Gwyneth Paltrow detox cleanse

It's no secret that Gwyneth Paltrow hearts detox cleanses. They seem to work for her, judging by the tight body she's rocking these days. But the thing is, the winter cleanse she promotes in the latest edition of Goop, her weekly newsletter, might be taking things a bit too far. 

How so? The newly released plan (created with Dr. Alejandro Junger, Gwyneth writes in Goop), is a three-day cleanse that limits followers to 300 calories a day. Among the menu offerings are room-temperature lemon water in the morning, "clean" carrot soup for lunch, and a handful of seeds if you're feeling snacky. Everything is unprocessed and has zero caffeine, gluten, or added sugar. Gwyneth says this version of her annual winter detox "won't leave you feeling cold and hungry during the winter months" and "doesn't feel like a sacrifice." 

Sounds great, right? But unfortunately, some nutrition experts warn that following this plan can sacrifice your health. "Eating only 300 calories per day makes it almost impossible for you to take in the vitamins and minerals your body needs on a daily basis, which can over time weaken the immune system and lower energy levels," says Erin Palinski-Wade, R.D., a nutritionist based in New Jersey. And while some research shows that restricting your caloric intake (to as little as 500 calories) on a periodic basis may help result in weight loss and promote overall health, anything more dramatic than that will backfire, causing muscle wasting and putting the brakes on your metabolism, says Palinski-Wade. 

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The other thing is, the whole concept of a "detox" diet is questionable anyway. "Your body already detoxes itself as food passes through the liver and kidneys," says Palinski-Wade. That said, eliminating added sugar, artificial chemicals, and processed gunk from your diet is always a good idea if your goal is to look and feel healthier. "Fill your plate with fresh fruits and vegetables, along with lean proteins—such as fish, beans, cottage cheese—and whole grains—such as quinoa and brown rice," suggests Palinski-Wade. "Limit excess sodium, foods with artificial ingredients, and refined carbs." It's not about ridding so-called toxins from your system, as Gwyneth seems to believe, but about eating foods that promote improved health, weight loss, and increased energy. 

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