Anna Kendrick Opens Up About Diet Struggles—And Why Macaroni and Cheese Will Always Win Her Heart
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Anna Kendrick has built her reputation on wit, talent, and an uncanny ability to connect with audiences. From her breakout role in Up in the Air to her pitch-perfect performances in the Pitch Perfect franchise, the Academy-, Emmy-, and Tony-nominated star has long been a fixture in Hollywood. But it’s not just her career accolades that make her stand out—it’s her candor. In interviews, Kendrick has been refreshingly open about her struggles with diet, her complicated relationship with food, and her unapologetic love for macaroni and cheese.
Behind the glamour, Kendrick embodies authenticity, resilience, and relatability. Her willingness to share imperfections, often with humor, reveals a woman unafraid to break Hollywood’s illusion of perfection.
Falling Off the Vegan Wagon—For Macaroni and Cheese
In a 2020 Shape magazine profile, Kendrick revealed that her brief attempt at veganism collapsed under the weight of her favorite comfort food: macaroni and cheese. “Carbs and dairy are my biggest vice,” she admitted, explaining that this beloved dish was her downfall after nearly two years of avoiding animal products.
On Hot Ones in 2023, she playfully recalled eating Kraft Easy Mac while wearing a Met Gala gown—an image that perfectly captures her unique brand of down-to-earth humor. These moments underline her ability to celebrate small joys, even when they clash with medical advice or Hollywood’s dietary expectations.
Her honesty resonates with fans who, like Kendrick, struggle to reconcile health goals with comfort-food cravings. Instead of shaming herself, she leans into humor, making her imperfections feel relatable rather than flaws.
Lessons in Resilience
Kendrick’s food confessions reveal more than just cravings—they highlight her resilience. She has admitted that restrictive diets “always backfired,” leaving her unhappy and prone to overindulgence. While her doctors likely advised limiting dairy—especially to protect her singing voice for musicals such as The Last Five Years—Kendrick has chosen balance over deprivation.
This determination echoes throughout her career. From her Broadway debut at 13, which earned her a Tony nomination, to her acclaimed directorial debut with Woman of the Hour in 2023, Kendrick has continuously rebounded from setbacks with strength. Her openness about overcoming an eating disorder in her early 20s further demonstrates her courage and empathy, qualities that make her an inspiration to others facing personal battles.
Relatability in Wellness and Beyond
Kendrick’s approach to health and wellness often mirrors the frustrations of her fans. “It’s awful. I hate it!” she confessed on The Ellen Show in 2015 when discussing the effort required to maintain healthy eating. She has also been candid about feeling inadequate in wellness spaces, once telling Shape that meditation classes made her feel like she was “doing it wrong.”
Her empathy extends beyond food to mental health advocacy. By acknowledging the difficulty of maintaining “perfect” habits, she reassures fans that imperfection is normal. Kendrick’s support for body positivity, coupled with her emphasis on moderation, reinforces a message of self-acceptance over rigid ideals.
Moderation Over Perfection
If there’s a guiding principle in Kendrick’s life, it’s moderation. In Shape, she described her philosophy as “everything in moderation,” a mantra that helped her break free from the cycle of strict diets and inevitable slip-ups. She balances her love of indulgent foods like macaroni and cheese with ginger wellness shots and hiking for mental clarity.
Even her self-professed lack of cooking skills—admitting in a 2024 People interview that she “doesn’t know how to” cook and instead relies on simple pleasures like Keurig-brewed iced coffee—adds to her charm. By embracing her quirks and imperfections, Kendrick models a healthier, more forgiving approach to self-care.
A Star Who Inspires Through Honesty
Anna Kendrick’s confessions about food are more than lighthearted anecdotes—they’re a reflection of her authenticity, resilience, and humanity. By admitting that macaroni and cheese remains irresistible, even against medical advice, she dismantles the facade of celebrity perfection and embraces what makes her happiest.
In doing so, Kendrick has become more than a Hollywood star. She is a relatable figure whose imperfections inspire fans to embrace their own, proving that sometimes the noblest act is simply being unapologetically yourself.
Would you like me to pitch this article with a playful lifestyle-magazine angle (“Anna Kendrick Chooses Mac & Cheese Over Perfection”) or keep it as a more thoughtful profile that highlights her resilience and relatability?
