People who want to lose weight take inspiration from other success stories. Celebrities are among the most popular examples that people flock to, as they must remain in good shape for films, red-carpet events, and the like. Following celebrity diets has been around for centuries since many wanted to get motivated and be inspired by people they look up to.
Unfortunately, not all celebrity diets are effective. Some don’t work for every body type, while others are harmful or unsustainable. One celebrity diet that became the talk of the town in 2023 was actress Gwyneth Paltrow’s. It was so controversial that it sparked many people’s opinions on the internet, including Canadian dietitian Abbey Sharp.
Below, we’ll dive deeper into Gwyneth Paltrow’s diet, why Sharp criticized it, and healthier approaches to eating:
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Diet
This issue began when Gwyneth Paltrow guested on the health and fitness podcast “The Art of Being Well.” There, she talked about how her daily meals consisted of coffee, bone broth soup, and a paleo-style vegetable meal. She mentioned how this diet supports her detox. These restrictive food habits alerted many health and diet experts.
In particular, Toronto-based nutritionist and dietitian Abbey Sharp expressed her concern. Calling Paltrow the queen of problematic wellness misinformation and disinformation on her Instagram account, she noted that Paltrow’s diet was not balanced—as it lacked key nutrients like protein and carbohydrates—and served to promote extreme calorie deficiency as a healthy eating habit.
Aside from encouraging nutritional deficiency, Sharp added that extreme calorie deficits can lead to gallstone formation. This is because the body starts breaking down fat for energy, causing the liver to secrete more cholesterol that forms gallstones upon combining with bile. For women, specifically, eating too few calories prevents the release of the gonadotropin hormone responsible for starting the menstruation cycle. This creates a domino effect, resulting in reproductive health issues rooted in low estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels.
There’s no doubt that some women may try Paltrow’s diet due to the platform and influence she holds—but given the health risks of extreme calorie deficiency, it’s best to follow Sharp’s advice instead: make sure you get enough nutrients through your diet. Here’s how you can do just that by forming better eating habits.
How to Form Better Eating Habits
Focus on nutrition
Try to reshape your relationship with food instead of seeking the quick weight loss results promoted by celebrities and influencers. Whether you’re following a new, healthy diet or committing to seriously following a weight loss program, remember that your efforts will only be effective if you take nutrition into account. One of the ways our motivation for weight loss is reduced is when we set unsustainable, unenjoyable goals. You should have to label food as “good” or “bad.” Instead, view them as “nutritious” and “less nutritious” so you don’t feel guilty about what you eat. You can start by eating meals that contain a variety of nutrients, like fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Ultimately, though, it’s best to choose a doctor-recommended nutrition plan that will help you get your desired results better in a healthy way.
Add rather than subtract
You don’t need to cut out calories or the foods you love to eat when you’re on a diet. Instead, focus on adding healthy food to meals that you deem “unhealthy.” For example, if you want to eat a meat pizza, add a salad on the side to get your fill of vegetables. If you’re eating ice cream, add fruits and granola on top. This helps you create a more balanced diet without having to undergo extreme calorie deficits to lose weight. By doing so, you’ll prevent deeming certain foods as “enemies,” allowing you to enjoy your meals and approach weight loss more healthily.
Despite the cult of celebrity and our trust in their endorsements, their diets aren’t always the healthiest to follow. It’s better to form healthy eating habits than blindly follow someone else’s regimen to achieve weight loss.
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