A woman was left 'mortified' after going through a bag of freebies given to her at a wedding fair - as it contained a diet cereal bar.
The woman, known only as Rebekah, said she attended an event organised by The Wedding Experience and was hoping to pick up some hints and tips on how to best organise a marriage ceremony.
She was given a goody bag and when she opened it she was outraged, as it contained a 'Skinny Raw' breakfast bar, as she believe this implies brides need to diet before their big day.
Rebekah took to Twitter to share her outrage at the event, held in Sittingbourne, Kent, and now the organiser has responded - defending their decision to include the item.
Do you think the event organiser should have included the diet bar in the goody bag? Let us know in the comments...
Rebekah said: "I'm not the bride, I'm the maid of honour. We went to the wedding fair and I was slightly mortified they handed over four skinny bars, which personally I think is kinda wrong. I think it perpetuates a diet culture that I don't think is needed.
"For me, it's more about the bar - it's a skinny brand, they're advertising it as guilt-free, I think with everything that brides go through it's not a positive message to be sending.
"If you're going to put something in it, don't choose something diet. I know it's just a gimmick but it can be damaging.
"It's insensitive, and it's pushing a diet culture to brides and reinforces that skinny complex if anyone has had an eating disorder. Or it could create one. I don't think it aligns with today's body positivity. "
After attending the event, Rebekah took to Twitter to share her outrage. She wrote: "I am absolutely mortified. I have just been to the wedding show in Detling Hill and received what I thought was a goody bag full of fun wedding hints and tips, instead, I find a diet bar.
"Need I say more? In 2022, do we really need to perpetuate the idea that brides need to diet?"
Tina Green, the company's event director, said: "We include a wide range of gifts in our goody bags and last weekend this included snack bars, non-alcoholic cider and beauty vitamins, along with a selection of leaflets and magazines packed with wedding inspiration.
"The confectionery item is a high-protein low-calorie snack bar which the company describes as being designed for 'on-the-go snackers'.
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"It is not a meal replacement but simply a healthy and nutritious snack, so we have in no way suggested brides and grooms focus on weight loss.
"In recent shows we've included items such as popcorn, milkshakes, orange juice, body lotion, chocolate truffles, toothpaste, sunscreen and many other diverse products.
"Not all of our free gifts will suit every bride and groom but hopefully there is something interesting for everyone to enjoy after their visit to The Wedding Experience."
A spokesperson for Halo Foods, owners of the Skinny Bars brand, said: "Our ambition is to help everyone feel good about themselves and to not make them feel guilty about enjoying the odd treat.
"We do this by producing bars that are tasty and indulgent whilst still being low calorie. With all our bars at 99 calories or less, our consumers can have a treat and still keep on track with their wellbeing goals."
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