Happy days, summer is just around the corner. But hold on, the thought of slipping into a swimming cosie and hitting the beach is not such a fun thought.

If you're struggling to kick start that diet and ween yourself off your favourite naughty treats, don't panic. You're not alone.

Slimming experts Weight Watchers say 8.30pm is the peak time when the UK's dieters log on to their 24/7 service Expert Chat for advice.

They shared with us the answers to some of their most common diet questions.

Why does fresh orange juice have more sugar and calories than an orange?


Juicing fruit removes most of the fibre, which helps fill you up meaning you could drink a lot of juice in one glass - for example you could juice eight oranges and drink that in one go, whereas you’d be unlikely to eat 8 whole oranges in one sitting. So one glass of juice could potentially be far higher in calories and sugar, and far lower in fibre, than the whole fruit.

Orange juice isn't as healthy as you think! (
Image:
Getty)

How big is a standard recommended portion of cheese?

A 30g portion of a hard cheese, like cheddar, is roughly the size of your thumb.

I am going out for a curry at the weekend. What's the best thing to order to stay healthy?

If you’re looking to avoid hidden butter, cream and oil, choose a dry chicken or fish dish like Tikka (without the masala) or one that comes with plenty of veg, like a dopiaza.

Opt for plain boiled rice over pilau, or better still, a side of spinach (sag) or okra (bhindi). Naan bread is often glazed in sugar and oil, so choose a plain chapatti or a tandoori roti instead.

Why should I eat 5 fruits and vegetables a day?

Eating 5 a day is based on advice from the World Health Organization, which recommends eating a minimum of 400g of fruit and vegetables a day to lower the risk of serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, bowel cancer, type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Fruit and vegetables are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamin C and potassium. Part of a balanced diet they are also an excellent source of dietary fibre helping to maintain a healthy gut.

Fruit and vegetables are also usually low in fat and calories (provided you don't fry them or roast them in lots of oil). That's why eating them can help you maintain a healthy weight and keep your heart healthy.

Eating a lot of fruit and veg is the key to a healthy diet. (
Image:
Getty)

I usually have dinner early with my children at 5pm but then feel hungry later in the evening. What would you suggest?

Make sure that your meal at tea time is full of filling & healthy vegetables, with plenty of lean protein, to help fill you up. And if you can make your rice or pasta the wholegrain variety you’ll stay fuller for longer too.

Plan in a healthy snack for later in the evening – a yogurt with some fruit, for example, or some vegetable sticks with low fat houmous, so you’re less likely to be reaching for the biscuit tin.

I am going on holiday to Spain next month, what is the best way to ensure I don’t gain back all the weightI have lost?

Whilst it’s nice to be able to relax your healthy eating regime while you’re on holiday, it’s still a good idea to keep your eye on things if you don’t want to feel disappointed when you get home.

Enjoy the delicious local food on offer, but make choices at each mealtime: ask yourself if you need a pud as well as a starter, or if you’d rather have wine than a side of chips.

Plan to do some extra activity every day, to compensate for any extra indulgences like a glass or two of sangria or an ice cream; a daily walk on the beach or a few laps of the pool each morning could make all the difference on the scales at your next weigh-in.

Pack a belt, and put it on half way through your holiday. If it needs letting out a notch, you’ll know it’s time to reign yourself back in!

I am organising a girl’s night in; any suggestions on some lovely snacks that I can serve?

Get creative! Make some healthy dips using natural Greek yogurt or low fat soft cheese & fresh herbs, or zingy salsas using fresh tomatoes, coriander, chilli & lime zest. Serve with wholemeal pitta fingers or carrot & cucumber sticks.

Pop your own corn and sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg or curry powder for a spicy twist.

For a sweet treat, make up some sugar free jelly using diet lemonade instead of half the water. Put some fresh raspberries in the bottom a wine glass and pour the jelly over the top to set.

Make a fruit salsa dip by chopping grapes, strawberries & kiwi fruit and mixing with fresh chopped mint. Cut some soft tortilla wraps into triangles, spray with oil, sprinkle with sweetener and cinnamon and bake in the oven for 5 minutes until crisp and golden.

Invite some raspberries to the party

Why does my weight differ through the day?

Body weight fluctuates over time, and it’s normal to see variations over the course of one day. So, if you normally weigh without clothes, first thing in the morning (in the privacy of your own home, of course!) then switch to weighing in the evening, fully clothed, don’t be shocked or disheartened if the numbers don’t match.

Similarly, if you weigh every day, you may find that some days you weigh heavier, and other days lighter. This can usually be put down to fluid retention, constipation, or hormonal changes – rarely is it a genuine increase in body fat.

Weighing yourself consistently and tracking your weight over time, will give you an accurate picture of how well you are maintaining your weight loss.

I did a lot of exercise this week but I weigh more – what have I done wrong?

Getting active will not on its own make you gain weight. Muscle does not weigh more than fat: a pound of muscle weighs just the same as a pound of fat. To develop muscle to the extent that it makes you heavier would take a great deal of work – like training for the Olympics. ·

Getting active should boost healthy weight loss, but it’s very common for us to overestimate activity levels and then over-compensate with extra food. Check that you haven’t been unknowingly doing this; it’s normal to build up an appetite while increasing activity, but if you’re eating more calories than you burned, your weight loss will be affected.

To find out more about the Weight Watchers visit: www.weightwatchers.co.uk