If there’s one thing most celebrities do well, it’s taking care of their bodies. With their phalanx of personal trainers and chefs, and nutritionists, they tend to not only be in on the latest food trends but the driving force behind them. Here’s what they reach for when they need a boost—or a healthy alternative to stress eating.
1. Madonna: Coconut water
Coconut water not only makes hydration fun, it is a good source of fiber, vitamin C and several important minerals. According to the New York Post, Pop singer Madonna has become so nuts for coconut water that she invested about $1.5 million in one of the leading makers of the drink, Vita Coco. The Post article says, “Madonna is so enthusiastic about coconut water — the clear juice from young, green coconuts, not the brown coconuts that have a milky liquid center — that she drank fresh coconut juice daily on the overseas leg of the Sticky & Sweet tour.”
2. Jillian Michaels: Popchips
Even fitness expert, author, television personality, and life coach Jillian Michaels likes to crunch on something salty once in a while. In an interview for Shape magazine, Michaels says, “For example, I adore Popchips. They're 100 calories a bag—no preservatives, no trans fats, and no artificial sweeteners. Is it a superfood? No. But will it kill me? No!" Popped not fried, popchips are healthier and lighter (half the fat) than your average potato chip.
3. Alicia Silverstone: Umeboshi plums
Actress, vegan chef, environmentalist and animal rights activist Alicia Silverstone is the creator of the Kind Diet, a vegan eating plan and how-to guide. Silverstone calls umeboshi plums a superhero food and advises eating them in medicinal doses a few times a week, especially when you are under the weather. In her blog thekindlife.com she says, “You can add it to tea, as in my Hangover Tea, or sprinkle a diced up piece of plum on hot cereal, or you can just eat it by itself. You can also suck on the pit when you’re not feeling well and forgive the salty-sour taste. Just remember that it’s healing you!”
4. Jennifer Hudson: Smoked almonds
Packed with lots of healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium and vitamin E, almonds are a versatile, tasty addition to everyone’s diet. Singer, actress and former Weight Watchers spokesperson, Jennifer Hudson notes in a Good Housekeeping interview that almonds are her go-to snack. “When I am in the mood for something salty and crunchy, I eat smoked almonds.”
5. Jessica Alba: Popcorn
High in fiber and low in calories (depending on how it’s prepared), popcorn is what actress and The Honest Company founder Jessica Alba reaches for when she loses steam. In a Washington Post article, Alba says, "I'm addicted to popcorn. I eat it throughout the day. I'm a scatterbrain with lots of things to do at once, and eating popcorn helps me concentrate. It's my way of dealing with my mind wandering off."
6. Jennifer Aniston: Protein shake
Box-office star Jennifer Anniston knows how to hit the ground running by making sure she gets enough protein. The star says in a People magazine interview that her breakfast is usually a protein shake. “I’ll put in bananas, cherries, blackberries, a greens powder, a collagen peptide, a little cacao powder, chocolate stevia drop and chocolate almond milk,” she says. “You can see I like chocolate-flavored. I don’t like protein taste.”
7. Dr. Oz: Dark chocolate
Television personality, professor, and surgeon Dr. Oz says in a Health magazine interview that dark chocolate counts as a health food—if it contains 70 percent cocoa. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids (natural chemicals with antioxidant properties) that improve blood vessel function. His advice? “Enjoy an ounce or two a day. Pass on milk chocolate, though—“It’s actually not chocolate, just milk fat with a chocolate coating,” he says.
8. Heidi Klum: EBoost Super Powder packets
A vitamin/electrolyte blend can help keep you hydrated, especially when on-the-go or after a workout. Television producer, actress and model Heidi Klum told US magazine she uses these energy drink mixes to help stay focused and energized on-the-go. Each packet contains doses of potassium, zinc, B-vitamins and caffeine sourced from green tea and green coffee seed.
9. Kourtney Kardashian: Rhythm Kale Chips
According to an article in US magazine, “reality star Kourtney Kardashian was recently seen munching on Rhythm Kale Chips on her series Kim and Kourtney Take New York.” Kale is a nutritional powerhouse, full of essential vitamins A, C, calcium and iron. These organic, air-crisped chips come in seven flavors and provide a generous amount of both fiber and protein.