Cholesterol is often seen as a dietary bad guy – and fairly so. Too much of the wrong type sloshing around inside is a massive risk to our heart health.

As a dietician in a busy hospital, I see first-hand the devastating effects of raised cholesterol. A third of all deaths are caused by cardiovascular disease and it is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke and other debilitating conditions such as angina. Much of my job is trying to help patients lower their levels through diet and I know how confusing it all can be.

In February, the humble egg was finally exonerated after decades of being unfairly linked to raised cholesterol. Many authorities had recommended we consume no more than three eggs a week – but scientists from the University of Surrey, in a review of existing data, found that eating them had an ‘insignificant’ effect on cholesterol levels.

Hearty meal: Eat small portions of lean meat with at least three steamed vegetables for a healthier Sunday roast

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On Christmas Day the average person gobbles up 7,000 calories – a frightening prospect when experts say women should consume no more than 2,000 calories a day and men 2,500 to stay healthy.

Here, with the help of the British Nutrition Foundation and the British Dietetic Association, we show you how to trim your festive calories without upsetting your taste buds (too much!).

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It’s not just what you eat that can pack on the pounds. It’s also how you eat. It seems it pays to be the last person to finish a meal, even if it drives the rest of your dining companions crazy.

According to a study published last week in the British Medical Journal, people who wolf down their meal and eat until they’re full are three times more likely to be overweight than those who eat slowly and modestly.

Eating slowly is often advised for weight loss because slower eating allows appetite-related hormones to kick in and tell your brain you’ve had enough before you overeat.

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Every Tuesday, Britain’s leading nutritionist explains how to eat your way to health. This week Jane explains why we need to get in touch with savouring our food…

Pop into your local supermarket and you’ll see plenty of people studying the labels to gauge which food is the healthiest, lowest in fat or least calorific.

But I think they’re missing the point.

In theory, the traffic light warnings on food and GDAs (guideline daily amounts) help people make healthy choices by flagging up the fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt content.

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One in 10 parents actually believe Jaffa cakes count towards fruit and vegetable portions, according to a shocking new survey.

Many parents believe snacks such as Jaffa cakes count as part of the five-a-day.

But one in 20 do not know real oranges count as part of the five-a-day, the poll revealed.

Cola, spaghetti hoops and fruit-flavoured sweets are also mistakenly believed to contribute to the government guideline for fruit and vegetables.

Only a fifth of children reached the five-a-day standard every day.

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Many parents overlook their child’s unhealthy weight because they believe it is normal, research suggests.

Data on 2,100 Australian children found 40% of parents with an overweight or underweight child had not spotted this.

Among children, the underweight were more likely to think of themselves as average than the overweight.

The University of Melbourne researchers said parents would not act to help their children gain or lose weight if they did not see the problem.

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According to researchers, a big breakfast packed with protein, carbs – and even something sweet – can lead to weight loss.

It seems there’s truth to the proverb “breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper.” At least when it comes to losing weight.

According to researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va., starting the day with a big breakfast packed with protein – and yes, carbohydrates – can lead to significant weight loss.

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Dieting really could be a question of mind over matter, if scientists are to be believed.

It may be possible to “think” yourself thin simply by focusing on a recent meal instead of reaching out for the next bar of chocolate or savoury snack.

A “mind over munchies” study suggests that thinking about a previous breakfast, lunch or dinner can suppress the appetite and prevent weight gain.
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Breakfast really could be the most important meal of the day when it comes to losing weight, claims a researcher.

Over several months, obese women who ate half their daily calories first thing fared better than those eating a much smaller amount.

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More than four million Britons will be hit by a “diabetes explosion” by 2025, mostly fuelled by the obesity crisis.

Unhealthy diets and a lack of exercise will lead to the crisis, according to the charity Diabetes UK.

New figures suggest that by 2025 there will be 3.6 million people suffering from the condition in England – 6.5% of the population.

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