Cutting down, or cutting out, is difficult despite all of our best intentions at this time of year as hunger pangs strike.

The key to beating those urges, Mitchell says, is actually to keep snacking – just make sure you are snacking on the right foods and doing so in a controlled way.

“Sticking to those regular meal times is key,” he re-iterates. “I’m a big believer in snacking so, for example, you’ll have your breakfast and then a bit of fruit mid-morning.

If you don’t keep putting a little bit in the system, then you’re blood sugars will drop and that’s when you start craving those biscuits

“What you have to do is distribute those foods throughout the day rather than just having them as additions when you feel you need them.

“I find it works. It works for me and it works for the people I advise – just to have that little and often.

“If you are trying to cut down a bit and you don’t keep putting a little bit in the system then you’re blood sugars will drop and that’s when you start craving those biscuits mid-afternoon.”