The answer is...yoghurt.

Apparently, the average person puts on three pounds over Christmas and New Year. So with dieting firmly at the forefront of many a conversation, I'd like to report that I've just finished reading "French Women Don't Get Fat" by Mireille Guiliano who, as President and CEO of Veuve Clicquot, drinks Champagne on a daily basis (well someone has to) and remains slim and sylph-like. She  confesses that it wasn't always so, but her secret weapon is natural, unsweetened yoghurt. Actually, that's a very simplified version of her advice and the sub-title of the book "Eating for Pleasure" indicates the real message. Instead of miserable self-denial, it's more a case of learning to enjoy food and savour every morsel, taking time to appreciate the flavours and textures instead of bolting down something while on the move. And you snack on the yoghurt to stave off any inconvenient hunger pangs. Girls - it's worth a try!