Vanessa Hudgens Defends Keto, Says She Fasts for 18 Hours Every Day

Keto is far and away the most talked about, and also the most polarizing, diet du jour. The Real Housewives of Orange County's Tamra Judge said she got sick from it, Jenna Jameson says she loves it and swears by it, Jersey Shore's Vinny "Keto Guido" Guadagnino calls it a full-on lifestyle, Katie Couric and Gina Kirschenheiter hate it, celeb trainer Jillian Michaels called it a "bad idea," drawing harsh backlash from celeb Keto fans like Al Roker — and The Dubrow Diet author Dr. Terry Dubrow called it "really dumb."

And now, actress Vanessa Hudgens is jumping into the public debate over Keto — making her voice known as one of its supporters. “It’s great,” she told PEOPLE about Keto. “If you have the right ingredients to keep you on track, I think it’s amazing. People a lot of times think of fats in diets as a negative thing, and when you’re doing Keto it’s a very positive thing. I’m always making sure I’m getting those healthy fats in, so I eat a LOT of almond butter. You feel really energetic and supported on the Keto diet.”

She told PEOPLE she goes back and forth between Keto and intermittent fasting. 

“I’ve been intermittent fasting a lot, because for me, I love pasta, I love pizza, and when I’m not eating carbs I feel like a little piece of me dies,” she told PEOPLE. “Intermittent fasting is great, because when I am fasting — those first two weeks are definitely rough, I’m not going to lie, but after that I feel more grounded and powerful in my workouts. And I get the nutrients that I need when I eat, but then I also eat what I want.”

Hudgens eats for just six hours daily — between noon and 6 p.m. — and maintains a fast for the other 18 hours each day.

“I feel like it’s a recipe that works for me,” she said. “Everyone’s different of course, but for me, that’s what’s been the most beneficial so far.”

Here's everything celebs have said about Keto — the good, the bad and the ugly: