I will NEVER let my toddler eat processed foods… despite critics’ claims that I’m depriving her

A mom who has never given her two-year-old any processed foods has clapped back at critics who say she is depriving the toddler. 

Last month, Alison Robinson, 29, from Louisiana, sparked fierce backlash online after she shared a video to social media detailing daughter Serena’s eating habits.

In the clip, which was taken at Disney on Ice and showed the youngster snacking on an orange, Robinson explained that Serena had never eaten something that she or her husband hadn’t prepared for her.

‘Nothing store bought, nothing processed, no added sugar,’ she wrote. ‘You can’t give her a lollipop or a cookie.’

She also revealed that Serena ‘doesn’t order off the kids’ menu’ at restaurants and that she always ‘packs a lunchbox’ for the toddler ‘every time they leave the house.’

She added: ‘We plan ahead, we prepare and we don’t get lazy.’ 

Robinson accompanied the video with a lengthy caption in which she detailed the rules she has in place for her daughter’s meals and the immense joy she feels that they have successfully stuck to them. 

However, it was met with criticism from viewers, who argued that it’s not sustainable long-term – especially when she starts interacting with other kid – and accused her of depriving her daughter of treats like pizza and cookies.

Now, Robinson has responded to the negative comments exclusively to the Daily Mail, insisting that she’s completely unfazed by the fury that her video sparked.

‘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. ‘I want to show moms they can do it. 

‘We’re all tired and just trying to do our best as parents. I think it’s really sad when people try to bring others down – parenting is hard enough without judgment. 

‘We should be lifting each other up and respecting different choices, whether it’s what sports our kids play or how we feed them.’

Robinson – who owns a cold-pressed juice company with her husband, Dr. Akeem Robinson, 40 – explained that she became passionate about health and wellness ‘well before becoming a mom.’

It began during graduate school when she lost over 30 pounds through strength training and ‘learning how to fuel her body with intention.’ 

‘[That] led me to start reading labels and cooking more from scratch. I’ve always loved being in the kitchen, so making our own sauces, dressings, and seasonings became second nature, so much so that we haven’t bought store-bought ketchup in years,’ she shared. 

Despite the restrictions, Robinson insisted that Serena has ‘a lot of autonomy to choose what and how she eats.’

‘Some days it’s smoothies and chicken wings, other days it’s berries all day, just like any toddler,’ she dished. 

‘I’m constantly finding creative recipes, from bagels and pancakes to brownies, made without added sugars that we all like to enjoy. We use whole-food sweeteners like dates or apples when needed.’

She also insisted that her daughter ‘doesn’t feel like she’s missing out’ as she only recently started noticing what others are eating.

‘As her vocabulary and awareness grow, she’s naturally becoming more curious, like noticing our food when we’re out to eat, but it comes from interest, not deprivation,’ she vowed.

‘Since we don’t regularly eat candy or ultra-processed snacks ourselves, those foods aren’t a normal part of her environment. 

‘She knows what things like cupcakes, ice cream and pizza are, but she’s never had them, so there’s no emotional attachment or sense of loss. 

‘Her palate is incredibly adventurous, and we love introducing her to new foods, just like any toddler who has favorites and foods she needs to try more than once.’ 

Robinson said there are a slew of benefits to not allowing processed foods or added sugars in the youngster’s diet, like ‘helping her keep energy steady, supporting healthy growth and reducing unnecessary chemicals and additives that can affect developing systems.’

She also admitted that she knows Serena may become interested in processed foods as she gets older and starts going to school, and is realistic about the fact that her eating habits will likely change.

‘We never intended this to be forever, and we’re comfortable with that. As she grows, goes to school, and gets involved in activities, she’ll naturally be exposed to and try new foods, and that’s completely okay,’ she said, pointing out that ‘the first 1,000 days [of a child’s life] really set the foundation for learning, memory and emotional regulation.’

‘We believe strongly in balance and moderation, not restriction. Right now, our focus is supporting her brain development and limiting early exposure to dyes, additives and highly processed foods,’ said the mom-of-one.

Robinson described the response to her video as ‘wild,’ admitting that she ‘never expected’ it to get so much attention.

But she noted that while some of the response has been negative, there has also been a slew of positive messages too.

‘Just like anything different, there are people who don’t fully understand it,’ she said.  

‘But on the flip side, we’ve also had people tell us they wish they had done something similar with their kids and that they think it’s great we’re giving Serena this foundation.’

In the end, she described seeing other parents learn from her as ‘really rewarding,’ and said she hopes she will be able to use her platform to inspire others to ‘make intentional choices for their children’s health.’ 

‘My daughter is healthy. She is strong. She is so smart. She is so much fun,’ she gushed. 

‘She goes to the library and plays with her friends. She worships at church and absolutely loves music. 

‘We have dance parties and workout together in the garage all the time. She has traveled all over the US and even gets to go to Hawaii for her Auntie’s wedding next year. She is not missing out.’