Son & DILs Parenting - concerned?

And why do tou think they've banned her from teaching in Australia?

Because she is dangerous in that her advice could kill people. Also representing herself as something she is not.

And why do tou think they've banned her from teaching in Australia? Because if everyone used alternative medicine and natural products, the pharmaceutical companies wouldn't make any money because no one would need the poison they sell us as medication. I've used a few of Barbara's recommendations and they have worked great. She doesn't gain anything from telling people these things, unlike the pharmaceutical companies. Its all about money. If tou don't realise this after the last 5 years, there's no hope. Each to their own. But what I've used so far have worked far better than anything the doctor has prescribed me, with 0 side effects

This Barbara O Neil?

Barbara O'Neill is an Australian alternative health care promoter who is known for:

Promoting dangerous health advice
In 2019, the New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) banned O'Neill from practicing medicine for life after finding that she gave dangerous health advice to vulnerable patients. Her advice included:

Recommending bicarbonate of soda as a cancer treatment instead of chemotherapy

Recommending unpasteurized goat's milk for infants

Recommending alternative therapies instead of conventional treatments for cancer

Lacking qualifications
The HCCC found that O'Neill did not have any qualifications in a health-related field and did not finish nursing training.

Who is they?

this line of thinking makes no sense in the UK, with a state subsidised healthcare system

Not true. That what they want you to believe so you'll keep eating sugar and carbs. Barbara oneill explains it much better than I can

https://youtube.com/shorts/YxZ9L-OkTsM?si=Sj5tWp5uxOK7EucV

That is normal… blood sugar rises do not make you closer to diabetes. All carbs get turned into glucose by the body

Limiting carbs has a very beneficial impact on our health, regardless of age - see latest science, not GP advice. Most carbs, especially from wheat transform into glucose and are damaging to our health. As long as they have a balanced diet otherwise they are fine. I am trying to raise my kids in this way but do allow them carb treats and ensure they eat a balanced diet and they are perfect weight and height according to health recommendations, although much thinner than most kids around them. They are also very active, similar to your granddaughters and much prefer this to being stuck on screens like many other children. British kids are generally overweight and more prone to sickness. For context, my son is now 14 and never needed antibiotic and only missed primary school when had chicken pox and again with a tummy nug. My daughter is 12 and only had one small dose of antibiotic when she was 2. She does have an allergy to some animals and dust. I am convinced this is due to their active lifestyle and diet. I spent hours cooking healthy meals for them since weaning them and I can see the benefits. The only difference between what I do and your DL is that I was never very strict but organised their life so that they didn't feel like they were missing out and also our friends followed similar diets - I also allowed them the occasional fast food meal. As they grow they are starting to see the benefits and now prefer home lunches to school dinners. Being stern is a cultural thing and you cannot interfere with that. As long as they are happy and healthy let them be and join in, show genuine interest in their lifestyle, learn about their lifestyle and benefits. Who knows, you might find out a low carb diet might benefit you too.

This sounds like a cultural difference to me. It all sounds healthy and non abusive, but your DIL does not sound relaxed so I wouldn’t say anything. It won’t work in anyones favour, she will most likely get defensive.
Each family operates differently and that’s ok as long as everyone is healthy and has love.

Agree with you about the milk. Baffles me that people think human kids need cow lactation.

Exactly. My kids eat steak and eggs twice a week for tea. They do have carbs, as it's quite hard when you've been use to carbs and sugar all your life, but the last year their diets have significantly changed and they eat a lot of eggs, meat, veg and fruit. People do not realise that actually when we eat carbs, our blood sugar rises aswell, diabetic or not. The more it rises, the closer to diabetes we are

Protein not promise

The diet is the least concerning part. For most of the 200,000 years of human history there was no pasta or bread or rice - no farming of grains at all - and most cultures didn't have potato either. They're empty calories that metabolize straight into sugar. Then farming came along about 12,000 years ago and most people who weren't wealthy started living mostly on the cheap carbs and got LESS well-nourished. The few hunter-gatherer people who are still around have well-nourished kids with good teeth and no obesity. Nobody of any age actually NEEDS simple (usually processed) carbs. (Same goes for milk, which so many Western people think kids "need"). It's the sexist stuff that's concerning.

