Son & DILs Parenting - concerned?

[Elisoe]

I'm going to start with, I haven't mentioned this to anyone and I won't unless others think I should. I know it's not abusive but it does worry me.
My youngest son has 2 children, girls who are 5 and 3. Their mum isn't British (she is Russian), there is a big age gap but they seem happy. I have grandchildren from my older son too and learnt quite quickly to just say nothing unless it's actually harmful but I have concerns and I'm not sure if they justify being mentioned
The first concern is diet, DIL is very skinny, she doesn't even workout a lot but she is strict with her diet and is very minimal on carbs. Obviously this goes to the children too and they are both skinny children but taller than average. Most days from what I can tell the children also have no carbs. The eldest is now in school but gets a pack lunch and if there are any carbs it's the keto friendly low carb version. DIL is quite addictive about things being low carb but she does give a lot of protein so maybe it's a non issue. I've never known children to be on restricted diets unless necessary though so I do worry about this. They are also very strict on snacks with designated snack times and if it's not snack time and you're hungry well tough!
The second concern is the expectations, the 3 year old currently does swimming lessons 2x a week, ballet 2x a week (though this is mostly just running around with ribbons admittedly!) and a tennis session. Plus a Russian language Saturday morning pre-school and 3 actual mornings at nursery. Whenever I see her she is exhausted! The eldest does similar but seems better able to handle it.
Next is the strictness, the children are hardly allowed to step out of line without being sternly told off, this can be for laughing too loud or having more than one toy out at a time! They are some of the best behaved children I've ever met but I don't know if I support just how strict they are?
Lastly is the girls absolutely aren't allowed to do anything their mum seems to be for boys, football, getting muddy (they wear dresses most days!), play with trucks etc. I bought them some toy cars after going to a playgroup with them and them enjoying the cars but found out a few weeks later from my son that they have them to a friend with boys as they aren't girls toys!

AIBU to think this is all quite extreme? I know
It's both my son and DIL making these choices but at times it feels like a lot. Is any of this worth actually being concerned about or just a different parenting style?

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

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.

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.

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

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

Who is they?

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

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.

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

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.