Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow has unveiled the elements of her “wellness routine” including some of her eating habits, raising a few eyebrows in the process. The reason? It comes down to the volume – or lack thereof – of her meals. But are critics right to sound the alarms? We’ll be diving into the nutritional content of some of Gwyneth’s favourite meals.

It was on an episode of podcast The Art of Being Well with Dr Cole that the 50-year-old set the internet aflame with concern. Gwyneth gave viewers a look into her daily routine, but it was her diet that garnered the most attention – here’s what she shared.

“In the morning, I’ll have some things that don’t spike my blood sugar, so I have coffee”, she said to Dr Cole.

Photo Credit: @dearmedia on TikTok

While we don’t learn exactly what she eats for breakfast, many have implied that it may be solely coffee. Now it wouldn’t be us if we didn’t do a nutrition rundown, so of course we’ll be unpacking what a brekkie of coffee alone does to your body. Let’s dive in.

While coffee isn’t a bad option – in fact, it’s rich in antioxidants, with some studies finding it may even reduce the risk of developing liver disease – it’s not ideal to drink it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. This is because it could lead to an increased heart rate, shakiness and anxiety – but, eat a bit of solid food with your morning coffee and you’ll find far better results. The reason comes down to our morning cortisol levels, as this hormone – known as the “stress” hormone – is usually high when we wake up and it increases sugar in the bloodstream, along with raising our adrenaline levels. Add coffee to the mix and we see the effects on our body are far from the typical associations we may have with coffee like increased productivity – and without any food to cushion the blow, many of us are in for a jittery morning. Gwyneth also mentions that she sticks to foods that won’t spike her blood-sugar levels for breakfast – and this is a solid game plan to ensure your day is off to a good start – but generally, we would recommend going for foods rich in protein and healthy fats.

A brekkie high in protein has been found to promote muscle health, support weight loss and balance our satiety hormones and blood-sugar levels, reducing those afternoon sugar cravings. Healthy fats boost our nutrient absorption, keep us feeling fuller for longer and improve cognition and mood. Take a look at some of our favourite brekkies:

• Egg and avocado toast
• Omelette
• Greek yoghurt and nuts with oatmeal
• Curried chickpeas with guacamole

For lunch, Gwyneth revealed she enjoys a good soup – but usually sticks to some bone broth.

"I really like soup for lunch”, Gwyneth said on the podcast. "I have bone broth for lunch a lot of the days."

 Now, while bone broth can be nutrient-dense food, it’s not exactly a satiating lunch on its own – ideally, it would be paired with some veggies and whole grains.

Without these additions, you might find yourself feeling hungry soon after your meal, potentially leading to getting a quick sugar fix from the nearest fast food shop or your junk food drawers. Here are some ideas for ingredients to add to bone both to create a more complete, wholesome meal:

• Spinach, carrot, potato, cauliflower
• Chickpeas or lentils
• Brown rice, millet or quinoa
• Top with an avocado or an egg
• Sprinkle with chia seeds, flax seeds or even some spices

The takeaway

While some of the foods Gwyneth eats on the daily are nutritious, we always recommend sticking to a balanced diet that meets your energy needs. This includes foods rich in healthy fats, protein, vitamins and minerals to keep us feeling our best, along with giving us the strength to get through the day and enjoy life. These foods provide the following essentials:

• Balanced blood-sugar levels
• Stable mood
• Energy
• Healthy digestion
• Regular bowel movements
• Healthy hair, skin and nails
• Healthy eyes
• Reduced risk for disease

To put it simply, eating a variety of nutritious foods is a vital part of whole-body health, from the inside out. Need a little help getting the balance of nutrition right while also reigning in a sugar addiction? We're here to help. Join us for the 8-Week Program where we’ll be quitting sugar and turning our health dreams into a reality. When you sign up with us, you’ll have access to clear-cut meal plans, community support and exclusive access to our sugar-free content. Here’s what’s on offer:

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