So that sounds sensible and not as harsh as you originally made out.

Their diet sounds great and similar to my children's. Carbs and sugar are ruining peoples bodies. Lots of fruit, veg and promises perfect for humans

I’m a bit concerned about several comments about a low carb diet for young children being ok. This is absolutely not the case animal fats and glucose for brain development are extremely important. Our diet culture and constant ‘healthy’ eating advice is creating a culture that is harmful to children. If any child is not getting enough calories with a healthy balance of carbs, fats and protein you are setting them up for poor mental health and the possibility of an eating disorder. To the OP you are in a difficult position as your DIL could possibly have an eating disorder herself, hyperfixation on food/quantities and rigid thinking can be symptoms, but could also be related to her own upbringing. As the MIL your opinion may be disregarded. However I would try to give some information to your son to ensure the children are following their growth curve (red book info from birth) and if they are dropping off it they are not getting enough nutrition.

They're having naturally healthy food - butt out!

Fruit is high in carbs, so the lack of pasta & bread is really not an issue.

The rigid control of their behaviour is the big concern for me, kids should be kids, allowed to play (with any toys, not just gender stereotype toys) and laugh etc.

Carbs turn into sugar as soon as they're eaten - that's pretty much the definition of what a carbohydrate is.

OP, do not say anything!! they will just be annoyed that you are criticising their parenting and distance themselves from you.

They sound like parents who have thought through their parenting style and are committed to it, rather than people who are neglectful or abusive, so they definitely won't appreciate you challenging them on that. You just have different views. One isn't necessarily better than the other. The kids might rebel or they might thrive. Either way, the best thing you can do is keep a good, open relationship with them all. That way if it gets too much for the kids as they get older, they can turn to you for help, rather than you being alienated or them not liking you because you criticised their mum.

Parents are honestly judged no matter what. My in-laws think DH and I are far too lax with our children, while our friends think we are far too strict. As long as kids are loved and looked after, there's no benefit to anyone else trying to stick their oar in. You sound like a lovely grandmother but just be there, be supportive of them all and be a safe space as the kids get older. You've had your chance at parenting, now it's their turn.

Marriage and career opportunities aren't an "either/or" thing. Most would want both.
Russian and other Eastern European people tend to put more importance on appearance and performative femininity. They see Westerners as sloppy and scruffy. So my guess that's the case with the firend or OP's DIL

Overall I think their home environment is good, not punitive.
Firstly it's really not your place to criticise unless you want to alienate them( further, if you're the same poster)
They are fed a nutritious diet. They may not have potatoes, but fruits and vegetables contain carbohydrates which are metabolised into sugar.
They would not have energy to do the classes if not
The gender stereotypying of toys isn't a problem Children evolve with age
Be interested in them all,not intrusive and opinionated.

Haven't rtft so don't know if anyone else has already pointed this out...

Sugar is a carbohydrate.

Your conclusion I totally agree with, on the same page which is lovely!

but the carb insulin hypothesis has been disproved. It shows high carb/ low carb diets don’t make any difference when the calories are the same. That’s what the meta analyses show.

that’s unlike a diet high in saturated fat where excess amounts regardless of adiposity and total calories raises the risk of heart disease substantially.

but the last 2 points are pure pedantry only part and I apologise, I can’t help myself. We’re on the same page though re the purpose of this thread

I see absolutely nothing wrong with their diet; it doesn't sound restricted to me. They are eating lots of fruit and vegetables and a varied diet. So many children here are brought up on beige food, without being exposed to much else, and then become overweight fussy adults. Scrambled egg for breakfast is a great start to the day because it fills you up and keeps you going all morning. Steamed vegetables are also great because they retain their nutrients.
Snacking isn't part of many cultures - France very much frowns on snacking and the norm is that other than a small after school snack, food is only consumed at mealtimes and at the table. There is a French family who living near me for a year and I wonder what they are making of the school lunches offered in this country.

But not in the same way as it’s made on an industrial scale now.