The Fast Diet by Dr Michael Mosley and Mimi Spencer

I recently happened to watch dietitian Matt O’Neill comment on the new Fast Diet (aka the 5:2 Diet) on morning TV. It caught my attention not only for Matt’s usual easy-to-grasp explanation but also for the book’s simplicity and lack of a set ‘diet formula’. So when I received a copy in the post, I thought it was time for a review. 

At Foodwatch we take product reviewing very seriously. Our readers rely on the fact that we “say it like it is” without fear or favour. Catherine reviews many products as they come to her attention via readers or at the supermarket or food store. That is, she chooses to review them. However, if you have a product you would like Catherine to review, you can request a review.

Too tired to cook? Too busy to shop? Need to lose weight? Busy lifestyles often leave little time to shop, cook and eat the right meals for weight loss. Take-aways are quick and easy but they're no good for your waistline. Are home-delivered diet meals a better option for you? We put one lot to the test ...

Wondering how much fat is in that recipe? Or whether something is gluten-free? Or ok for your partner on a low-salt diet? Here's how we classify the recipes on the Foodwatch site in terms of nutrition. Check out the fat, saturated fat, kilojoules, fibre, GI, carbs, protein ... and allergy listings.

In New Zealand you'll soon find the Weight Watchers logo on McDonald's menu boards and tray mats, a great irony considering the many warnings about the obesity-inducing effects of fast food in general with its greasy offerings that are notoriously high in saturated fat, high in salt and lacking vegetables or fibre.

Stevia is a new sweetener that extracted from a plant yet has no kilojoules/calories, does not increase blood glucose levels and does not cause tooth decay. It is 250 to 300 times sweeter than cane sugar but tastes similar - certainly better than the older sweeteners like saccharin or cyclamate with their bitter metallic after-taste.

Trying to eat light and cut back on sugar? Then watch what you drink. Soft drinks, juices, flavoured mineral waters, fruit-based drinks and sports drinks are the major source of sugar, according to CSIRO who analysed the Australian diet for sugar intake. Collectively these drinks supply 30 per cent of the added sugar adults consume but as much as 47 per cent in teenage boys who have a sweet tooth and are the biggest consumers of sugar.

Losing weight is never easy. It takes time, patience and know-how. Food and exercise aside, there are things you can do to make it easier for you to get into a 'weight loss mode'.  Some are simply bad habits; others are how you view your world.  If you can adopt these 7 simple diet secrets, you're on the way to better eating habits and a healthier shape.