American actress, singer, author, and mother Gwyneth Paltrow has been the businesswoman behind Goop since 2008. It launched directly out of her kitchen during this time, as a means for women to discover travel, health and wellness, beauty, food, and fitness. This lifestyle site began to provide women with useful information, tips, and advice very quickly. Women could also head to Goop to collect and attempt recipes. Essentially, women who wanted to become healthier versions of themselves went straight to this website and soaked it all in like a sponge. Through Goop, women connected with one another in an intimate, aesthetically pleasing setting. They all went on a journey together. How lovely!
In theory, this health and beauty business sounds helpful, possibly essential to some. However, Gwyneth Paltrow seems to be in constant hot water for advice, statements, and information Goop provides to women all over the world. It’s no surprise that some are taken aback by Paltrow’s way of living. Her consumption of Moon juice dust, her use of jade yoni eggs, and spending $603 for her nighttime skin-care routine had people asking questions. Huh? What? You’ve got to be kidding me? So, although it works for Paltrow, she’s come under harsh criticism over the years.
Recently, Paltrow and Goop are back in the headlines. This time for weight loss advice found in an article entitled, “Busting Diet Myths,” which was claimed to be “Supported By Science.” Paltrow published the article in Goop and it consisted of a doctor’s interview. This doctor suggests to readers that they should try to achieve their “leanest livable weight” goal. Now many individuals, doctors, nutrition experts, and readers are criticizing Paltrow and Goop for glorifying skinniness.
The idea of individuals being encouraged and instructed to achieve their “leanest livable weight” is not positive, helpful, scientific weight loss advice. Instead, this type of advice is what causes women to develop eating disorders, disordered eating, body dysmorphia, and a fear of food. Additionally, this is more harmful to young women who fall within the impressionable age. Essentially, they believe everything they hear, read, and see on social media. Most importantly, because this weight loss advice is somewhat confusing, younger individuals can interpret this as “I must be as thin as humanly possible.” Therefore, this advice is doing more harm than good.
On a personal level, I certainly agree that telling millions of people that they should achieve their “leanest livable weight” is incredibly dangerous. I also do not believe in diet culture. I think that it’s time we stop providing people with diet advice as if dieting- as if restricting the food that provides us with energy and keeps us alive- should be a norm in society. I’m done with diet culture, and perhaps Gwyneth Paltrow and Goop should be, too.
I believe it’s about time we love our bodies as they are. What do you think?
