At 51, Gwyneth Paltrow's Workout Of Choice Is Super Doable
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Gwyneth Paltrow is opening up about her diet and fitness routine.
In an April 26 "Ask Me Anything" on her Instagram Stories, the 51-year-old was asked how many days a week she works out, per People.
“I do something six days a week, but with a lot less intensity than I used to," she said in a video response. "Even just going for an hour walk. Or like now, I'm walking around our giant Goop office."
Gwyneth added that she usually takes “multiple spins” around the office to “stretch my legs.” But she tries to do "something—a little something—every day.”
Last year, the Avengers star received backlash when she shared her eating routine on the Art of Being Well podcast, after fans pointed out that she likely isn't consuming the recommended amount of calories per day.
"I do a nice intermittent fast," Gwyneth told host Will Cole, revealing that she typically starts eating around noon. “In the morning, I’ll have some things that won’t spike my blood sugar. So, I have coffee.”
For her first meal, she'll have bone broth, followed by an hour of movement that could include a walk, Pilates, or a workout by fitness expert Tracy Anderson. “And then I get in the sauna,” she said. “I dry brush and I get in the sauna. So, I do my infrared sauna for 30 minutes.”
Gwyneth said she tends to eat dinner early. “For dinner I try to eat, according to paleo,” she said. “So lots of vegetables. It's really important for me to support my detox.”
Gwyneth later posted a video to her Instagram Stories addressing the backlash. In it, she said that she had been working with Will, who has a doctorate in natural medicine, to try to address symptoms of “chronic stuff” and long COVID she’s been dealing with, per Today.
"This is not to say that I eat this way all day every day," she said. "By the way, I far more than bone broth and vegetables. I eat full meals. And I also have a lot of days of eating whatever I want and eating French fries and whatever. But my baseline really has been to try to be healthy and to eat foods that will really calm the system down.”
Registered dietitians don't recommend Gwyneth's lifestyle, telling patients that the number of calories they need to consume can vary depending on a person's activity length, endurance level, person’s age, sex, height, and weight goals.
"It is important to fuel your body properly while working out," Keri Gans, R.D., author of The Small Change Diet, tells WH. "Adequate carbohydrate intake is necessary for energy and protein to help build and repair muscles."
Here’s what registered dietitians have to say about Gwyneth's diet and exercise routine.
Meet the experts: Keri Gans, R.D., author of The Small Change Diet. Scott Keatley, R.D., co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy. Albert Matheny, R.D., C.S.C.S., a co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab.
At face value, this is not a healthy diet.
This isn't how Gwyneth eats every day, she's since clarified. But dietitians agree that having a diet that consists mainly of bone broth, vegetables, and coffee is not healthy.
“Matching caloric intake with energy expenditure is crucial,” says Scott Keatley, R.D., co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy. Albert Matheny, R.D., C.S.C.S., a co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab, agrees. “It’s typically not the best to drastically cut your calories at the same time as you increase your activity,” he says.
A restrictive diet can negatively impact on your health, now and in the future.
There are several issues that can pop up if you follow an overly-restrictive diet and work out regularly. “In the short-term, you can have lack of energy, you could be dizzy, and you could have low blood sugar,” Matheny says.
Over time, that can lead to nutritional deficiencies, decreased muscle mass, and the possibility of slowing down your metabolism, Keatley says. “This is particularly critical as metabolic needs can increase with regular exercise,” he adds.
If you want to ensure you’re taking in enough calories to support your lifestyle, Keatley recommends calculating your basal metabolic rate, which is the number of calories you burn naturally, every day. Many online calculators will even tell you the number of calories needed based on your daily activity levels.
Keatley also suggests making sure you have a good mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in your meals. “Carbohydrates are crucial for energy, proteins for muscle repair and growth, and fats for hormonal functions and energy,” he says.
"I wouldn’t focus so much on total calorie intake, but rather consuming a well-balanced, non-restrictive diet consisting of plenty of fruits, veggies, one hundred percent whole grains, nuts or seeds, low-fat dairy, and adequate protein throughout the day," Gans adds.
You can also use food tracking apps to log what you’re eating and how you feel, making adjustments to your diet and workout as needed. And, if you'd like, consider consulting a dietitian for personalized guidance.
"Incorporating a balanced approach to health that includes mindful eating, regular physical activity, and stress management can lead to better health outcomes," Keatley says. "It's important to create a healthy relationship with food and exercise, where they serve to enhance life rather than become sources of anxiety."
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