Surrey nutritionist urges people to avoid short term diets
Surrey Nutritionist Clare Stott is offering her advice for those looking to make food related changes as new year's resolutions
As 2026 kicks off, like every year, some people look to make new years resolutions and make positive changes to their lifestyle.
A common theme for these resolutions is food related, whether that's eating more of the good, or eating less of the bad, or in many cases both.
However, Surrey nutritionist Clare Stott, told us that she personally doesn't like the word 'diet'
Her reasoning being that she believes food related changes need to be gradual and long-term, whereas the word diet implies an intense fast and change
"It's one of the first things I say to individuals on 1st meeting them. This is not a diet, it's a lifestyle change. It's a long term lifestyle shift as opposed to even a plan because even a plan suggests it has a kind of start and end point."
Clare emphasised the point of small gradual changes being the way to go, rather than big sudden changes over a short period
"Exactly that. Not trying to go over everything at once, starting with one or two small changes, small additions or removing particular areas. May that be additional sugars or alcohol, for example."
Claire also told us about a common mistake that she sees people make regarding breakfast
"Lots of people just take breakfast out and think, oh, that's great, I've, you know, removed a meal there. That's certainly X amount of calories or energy removed from my diet. Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, certainly from a protein perspective.
Our body does all its reset regeneration overnight, so that import that first meal of the day is really, really important and and often will be the set up or the trigger for how the rest of the day then develops.
So if we get breakfast right and we get our protein and our fibres, then we're more likely to stay on track with the right kind of foods throughout the rest of that day."
Claire offered some practical advice and first steps for those considering making a change in their eating habits going into 2026
"It's all about all about the planning. It sounds very simple. It sounds almost a bit boring. But if you plan correctly, if you plan your meals, if you're looking ahead for your week, you will be far more accountable to yourself.
I always say to people there are no foods that are off limits. This isn't about a negative mindset. It's not about punishment, it's not about restriction.
If we get into negative mindsets, we tend to find it's not sustainable if we're in positive mindsets with realistic goals, then it tends to stick and it tends to be much more successful."