Gwyneth Paltrow purified by pumpkin seeds

Friday, 31 July 2009

Gwyneth Paltrow feels "pure" after surviving for three weeks on pumpkin seeds and coconut water.

The slim actress followed the Clean Detox programme "to the letter", after gaining some weight during a "majorly fun and delicious relax-and-enjoy life phase".

Writing on her website, Gwyneth said: "This programme allowed me to work and exercise regularly, something I cannot do if I am on a liquid only detox. I followed it to the letter and I feel pure and happy and much lighter."

While on the diet - which has the motto Remove, Restore, Rejuvenate - Gwyneth ate one solid meal a day and meditated for at least five minutes daily.

Alcohol, dairy, sugar, caffeine, red meat, processed foods, flour, gluten and soy were banned.

The 36-year-old star survived on coconut water, herbal tea, fresh fruit smoothies, raw almonds, miso soup, raw pumpkin seeds and extra virgin olive oil.

In the evening, the 'Iron Man' star tucked into steamed salmon or chicken with green vegetables.

Gwyneth showed off her slender frame in a clingy Preen mini-dress when she attended the Children of the City Champions of Hope gala in New York on Wednesday (29.07.09).

Nutritionist Carina Norris has spoken out against the detox diet, claiming it could be endangering Gwyneth's health.

She explained: "When people start talking of detox diets, alarm bells ring in my head. It's great to give your body a rest from too much processed foods and sugars but there's no need to do something so drastic. It can be low in calories so it would work but anything over a few days is not good for you."