Gwyneth Paltrow said she has returned to eating food she previously restricted, including sourdough bread, pasta and cheese, having been on a strict paleo diet for several years.

The Oscar-winning US actress-turned-health guru has advocated for the benefits of a range of different diets while promoting her lifestyle business.

Speaking on her most recent Goop podcast this week, she said: "I went into hardcore macrobiotic for a certain time, that was an interesting chapter where I got obsessed with eating very, very healthily."

Paltrow said she got into "wellness and food" because of her father's throat cancer but has now broadened out her food choices.

'Strict with it for so long'

A paleo diet is based on the idea that if we eat like our ancient ancestors, we'll be healthier and reduce our risk of certain diseases.

"I really deepened my connection with food and the whole philosophy around macrobiotics, which is essentially just how they eat in the mountains of Japan, so very local, very seasonal," she explained.

"Lots of fish, vegetables, rice, no dairy, no sugar, etc."

The star went on to admit that during that period of time she "might have got a little didactic about it." "I felt so good, I wanted to share that with my dad, my friends and family."

She said she had become "intoxicated by that idea" that if she and her loved ones stayed hydrated and ate "whole foods" then "we could just feel so much better".

She added she still feels the same way today, to an extent, but that things had "gotten a little more complicated" as she had gotten older regarding "inflammation and health stuff."

"It's the reason that Brad and I became paleo a few years ago now, although I'm a little bit sick of it, if I'm honest," she added, concerning her husband Brad Falchuk, co-creator of the Glee TV series.

"I'm getting back into eating sourdough bread, and some cheese - there, I said it. A little pasta after being strict with it for so long.

"But again, I think it's a good template, right? Eating foods that are as whole and fresh as possible. I don't think there is any doctor or nutritionist who would refute that, it's a good starting point."

'Balanced and nutritious diet'

Priya Tew, specialist dietitian from Dietitian UK and media spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, said it was "great to hear" that Paltrow was "adding back into her very restrictive diet".

"This is definitely a good thing," she told the BBC.

"Carbohydrates are a vital part of our diets, providing fibre, B vitamins and energy. They are also key for our gut microbiome and bring taste and enjoyment to meals.

"It sounds like Gwyneth is moving towards a more balanced and nutritious diet. Considering her realm of influence, it is good to hear that she is finding this of benefit."

She added, "Nutrition research shows us that cutting out whole food groups is not good for our overall health.

"We need diversity and variety to help us meet all our nutritional needs, to bring taste into out diets and prevent boredom and to also bring pleasure!"

Having largely stepped away from Hollywood in recent times to focus on health and wellness, Paltrow is set to make her big screen return opposite Timothée Chalamet in the upcoming sports action movie Marty Supreme.

She won the Best Actress Oscar in 1999 for starring in the period drama Shakespeare In Love, and also featured in Sliding Doors and a string of later Marvel movies.