It’s time we stop Gwyneth Paltrow from talking publicly about her unhealthy wellness practices
Gwyneth Paltrow strikes again. Each time the self-proclaimed queen of wellness dips her toes back into the limelight to share what she considers to be a helpful dosage of nutrition wisdom, we’re reminded of the fact that what she’s really doing is promoting a highly toxic and dangerous lifestyle—one that thrives upon the body insecurities of young women everywhere.
In a recent episode of Dr. Will Cole’s podcast The Art Of Being Well, Paltrow spilled the details regarding her daily eating habits and wellness routines. The 50-year-old also completed the interview while having an IV drip attached to her arm, something she says makes her feel “so good.”
The actress first detailed that she often fasts intermittently, which is also why at around 12 pm, she will just drink coffee so that it “doesn’t spike [her] blood sugar.” Paltrow also divulged that for lunch she’ll often have “bone broth” which is a stock or liquid made up from boiling animal bones and tissue.
While the Goop founder noted that she’d have it for lunch, bone broth is customarily only used as part of sauces or gravies and, you guessed it, comes with a very low calorie count. Then, for dinner, Paltrow stated that she tries and eats “paleo” and so will stick to a vegetable-heavy dinner to “support [her] detox.”
@dearmedia #gwynethpaltrow shares her daily wellness routine on The Art Of Being Well, listen now 🎧 #wellnessroutine #healthandwellness #healthylifestyle #routines #goop #podcastclips
♬ Aesthetic - Tollan Kim
Moreover, the ultimate nepotism baby noted that throughout the day, she’ll prioritise spending one hour focusing on body movement, which she’ll then follow with a 30-minute sauna session, again re-emphasising how these actions are in-line with her “detox.”
While Paltrow’s strict dedication to all things wellness is nothing new, netizens were definitely shocked at the actress’ frankness regarding her highly limited daily food intake. One dietician took to TikTok to share their concerns with the recent podcast, noting in the caption: “So much diet culture in this ‘wellness routine’. I worry about how many people will follow this.”
@kim_nutrition #duet with @dearmedia #gwynethpaltrow So much diet culture in this ‘wellness routine’. I worry about how many people will follow this. Please remember to eat regulalry over the day and enjoy all foods as part of a balanced diet xx #dietculture #wellness #dietitian
♬ Aesthetic - Tollan Kim
Another industry professional reiterated this point, captioning her video: “This isn’t wellness, this is disordered. This is not enough food.”
@feelgooddietitian #duet with @dearmedia #gwynethpaltrow this isnt #wellness this is DISORDERED. THIS IS NOT ENOUGH FOOD especially for someone that is 5’9” Please stop following and listening to celebrities for your health and wellness advice. #disorderedeating #disorderedbehaviour #orthorexia #intuitiveeating #foodfreedom
♬ Aesthetic - Tollan Kim
The wellness industry can be a highly toxic place, and more so now than ever. We’ve seen an uptake in heroine chic and the concept of thin culture reemerging in 2023. So, when celebrities such as Paltrow are given a platform to spread these kinds of highly dangerous messaging, we’re simply reminded of the fact that fatphobia is still rife, and we’re taking enormous leaps backwards in regard to the body acceptance movement.
Masquerading as a solution to achy joints, lack of flexibility, and sore stomachs—the wellness industry hinges its success on selling cures to our problems, while simultaneously getting us addicted to tactics and strategies that will ultimately result in us starving ourselves.
It should be noted that Goop, Paltrow’s official launch into the wellness industry, has also been at the helm of a number of controversies. And no, we’re not talking about the vagina-scented candle—which, if anything, was more of a feminist statement than a table piece, and was also far less offensive than Kourtney Kardashian’s recent probiotic pills which promised to make your vagina smell like a sweet treat.
Although, we should mention that Paltrow has repeatedly encouraged women to “steam” their vaginas every once in a while in order to promote the rebalancing of the female hormones. Sounds like another bogus trend to me.
What’s really of note is the company’s blatant disregard for anyone’s wallets. In 2019, it was revealed that Goop’s London wellness summit had not only cost attendees over $1,000, but that it had also been a complete rip off, stuffed to the brim with extortionate add-ons and slightly lacklustre activities. One attendee told Page Six at the time that Paltrow was a “f*cking extortionist.”
Ultimately, the questionable nature and price tag of the Goop lifestyle is an obstacle that’ll never really go away. As long as celebrities are platformed for their supposed wisdom and bank accounts, there’ll be a willing audience ready to spend their savings.
However, the issues surrounding Paltrow’s irresponsible pedalling of unattainable, unrealistic and downright unhealthy lifestyles is something we shouldn’t let slide. Do we really want to let all of the work that’s been done fighting against these mindsets go to waste, all in the name of ‘wellness’?
