Is this the most dangerous parenting type yet? Meet the ultra-strict Crunchy Mums, who are denying their children processed foods, vaccinations and even sunscreen

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  • The latest in an ongoing list of controversial parent types is the ‘crunchy mum’
  • READ MORE: TikTok’s ‘almond daughter’ trend leaves viewers divided as Gen Z women boast of their tiny meals and hardcore workouts – as some fear it’s fuelling eating disorders

Just when you’ve got your head around the latest parenting type, another one comes along…introducing the ‘Crunchy Mum’, an offshoot of the health-focused – and highly criticised – ‘Almond Mum’.

Crunchy Mum is the term being used on social media to describe a mother who is ultra-strict when it comes to providing their child with a holistic lifestyle; she’s likely wary of modern medicine – including vaccinations, avoids ultra-processed foods and won’t use products laden with artificial ingredients.

The Almond Mum type was coined to describe parents who are fitness fanatics with a eating ‘clean’ diet, and the Crunchy Mum is a variation of it, tending to focus more on seeking out natural remedies and foods – although there are clearly many overlaps between ‘clean’ eating and avoiding ultra-processed foods.

Mothers who subscribe to the ultra-strict parenting style often eschew conventional cleaning products, sun creams that contain chemicals and sometimes even footwear.

One mother told The Sun recently that she’s a ‘barefoot Crunchy Mum,’ who refuses to wear what she refers to as ‘feet prisons’, saying shoes are like wearing a blindfold or noise-cancelling headphones. 

The mother-of-one, Alice, says she had made the choice to ditch footwear because she had been experiencing severe foot pain and claims she’s never felt ‘more awake and alive’ since going barefoot.

She told the newspaper: ‘While I have yet to step in anything sharp, I know that one day I inevitably will step in glass and it will hurt, yes, but not as bad as the severe foot pain wearing feet prisons has caused me’. 

The Crunchy Mum has strong views on vaccinations, ultra processed food and chemicals in household products. Pictured: Mother of one, Jen Mantle, who describes herself as 'Semi-Crunchy', says she will do everything in her power to avoid applying sun protection to her daughter because of the chemicals in it

The Crunchy Mum has strong views on vaccinations, ultra processed food and chemicals in household products. Pictured: Mother of one, Jen Mantle, who describes herself as ‘Semi-Crunchy’, says she will do everything in her power to avoid applying sun protection to her daughter because of the chemicals in it

The latest in an ongoing list of controversial parent types is the 'Crunchy Mum' - a derivative of the highly criticised health-obsessed 'Almond Mum'

The latest in an ongoing list of controversial parent types is the ‘Crunchy Mum’ – a derivative of the highly criticised health-obsessed ‘Almond Mum’

More variations, describing varying levels of rigidity, include the ‘Scrunchy’ and ‘Silky’ mum. 

‘Silky Mums’ apparently opt for every convenience available to them, feeding their children any food and fun they wish, with health very much at the bottom of their priority list. 

The middle-mother between the two extremities is the ‘Scrunchy’, who will aim to find a medium between the two polar attitudes. 

In another video, one mother, who describes herself as ‘Crunchy-ish’, revealed the things she refuses to buy for her children.

‘Conventional’ sun creams is top of her list. She says: ‘Don’t get me wrong, if we are out our in the midday sun unprepared and we haven’t got long sleeves and hats and for some reason we can’t hide in the shade, I will absolutely put conventional sun cream on my daughter over nothing.’

However, the mother of one, Jen Mantle, who describes herself as ‘Semi-Crunchy’, says she will do everything in her power to avoid applying sun protection to her daughter.

In one video, a mother explained that she is extremely mindful about what her children eat. She said: 'I need my daughter wholefoods and organic foods where possible, to support her health and wellbeing'

In one video, a mother explained that she is extremely mindful about what her children eat. She said: ‘I need my daughter wholefoods and organic foods where possible, to support her health and wellbeing’

‘Ingredients in regular sun creams are just horrible and I don’t feel comfortable putting that on my daughter’s skin so we opt for zinc-made sun creams instead.’

Jen also explains in the clip that she avoids any paraffin candles, opting only for natural wax such as soy or coconut oil. 

‘I just don’t want my family breathing in the fumes that come of paraffin wax candles,’ she says.

She is also ‘mindful’ about scented products used in her home, avoiding most types of fragrances including air fresheners to avoid ‘disrupting hormones’. 

Another Crunchy Mum detailed her list of non-negotiables, including 'not putting a bunch of injectables' - ie childhood vaccinations - in her children

Another Crunchy Mum detailed her list of non-negotiables, including ‘not putting a bunch of injectables’ – ie childhood vaccinations – in her children

She also refuses to buy regular cleaning products or plastic plates.

However, not all of the Crunchy Mum criteria comes down to household essentials.

A number of parents are even more rigid in how they parent their children with some refusing to offer pain relief to ill children or avoiding doctors all together, if they can. 

In another video, one mother details her all-natural remedies for her teething baby, one of which includes an amber crystal necklace which she ‘swears by’.

The same mum also uses only natural deodorant, skin cream and and antiseptic.

Another ‘Crunchy Mum’ details her list of non-negotiables as high-fructose corn syrup, flavourings and dyes as well as ‘not putting a bunch of injectables’ in her children. 

She says she avoids injecting her children with anything, including vaccinations, calling them ‘liquid poison’.

Many Crunchy Mums will avoid giving their children unnatural foods that are processed in anyway, believing them to be harmful.

In one video, a mum explains that she is extremely mindful about what her children eat. She says: ‘I feed my daughter wholefoods and organic foods where possible, to support her health and wellbeing.’ 

One mother answered a question on TikTok as to whether she has ultrasounds on her baby to which she revealed she does, though some Crunchy Mums say they won't have the pre-natal health check

One mother answered a question on TikTok as to whether she has ultrasounds on her baby to which she revealed she does, though some Crunchy Mums say they won’t have the pre-natal health check

‘In my opinion, everything I do for my daughter is based around risk vs benefits,’ she says before going on to explain she rarely gives her daughter sweets, chocolate, or even Calpol for pain relief. 

She says the risk of giving her child these things outweighs any benefit. 

The extent of Crunchy Mum ruling is vast. Many expectant mothers will avoid medical intervention during birth and won’t accept any kind of pain relief. 

Most will avoid any kind of unnatural hair or skin products, avoiding anything with chemicals, even sun cream. 

Some parents will homeschool instead of allowing their children to join in on conventional education.

Crunching parents also focus on a child-first style of parenting, promoting co-sleeping and a contact first approach to attachment building. 




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