The Internet Is Ripping Vanessa Hudgens a New One for Promoting These Keto Fat Bombs (2024)

• Vanessa Hudgens has started promoting SlimFast's Keto Peanut Butter Fat Bombs on her Instagram.
• Fans are disappointed that Hudgens is promoting an arguably unhealthy weight-loss product and diet.
• We asked a dietitian to analyze the nutritional information and ingredients in these fat bombs.
  

Like other celebrities, including Halle Berry and Kourtney Kardashian, Vanessa Hudgens swears by the keto diet for weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. But now, the 30-year-old actress is getting flack for promoting these SlimFast Keto Peanut Butter Cup Fat Bombs on her Instagram.

In case you're not familiar, fat bombs are a popular keto snack that are—you guessed it—high in fat, usually in the form of coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and a nut butter—and made with dried fruit, nuts, coconut, and unsweetened chocolate. While fat bombs might sound like an ideal snack, they're often not as satisfying because they may lack fiber—something many keto dieters are missing in their meals. Fiber is essential in stabilizing blood sugar and curbing cravings.

Hudgens posted on Instagram, "#ad Finally the perfect Keto snack!! @SlimFast #SlimFastKeto Peanut Butter Cup Fat Bombs are creamy peanut butter and chocolatey goodness... without all the sugar and carbs. And I loooovvvve that I can take it with me on-the-go!"

Some of Hudgen's followers have responded to her post, asking her to stop promoting the keto diet as a healthy way to lose weight. One fan wrote, "Slightly disappointed in you queen.. this ain't it." Another fan chimed in, "Another one bites the dust - please don't promote diet culture! Women don't have to lose weight to have worth, no matter how much a corporation pays you to act otherwise." Hudgens hasn't responded to these comments.

We asked a Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, LDN, CPT, author of the 2-Day Diabetes Diet, to look into these keto fat bombs to see if they're really worth the hype—and how they compare to other peanut butter cups.

"For those following the keto diet, these fat bombs fit into a keto meal plan, however, they are still a processed food rich in saturated fat and added sweeteners," Palinski-Wade says.

These fat bombs have 7 grams of saturated fat and only 1 gram of protein. Although these fat bombs are made with coconut oil MCTs, which are packed with plant-based saturated fats, having too much of a good thing can still be bad.

"For those not on a strict keto plan, the high content of saturated fat could have a potentially negative impact on health, and I would not recommend these fat bombs as a healthy treat or snack," Palinski-Wade explains.

While the fat might keep you satiated, the low protein content doesn't make it a good choice for curbing hunger and cravings in the long run.

They also contain sweeteners erythritol and Stevia leaf extract, which can have a negative gastrointestinal effect on some people. You also only get to eat one peanut butter cup, and who wants that?

Nutritional info per peanut butter cup: 90 calories, 9 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 15 mg sodium, 6 g carbs (3 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 2 g erythritol), 1 g protein

Now, let's compare it to a standard Reese's peanut butter cup. Reese's peanut butter cups are much higher in calories and sugar, but these nutritionals are for two peanut butter cups as opposed to one, plus they have five grams of protein instead of just one.

"A Reese's peanut butter cup contains less saturated fat but more added sugar, so I wouldn't say one option is better than the other, but if you are looking to this as a replacement to the candy you do love, just eat the real thing but do it as a special treat and not an every day occurrence," Palinski-Wade says.

Nutritional info per package: 220 calories, 13 g fat (4.5 g saturated fat), 150 mg sodium, 24 g carbs (2 g fiber, 22 g sugar), 5 g protein

Bottom line: Enjoy the SlimFast keto fat bombs sparingly

If you're following keto or another low-carb diet, Palinski-Wade says, "I would recommend these [fat bombs] be consumed as an occasional treat and not an everyday food item." There are plenty of other delicious, satisfying, and healthy desserts out there. "You are better off having some natural peanut butter with a square of dark chocolate as the best choice." Check out these healthy dark chocolate bars:

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