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Sarah Michelle Gellar slammed by fans for 'problematic' Instagram post

Sarah Michelle Gellar. Image via Getty Images.
Sarah Michelle Gellar. Image via Getty Images.

Sarah Michelle Gellar is receiving mixed reactions from fans after sharing some sexy lingerie pictures to Instagram.

The “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star recently took to social media to share pictures from a 2007 Maxim photoshoot with the caption, “I’m just going to pin these up all over my house as a reminder not to overeat on Thursday. #thanksgivingprep ”

The 41-year-old’s post upset some of her fans, who dubbed her comments “triggering” and “problematic” for suggesting she needed inspiration to avoid indulging over the holidays.

A “Please consider rewording this,” one upset person wrote. “There’s nothing wrong with eating or being something other than skinny…this post is a great way to trigger people’s eating disorders.”

“How empowering for women!” another wrote sarcastically. “Disappointing to use your platform to promote thinspiration on a once a year holiday that should be about togetherness and gratitude.”

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“Your caption is problematic and I suggest you do some research on eating disorders and the mental health issues that go along with them,” wrote a concerned commenter. “Diet culture is harmful to women. Girls look up to you, and you should be mindful of the message you’re sending. That said, you can definitely still slay and be proud of what you worked hard to achieve. I just want you to be aware and mindful of the potential impact of your words and the message you’re sending.”

The comments section of Gellar’s post lit up with a debate over the star’s post. While some branded the mother-of-two’s message to be in poor taste, others thought it was a harmless joke, and were quick to jump to the star’s defense.

“As a former anorexic and bulimic, I don’t see any harm or malice in this post,” wrote one of Gellar’s fans. “She looks amazing and shouldn’t be shamed for looking that way. You are also body shaming her for the way she looks. Just let her post what she wants and if you don’t like it, then don’t follow her.”

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Gellar has yet to comment on the controversy — but she’s been candid about suffering from body image issues in the past.

In 2011, the actor revealed in an interview with Health magazine that she struggles with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a form of anxiety disorder characterized by an obsession with a person’s perceived bodily defect.

Image via Getty Images.
Image via Getty Images.

“I totally have body dysmorphic disorder. I think most women do,” Gellar told the magazine. “I just have to remember that I’m human, and I’m a mom. Being a parent changes the vanity at least a little bit.”

People with BDD can become debilitated by the thoughts regarding their appearance and experience low self-esteem, and are often diagnosed with depression, social anxiety, eating disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Gellar also told the magazine that she’s dedicated to living a healthy lifestyle but doesn’t obsess about working out. The star has even admitted that she doesn’t own a scale or allow one in her house, saying that she’s never believed in them.

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While Gellar’s post was most likely a joke gone wrong, one woman summed the entire situation up perfectly and told haters to take a hike.

“She just wanted to post pics of herself looking hot and threw that message in so it would seem connected to Turkey Day,” the fan wrote. “She looks great. Who cares what she eats! Not your concern!”

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