Vanessa Hudgens had issues fitting into her High School Musical costumes

Vanessa Hudgens’ eating habits were once so bad she struggled to fit into her ‘High School Musical’ costumes.

The actress admitted that in 2007 her weight ballooned after she stopped eating vegetables and gorged on junk food, leaving her struggling when it came to appearing in a live show version of the film series.

She told US magazine Shape: “I was so unhealthy. I used to go to Cold Stone Creamery, get a tub of Butterfinger ice cream and eat it all before bedtime.

“I lived on [microwaveable junk food] Hot Pockets and never touched vegetables; I needed to do something about my diet.

“My fingers were permanently stained orange from Cheetos. I almost couldn’t get my costume on. When I finally got it zipped up, my boobs were up to my chin!”

Vanessa – who dated her co-star hunk Zac Efron for five years from 2005 to 2010 – said she has since ditched her unhealthy diet and it has made a remarkable change to her figure and helped her attitude toward food improve.

She added to Shape magazine: “I like egg whites with veggies or oatmeal with almonds and fruit.”

Now, for lunch and dinner Vanessa usually has a spinach salad with grilled chicken or salmon, Marcona almonds, feta, a little truffle oil and a dash of Himalayan sea salt.

She added: “When you’re putting good stuff into your body, you feel so much better.”

Vanessa also takes regular exercise, including pilates, yoga and spinning as well as attending cardio kickboxing classes with her mother.