It is possible to avoid putting on weight over Christmas – just take some advice from Dr Michael Mosley, writes Maria Lally

Fasting and the festive season don’t appear to be obvious bedfellows, but according to Dr Michael Mosley, the 62-year-old creator of the 5: 2 diet, it’s just about possible.

“First and foremost, the festive break is about togetherness, rejuvenation and joy,” he says. “That should be the guiding premise. But the all-too-well-known holiday cycle of overindulging, needing a nap, then waking up to start all over again suggests that it would be unwise to ignore the fact that overindulging is often followed by discomfort and guilt.

“The key thing about my approach to diet is not that it is not so much about deprivation. I am not an absolutist or a killjoy, so I recommend you plan to have fun and enjoy the choices you make. Zero tolerance will create frustration and distress. Be comfortable with your choices and compromises. Here are the questions I get asked most often in the lead-up to Christmas.”