs a lunchbox whenever they leave the house. "We plan ahead, we prepare and we don't get lazy," she stated. While Robinson expressed joy at sticking to these rules, many viewers criticised the approach as unsustainable, especially as Serena begins to interact with other children, and accused the mother of depriving her daughter.
A Mother's Defence and Philosophy
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Robinson insisted she was unfazed by the negative comments. "I don't take any of the criticism personally. For me, it's about being a light for other families who are curious and wondering if it's even possible to take this approach with their kids," she explained. She emphasised a desire to show other mothers it can be done, while lamenting the judgement parents often face.
Robinson, who owns a cold-pressed juice company with her husband, Dr. Akeem Robinson, 40, said her passion for health began long before motherhood, during graduate school. This led her to read labels meticulously and cook from scratch, making sauces and seasonings at home. Despite the guidelines, she insists Serena has "a lot of autonomy" in choosing what and how much she eats from the whole foods offered, enjoying everything from smoothies to homemade, sugar-free brownies sweetened with dates or apples.
Looking to the Future
Robinson believes her daughter does not feel she is missing out, noting that Serena has only recently begun to notice what others are eating out of curiosity, not deprivation. "Since we don't regularly eat candy or ultra-processed snacks ourselves, those foods aren't a normal part of her environment," she said. Robinson listed benefits like steady energy levels and supporting healthy growth as reasons for their choices.
She is realistic about the future, acknowledging that as Serena grows, goes to school, and joins activities, she will be exposed to different foods. "We never intended this to be forever, and we're comfortable with that," Robinson stated, stressing that their current focus is on building a nutritional foundation in her first 1,000 days. While describing the viral response as "wild," she noted receiving positive messages from parents who admired her approach.
In conclusion, Robinson passionately described her daughter as healthy, strong, smart, and full of fun, enjoying a rich life of travel, playdates, and dance parties. "She is not missing out," Robinson affirmed, hoping her platform inspires other families to make intentional choices for their children's health.
