Quick answer: Celebrities who have talked publicly about their favourite healthy foods include Jennifer Aniston (a chocolate-flavoured protein smoothie), Madonna (coconut water), Alicia Silverstone (umeboshi plums), Jillian Michaels (Popchips), Jessica Alba (popcorn) and Heidi Klum (EBoost drink powder). Each of these choices was reported in interviews, mostly between 2008 and 2016. A food being a celebrity favourite does not make it a health food, so this guide also explains what each one actually offers.
Celebrities are expected to look after themselves, and many work with trainers and chefs to do it. When they mention a food they love, it can start a trend or a product launch, and some later invest in or endorse the brands they talk about.
Fans of Avengers: Infinity War may remember a lighter version of this. In the Sanctum scene, Tony Stark tells Doctor Strange that Ben & Jerry’s named an ice-cream flavour after him, and Strange names it as “Stark Raving Hazelnuts”. This list is about healthier choices, and about what the stars themselves have said.
An earlier version of this article listed nine celebrities. When we checked each claim in October 2026, we could not trace three of them to the original interviews, so we removed them (details at the end). Dates are given so you know how old each comment is.
1. Jennifer Aniston: a chocolate protein smoothie
Jennifer Aniston, best known as Rachel Green in the TV series Friends, has talked about her diet many times. In People magazine’s 2016 “World’s Most Beautiful” issue, she described a breakfast smoothie made with:
- bananas, cherries and blackberries;
- a greens powder;
- collagen peptides;
- a little cacao powder and chocolate stevia drops;
- chocolate almond milk.
She said she prefers chocolate flavours because she does not like the taste of protein powder.
What to know: a fruit-based smoothie can be a convenient breakfast, especially with a protein source. The evidence for collagen supplements and greens powders is limited, and they can be expensive. Whole fruit, curd or milk, and a handful of nuts do a similar job for less. If you want ideas, see our guide to natural ingredients for homemade shakes.
2. Madonna: coconut water
Pop singer Madonna became so fond of coconut water that, in 2010, she was reported to have invested nearly US$1.5 million in the coconut-water brand Vita Coco. The investment was first reported by the New York Post and repeated by UPI. Reports at the time said she started drinking coconut water during her Sticky & Sweet tour. An earlier version of this article misspelled the brand as “Vito Coco” and said she drank it every day; we could not confirm the daily habit. Vita Coco is still sold and is listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
What to know: coconut water is mostly water. It naturally contains potassium and some other minerals, and it is a pleasant way to stay hydrated. The earlier version said it is a source of fibre, but coconut water contains very little. For everyday hydration, plain water works just as well. Check packaged coconut water for added sugar.
3. Alicia Silverstone: umeboshi plums
Actress Alicia Silverstone is also a vegan cookbook author, environmentalist and animal-rights supporter. Her book The Kind Diet is a guide to plant-based eating. In a 2011 post on her website, The Kind Life, she recommended umeboshi, the Japanese salted pickled plums. She suggested adding them to tea, as in her “Hangover Tea”, sprinkling a diced piece on hot cereal, or eating one on its own. She also suggested sucking on the pit when you feel unwell, and said the plum is healing you.
What to know: umeboshi are a traditional Japanese food, but there is no good clinical evidence that they heal illness. They are also very high in salt. The World Health Organization recommends that adults eat less than 5 g of salt a day, so enjoy umeboshi in small amounts, especially if you have high blood pressure.
4. Jillian Michaels: Popchips
Fitness coach, author and TV personality Jillian Michaels told Shape magazine in 2011 that she loved Popchips as an occasional salty snack. She liked that a bag had about 100 calories and, as she described them, no preservatives, trans fats or artificial sweeteners. She admitted they were not a superfood, but said she did not think an occasional bag would hurt her. Michaels was reported to be an investor in the brand, so her enthusiasm was not entirely independent. Popchips are still sold.
What to know: Popchips are popped rather than fried, so they are usually lower in fat than regular fried chips. They are still a processed, salted snack. Keeping to a small portion is what makes them a lighter choice.
