And if that's not bad news enough, fad diets also increase appetite and cravings. This is because when your body is in starvation mode it tries to trick you into eating, by intensifying your cravings. Therefore, every time you reduce your food intake, your brain immediately switches on hormones that make you want to eat more while the hormones that usually make you feel full, decrease. And this is why when you go off a fad diet - you fly off it with a vengeance - no crumb spared!

And did you know, your brain has a food memory and when you get hungry you trigger your food memory. Creating a craving for the foods that you ate the last time you felt upset? That's why, when I feel stressed, I always crave ice cream; because in past stressful situations I've attacked the cookies 'n' cream with a soup ladle! Therefore, considering that during a fad diet your body is in a constant state of stress, it's no wonder we end up falling off the diet wagon.

Phat solution: Appetite Bootcamp.

Appetite Bootcamp will help you control the cravings and join the long-term path to healthy eating.

• Stomp out overeating by eating every three hours adhering to my 3, 2, 1 quick-strip tip. That is, eating three well-portioned healthy home-cooked meals a day, two healthy snacks and at least one litre of water to fire up your metabolism.

• Crunch cravings by eating the right food combinations. Focus the meal on palm-sized portions of protein (fish, chicken, turkey, lean meats, eggs), at least 20 per cent good fats (avocados, raw nuts, flaxseed oils) and binge on salads, fruits (ultimately berries and apples) and vegetables.

• Mind control. Appetite Bootcamp requires you to be mentally tough, this means feeling the difference between hunger and hurt. When hunger strikes take a deep breath, ask yourself if you are hungry or upset? If you are upset address those feelings - don't eat your emotions any longer.

• Sweet tooth training. Exercise has many benefits, but suppressing appetite is one of the best perks. Exercise regulates appetite. If you are lusting for Tim Tams, a 20 to 30-minute brisk walk will make you hunger-proof against their delicious demands.

• Binge time-out. When you are eating everything and anything because your hunger hormones and cravings have been assailed by a fad diet apply the 20-minute binge time-out rule. It takes 20 minutes for your brain to receive the 'I'm full' signal from your stomach. If after 20 minutes you are still hungry go for a five-minute walk.

• Hunger ambush. Often when we feel voraciously hungry, we are actually thirsty and not hungry at all. This is because thirst can be caused by hormones in your stomach; eating food increases the thickness of your blood causing your body to create a need to dilute it. Therefore, if you are more hungry than usual, increase your fluids and you will soon be able to tell if you are dehydrated or hungry. The worst thing you can do to quench your hunger/thirst is to drink soft drinks or alcohol. Instead, take 20 sips of water to quench hunger/thirst. You will find that water is also an appetite suppressant.

• Bootcamp recovery. A good night's sleep is integral to appetite control. Sleep deprivation disrupts hormones that control appetite. In order to restore chemical balance your body will crave sugary foods to give you an instant hit of serotonin that you deprived yourself by lack of sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, exercise is the best way to regulate your clock. Activity increases oxygen in the blood and circulation to wake you up fresh so that by bedtime you sleep soundly.