Shan Cooper went viral for feeding her infant the controversial paleo diet. Grace, now eight years old, grew up eating mainly fresh produce, eggs, meat, and no processed sugar. Her mother is known for her blog ‘My Food Religion,’ where she shares healthy recipes using ingredients that are as close to their natural state as possible and have been through minimal processing. While many adults opt for healthier lifestyles, Grace has grown up eating healthily from the start.

The Baby Who Ate No Refined Sugar

At 13 months old, Grace’s diet consisted of breast milk twice a day in addition to meals like eggs fried in coconut oil, broccoli, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, roast chicken, avocado, sauerkraut, and organic beef. Dessert was a rarity, but Shan made her strawberry panna cotta with coconut cream (without refined sugar) for her first birthday.

According to her mother in 2015, Grace had only fallen ill once at that age, which Shan attributed to her nutrient-dense diet. “She’s around other kids who are often sick but she doesn’t catch anything,” she said. “It’s certainly not because I’m shielding her from exposure. I absolutely believe her immune strength comes from her nutritious diet.”

Shan adopted the paleo diet to improve her own health after battling food allergies. She gradually eliminated gluten, dairy, and processed foods. “I was just fed up with feeling unwell and decided that needed to change,” she explained.

The paleo diet is inspired by the eating patterns of our Stone Age ancestors, focusing on lean meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. It restricts refined sugar, grains, legumes, dairy, and processed foods. Critics argue that it excludes beneficial grains and legumes, which provide fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients, as well as dairy, a good source of calcium and protein. Additionally, it oversimplifies ancient dietary practices, which varied widely depending on geography and available resources.

“I am not Paleo…”

Shan broadly follows the paleo diet but doesn’t adhere to it strictly. As she explains on her blog, “I am not vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, fat-free, carb-free, or any other strict dietary label. I pick what I like from different approaches and adapt it to suit my well-being.”

Preparing food from scratch daily requires time and effort, but Shan isn’t overly strict about Grace’s diet. “(What she eats now) is just normal, everyday food. She loves it. I don’t serve her toast or cereal, but I also don’t think it’s harmful if she has some once in a while. If she eats a piece of bread, I’m not going to freak out.”

Creating a Healthy Relationship with Food

“I don’t want her to develop disordered eating,” said Shan, noting that many people struggle with this. “I want Grace to eat what makes her feel good. That’s how I choose my own diet too. A piece of bread won’t kill me, and I don’t stress about eating out with friends.”

Today, at eight years old, Grace enjoys healthy alternatives to typical childhood junk food. Curious minds often ask if Shan ever lets Grace eat sugar now that she’s older. Approximately four months ago, a follower posed this question on Instagram: “Will Grace tell you if she wants to try something sweet like candy?” Shan responded, “Absolutely. She’s had candy at kids’ parties before.”

Ultimately, a healthy relationship with food is crucial, and sometimes indulging in less healthy options plays a part in that. It’s about finding balance, enjoying nutritious food while understanding the effects of less healthy choices.