My MAHA Confession
Is MAHA movement really setting women back for decades? If so, could there be another way to reach the same goals? How to try MAHA the Nordic mom way.
“Can I tell you something?” I leaned closer to an American neighbor of mine, as we watched our kids swim in the pool at a local club, where I had just told my kids to not eat the ironically named “Swedish fish”—dyed with red 40.
“If I wasn’t a Nordic, I would probably be labeled a MAHA mom!” I whispered. “I agree with most of the message.”
I had lowered my voice, because I wasn’t interested in starting any pool-side mom wars with several other moms sitting nearby. I had been warned: New York Times had just reported “How MAHA is Changing New Motherhood” (links at the end of this newsletter) and how “dubious health theories” were starting disagreements on playgrounds. And, I’m sure, in this heat wave, pools.
The NYT piece subtly put down moms that skip ultra processed or non-GMO foods, toxic food dyes, asked for a delayed vaccination schedule, and chose glass over plastic. It stang a bit, because—I’ll reveal a wild secret now—I am for all of those things.
The only difference is that instead of being a MAHA mom and part of a newfound movement, I’m just a Nordic mom. I was for all of those things long before they became part of MAHA and my mom was too—these are simply things typical within the Nordic parenting culture.
Please note:
Nordics moms in the Nordics are not usually asking for “a delayed vaccination schedule,” because in general the schedule is already more delayed and doesn’t include all of the vaccines recommended in the US. Recommendations can also change, so if you want more specifics or details, you can look it up. Also, Finnish schools don’t mandate that you have to follow the schedule or you can’t attend.
Personally, in the US, I follow “a delayed American schedule” taking into account what’s most critical based on where we live and travel to—our pediatrician’s wife is Swedish, so he gets it!
We also skip some vaccines because in our closed loved-ones circle, we have had incidents of vaccines not causing but, as our pediatrician explained, triggering one auto-immune illness and one short-term health scare (but severe enough where our babysitter called 911 and our child was in the hospital). I’m not diving into those deeper as that’s not the point of this newsletter—I work with and trust our pediatrician to help me navigate those decisions, and I also think he really respects my thoughts and concerns.
I should also add that I don’t know what pediatricians say, if you opt out of some or all vaccines in Finland. When we moved to Connecticut, I had a hard time finding a pediatrician that agreed to take the kids on as patients on a delayed schedule. Everyone in our city declined, so we need to drive further for their wellness visits.
So, I can somewhat understand the MAHA movement—the European Union has put in place much stricter regulations than America ever has, and it’s about time that the U.S. follows suit. That’s why I am baffled at some of the push back for these wellness goals. SELF magazine suggested that MAHA movement’s agenda against ultra-processed foods sends women back to the kitchen and sets them back for decades.
Sure, it might. Especially if we use moms to master sourdough instead of sending dad to the bakery. But, when Finland has focused on healthy foods, it hasn’t lead to that—instead, it led to having chefs in all the schools and free, warm and healthy lunches for everyone, refreshed nutritional guidelines (food pyramid), and clear labels for organic, local and plant-based foods as well as allergens in grocery stores.
Moms don’t need to be responsible for everything: the society as a whole should take wellness and health on—and that’s an idea that both the MAHA movement and everyone on the opposing side are missing.
When it comes to me, I don’t eat or feed my kids unhealthy, ultra-processed or artificially dyed foods (I’ll be honest, I tell them to run if they see a Gatorade!), but I certainly don’t spend much time in the kitchen. I’m just not that into cooking and I’m not particularly good at it, except I do occasionally love making a vegan rhubarb pie and Finnish archipelago bread (that, from a mix). Nordic style, I keep “eating opportunities” super simple, and then there’s porridge at dinnertime. If my family wants more out of me, they can go to a restaurant.
Where American moms start wellness wars with each other, Nordics came up with solutions that don’t overburden moms. Why are we not doing the same?
Nordic way to do MAHA:
Skip ultra-processed foods without getting stuck in the kitchen: for ease, keep meals simple and look for healthy ready-made options from grocery stores, organic stores and farmer’s markets. (You can also outsource if it’s possible: after a long break, we now have a new au pair— a bro-pair!—and his main job, besides helping me drive the kids, is making healthy, simple meals for them including warm school or camp lunches).
