1. Skipping meals or reducing your calorie intake does not help control weight in the long term. It is important to eat at regular intervals, ideally every 3-4 hours, as this helps to keep blood sugar levels stable.

2. Most of us do not drink enough water. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, lack of concentration, irritability and headaches. Aim to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.

3. Your mother was exactly right when she forced you to eat up your greens. We should be eating 2 servings of fruit and 3 vegetables a day for general health. To allow your vegetables to retain as much goodness as possible, put them into a pot of boiling water and cook them quickly, and have them somewhat crunchy.

4. Beware the hidden fat foods, which are normally those tasty party foods quiche, sausages, mini pies, salami and dips are some examples. Of course biscuits, cakes and desserts should also be kept to a minimum and only eaten as a special treat.

5. Bread, potatoes and pasta are all carbohydrate foods that have received bad press in the past. These foods do not make you fat on their own. However, adding fats can change the equation very quickly, if you have a big cheese sandwich, knob of butter on your potato (or have chips), or make a rich cream sauce for the pasta you will increase the amount of fat you are eating.

6. Alcohol taken in moderation can be beneficial to health, but if you are watching your weight it is relevant to know that the calories from alcohol cannot be used as fuel for exercise, nor do they provide any vitamins, minerals or fibre.

7. The butter vs margarine debate continues. The best advice is not to eat much of either.The best oil for cooking is Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Small amounts only.

8. Dairy products are a high source of fat and cholesterol, BUT they do provide us with other beneficial nutrients. The best approach is to buy “low fat” versions of milk, cheese, yogurt etc. as they will provide you with all the nutrients without the fat element.

9. It is not necessary to cut meat out of your diet. Buy  leaner cuts and trim off any fat. It is also recommended to eat oily fish (tuna, salmon) at least three times a week as they contain the beneficial Omega 3 oil.

10. Finally, whoever said “a little of what you fancy does you good” was probably right – exercise moderation in all things and you can’t go too far wrong.

Happy eating.