First of all, remember that all kinds of unhealthy foods are being marketed to us relentlessly, so tip number one: don't beat yourself up about it.

Somewhere along the line, food went from being something that physically sustains us, to being something that can be used to deal with other difficult emotions. When the urge to overeat takes hold, the first thing to do is to stop, take a deep breath, and consider why you really want to eat. Are you truly hungry? Bored? Finding it tough that day? Habitually eating a chocolate bar every night and not enjoying it anymore, feeling terribly guilty afterwards?

If you stop and decide that you really are hungry and your body needs some fuel to get energised, go ahead and eat something that is healthy and will give you that boost without the guilt. If, however, you still want to reach for that chocolate bar, or biscuit, or bag of crisps, it's a clear signal that you're using that food to deal with something else. Be honest with yourself. That's the first step to dealing with the habit of self-comforting through food.

Write down your feelings. Just grab your phone or a notebook and jot down the time, what you want to eat, and how you're feeling. Write down your nutritional goals again. Every time that urge hits, stop and do the same thing. See whether there is a pattern. Is the urge still as strong after you've done that? Do you feel a stronger resolve? Are you finding it difficult to write down how you’re feeling? Give it a go. The simple act of stopping the habit in it's tracks may well work wonders.