Divide responsibilities to maintain healthy eating: teach kids how to prep some of their own meals (my go to: “make yourselves and your little brother avo toast please!”) and have dad take on dinners too (my husband tends to order in plant-based sushi rolls for the boys and I on some of those nights, but hey, that’s also fine!).
In the U.S., you can combine both science and personal health history and what’s happening around you to make decisions about vaccines; find a pediatrician who will help you make good decisions. As for one example, combo vaccines triggered reactions in our kids, so we only do one at a time followed by a detox protocol—that’s also possible. There’s so many ways to go about this, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Lobby for bigger societal changes: not just for throwing more stuff on moms’ shoulders. For example, no Finnish moms hustle to make healthy lunches for their kids—schools took on that responsibility. Finland also offers universal childcare and most Finnish daycares, which really are high-end outdoorsy preschools for ages 1-6, also offer healthy breakfast for the kids.
As for the “Be Pretty, Marry for Money, and (only) Stay at Home” part of the MAHA movement? I have a Scandi take on that too. Let’s talk about that next time!
Meet MAHA middle way? Would you try these Nordic-inspired ways to make the U.S. and other countries healthier—or no?
I can’t wait to chat about this with you, drop a comment below!
If you enjoyed these Nordic insights, don’t forget to tap the heart-shaped like button at the end! It’s like saying “Hi, I read it, thanks!”
Links to the articles I mentioned:
NYT: How MAHA Is Changing New Motherhood
How to MAHA Food Agenda Threatens to Set Women Back for Decades
PS. This summer, I’ll be sending you several hacks from Finnish moms to simplify your life—moms from the happiest country in the world now for 8 years in a row. If you have friends who would love a new perspective to motherhood, now is a great time to share this newsletter!
x Annabella Daily
As a bleeding heart, leftist, libtard or whatever hateful name MAHA is calling me today, I was RAISED this way as well and my household is still non-GMO, etc.. Hell, I didn't know what soda was until 2nd grade. I am an American who was born in 1978 in Philadelphia. My mom made my baby food and we only shopped for produce and meats at farmer's markets growing up. We were probably around the poverty line and my mom was still able to make that happen.
Fast forward to our current economy. Healthy markets like Whole Foods cater to the wealthy. (I get it- businesses want to make money and generally focus on the demographic with the most spending power) No one has a problem with outlawing dyes, non-gmo food etc. but one of the (many) issues with MAHA is that there is no concept of how much these foods cost and how little money people actually have. Yes, people who work full-time, two jobs, etc. This is why the audacity of MAHA moms is spectacular. You cannot vote for this administration and also want all children to eat healthy, filling, square meals. It is impossible. MAHA wants to make sure that THEIR children eat healthy but there is seemingly no care about other American children having access to healthy foods. Poor neighborhoods are food deserts.
You are talking about ready to eat pouches, in the same paragraph that you said the school wouldn't allow you to purchase microwaves for the students. You are obviously not speaking from a place of need. Thankfully, I am not either - as I live on a very tiny island where food is very, very expensive. For reference, yesterday, a bag of organic whole wheat flour was $18.95, the same bag is $8.95 on Amazon. 37% of children under 5 on this island are below the poverty level. The poverty level is $32,150 for a family of four. How do you think those children are going to access healthy foods when cutting section 8 and snap benefits?? The average rent for a two bedroom apartment here is $2500. I just want one "MAHA mom" to tell me how a mother who lives here can make that work or simply tell me that they don't care about other people's babies.
P.S. The Finnish way is beautiful. I have close Danish and Swedish friends who share their lovely ways with my family often.
I'm older, my kids (except for one) are adults, but I am totally behind the most of the MAHA movement. I wish I had been more knowledgeable about what was in our food and body products when they were younger.
I don't understand the rage behind what MAHA is attempting to do. So many of our US products contain ingredients banned in other countries and ingredients that we know cause issues. I guess addiction runs deep and people are not willing to give up the cheap and easy for things that are healthy and a bit more money.