5. Jessica Alba: popcorn
Actress and entrepreneur Jessica Alba has said she is “addicted to popcorn”. In a widely reported 2015 interview, she called herself a “scatterbrain” with lots to do at once, and said eating popcorn helps her concentrate. An earlier version of this article credited the remark to the Washington Post; we could not find it there, and the earliest report we found did not name the original outlet.
What to know: plain popcorn is a whole grain and a source of fibre. It is low in calories when air-popped or made with a little oil. Butter, caramel and heavy salt quickly change that, so the healthiest version is the simplest.
6. Heidi Klum: EBoost drink powder
Model, TV producer and presenter Heidi Klum was reported in 2008 to be a regular user of EBoost Super Powder. These were vitamin and electrolyte drink-mix packets that she used for energy and focus, particularly around workouts. The brand described the powder as containing potassium, zinc, B vitamins and caffeine from green tea and green coffee beans. EBoost no longer appears to be widely sold, so treat this as a past favourite rather than a current recommendation.
What to know: most people who eat a varied diet do not need vitamin drink powders. For ordinary workouts, water is enough to stay hydrated. Watch the caffeine content of energy drink mixes, especially if you also drink tea or coffee, are pregnant, or are sensitive to caffeine. For what vitamins and minerals actually do, see our guide to vitamins for the immune system.
Celebrity favourites at a glance
| Celebrity | Favourite | Reported | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Aniston | Chocolate protein smoothie | People, 2016 | Whole foods can replace pricey powders |
| Madonna | Coconut water | New York Post / UPI, 2010 | Mostly water plus potassium; little fibre |
| Alicia Silverstone | Umeboshi plums | The Kind Life, 2011 | Very salty; no proven healing effect |
| Jillian Michaels | Popchips | Shape, 2011 | Lighter than fried chips, still a processed snack |
| Jessica Alba | Popcorn | Interview, 2015 | Whole grain when plain |
| Heidi Klum | EBoost drink powder | Reported 2008 | Contains caffeine; brand no longer widely sold |
What happened to the other three entries?
An earlier version of this article included three more names:
- Dr Mehmet Oz on dark chocolate. We could not find the Health magazine interview the quote was credited to. The quote also claimed milk chocolate is “not chocolate”, which is inaccurate. Dr Oz has been Administrator of the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services since April 2025.
- Jennifer Hudson on smoked almonds. We could not find the quoted interview.
- Kourtney Kardashian on Rhythm kale chips, said to have been seen during Kourtney and Kim Take New York. We could not find the magazine report it was based on.
We would rather leave a claim out than attribute words to someone that we cannot confirm. Almonds, kale and dark chocolate with a high cocoa content can all be part of a healthy diet in sensible amounts.
For more on what famous names are influencing, see our round-up of celebrity trends.
Frequently asked questions
Is coconut water healthier than plain water?
Not for most people. Coconut water adds potassium and some natural sugar, but plain water hydrates just as well for everyday needs. Choose unsweetened coconut water if you enjoy it.
Is popcorn a healthy snack?
Plain popcorn is a whole grain with fibre and relatively few calories. Large amounts of butter, sugar or salt make it much less healthy.
Should I copy a celebrity’s diet?
Use it for ideas, not as a plan. Celebrities often have professional support and different needs. A balanced diet with vegetables, fruit, whole grains, pulses and protein suits most people better than any single “favourite” food.
Are celebrity food endorsements independent?
Not always. Some celebrities invest in or are paid by the brands they mention. Madonna invested in Vita Coco and Jillian Michaels was reported to be a Popchips investor, so treat endorsements with some caution.
The quotes and claims in this article were checked in October 2026 against People (2016), UPI’s 2010 report of the New York Post story, The Kind Life (2011), Shape (2011, as reported by NBC New York), 2015 press coverage of Jessica Alba’s interview, a 2008 Haute Living report, and the WHO’s salt guidance. Claims that could not be traced to an original source were removed.
