Gwyneth Paltrow, the Oscar-winning actress and wellness entrepreneur, has revealed she’s embracing carbohydrates again after years of following a strict paleo diet with her husband, Brad Falchuk. The 52-year-old, known for her lifestyle brand, Goop, and often-discussed dietary choices, has previously championed various eating regimens, from macrobiotic and plant-based to Mediterranean. This shift marks a departure from the grain-free, low-carb approach of the paleo diet.
Paltrow’s journey into the world of wellness and food was deeply influenced by her father's battle with throat cancer. While the specifics of her renewed embrace of carbs remain undisclosed, the move suggests a potential softening of her previously rigid dietary stances. Speaking on her Goop podcast, she reflected on her past experience with macrobiotics, describing it as a time when she became “obsessed with eating very, very healthily.”
“I really deepened my connection with food and the whole philosophy around macrobiotics,” she said. “It’s essentially how they eat in the mountains of Japan—very local, very seasonal. Lots of fish, vegetables, rice, no dairy, no sugar.” Paltrow acknowledged she may have become overly zealous about her dietary habits during that time. “I felt so good, I wanted to share that with my dad, my friends, and family,” she said. “I was amazed that if we treated ourselves well and ate whole foods, we could feel so much better. I was sort of intoxicated by that idea—and I still feel that way.”
Over time, however, Paltrow has experienced ongoing health challenges related to inflammation, which influenced her and Falchuk’s decision to adopt the paleo diet several years ago. “Although I’m a little bit sick of it, if I’m honest,” she admitted, revealing that she’s now enjoying foods she had previously eliminated. “I’m getting back into eating sourdough bread, and some cheese—there, I said it. A little pasta after being strict with it for so long.”
Despite the shift, Paltrow maintains that the principles of whole, fresh food remain central to her approach to nutrition. “I think it’s a good template,” she said. “Eating foods that are as whole and fresh as possible—I don’t think any doctor or nutritionist would refute that. It’s a good starting point.”
Paltrow, best known for her roles in Iron Man, Shallow Hal, and Sliding Doors, won an Academy Award for her performance in Shakespeare in Love in the 1990s. She met Brad Falchuk on the set of Glee and married in 2018. Paltrow was previously married to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, until they announced they had “consciously uncoupled” in March 2014.
In her podcast, Paltrow discussed how her strict paleo diet had drawn criticism in the past, particularly for its extreme nature, which included meals like bone broth for lunch. “I went into hardcore macrobiotics for a certain time,” she said. “That was an interesting chapter where I got kind of obsessed with eating very, very healthily.” Part of this obsession stemmed from her desire to help her father during his battle with cancer, a journey that began when she was around 26 years old.
“I think that I was really trying to heal my dad by proxy, and he just didn’t really want anything to do with it,” she shared. Paltrow’s father passed away in 2002, which left a profound impact on her approach to nutrition and wellness.
The paleo diet, which Paltrow and Falchuk adopted, emphasizes foods that were available to ancient human ancestors, including lean meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, while excluding grains and dairy. This dietary choice was initially made to address Paltrow's health concerns related to inflammation, which she has been managing over the years.
However, as time passed, Paltrow began to feel constrained by the limitations of the paleo diet. “I’m a little sick of it if I’m honest,” she admitted, echoing sentiments of many who have tried restrictive diets. She expressed relief at being able to reintroduce foods like sourdough bread and cheese into her meals, stating, “A little pasta after being strict for so long.”
Nutrition experts have responded positively to Paltrow's dietary evolution. Priya Tew, a specialist dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, remarked, “It is great to hear that Gwyneth is adding back into her very restrictive diet. This is definitely a good thing.” Tew emphasized the importance of a balanced diet, stating that cutting out whole food groups is not beneficial for overall health, and that diversity in one's diet is crucial for meeting nutritional needs.
Paltrow’s lifestyle brand, Goop, which she founded in 2008, has faced scrutiny over the years for its controversial health claims. In 2018, the company was penalized for making “unsubstantiated claims” about some of its products, including vaginal eggs. Despite the criticisms, Paltrow continues to be a prominent figure in the wellness industry, advocating for a lifestyle that emphasizes health and vitality.
As she navigates her relationship with food, Paltrow's recent changes reflect a broader trend in the wellness community, where many are moving away from rigid dietary restrictions in favor of a more holistic and balanced approach to nutrition. Her journey serves as a reminder that wellness is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor, and that flexibility can be key to long-term health.
With her renewed focus on incorporating a variety of foods, Paltrow exemplifies a shift towards a more sustainable and enjoyable approach to eating. As she continues to share her experiences through her podcast and brand, many will be watching to see how this evolution impacts her health and lifestyle.
