Jane Clarke has revealed how you could lose 6lb in only two weeks - just in time for the start of the party season.

She recommends eating half portions, drinking 2.5 litres of water a day, skipping alcohol and concentrating on fresh fruit and vegetables.

Read more about Jane's pre-Christmas diet, together with recipes, here and her answers to your questions below.

As I have to drive to the shops, for environmental reasons I try to do it just once a week. Thus green vegetables, for example, can have been harvested a week or two before eating, especially if they have been imported. Are frozen vegetables, which are frozen soon after gathering, more nutritious? What reasonable fridge/pantry life do root vegetables and cabbages have? And is steaming preferable to microwaving vegetables? Joan Heath, Penn, Berkshire

You seem to be a very conscientious shopper, which is good to see. Re frozen vegetables, yes, they can have more nutrients like vitamin C in, but sometimes the freezing makes them a little soggy on cooking and I wouldn’t let the fact that green and root vegetables may have been out of the ground a couple of weeks or so, stop you from eating them - they still contain some vitamins and minerals and indeed plenty of useful fibre. Steaming and microwaving to me are equal - they’re both good ways to ensure you still retain a lot of nutrients in the food.

I have had two children in two years, the youngest being eight months old. Although I remained fit during both pregnancies and put on only 9kg for each pregnancy, I have not mangaed to shake off the excess weight of the second, and have accumulated fat on my hips and bottom. Can you advise me? C. Subirana, London

I do think that the little black dress diet would be perfect for you to follow - even if you’re not planning on going to such a party. Good luck!

I am 52 years of age, going through the menopause and have ME. I have naturally put on a few pounds since entering the menopause, but because of the ME I am having problems exercising (I am aware that a little exercise is good for ME, but I find that it makes it worse). I am not much overweight for my height, but I feel uncomfortable with the extra pounds and I have always been naturally slim. I would love to lose around 5 pounds and feel a bit lighter. I try to eat lots of vegetables and eat quite healthily generally - with no fast food, chips etc, but diets usually include an exercise regime, which I am unable to do. Carrie Walton, Biggleswade

As with the previous reader, I think it would be a good idea to try the LBD diet for a couple of weeks. Even if you don’t manage to stick to the diet fully, it will give you some great ideas for meals that will help you lose the excess weight. Although I am not an exercise expert, I have had patients with ME who have got on well with pilates and yoga, as although they don’t increase your metabolic rate much, they can be great at improving muscle structure, and also can produce some endorphins, which can boost energy and motivation levels.

I am male, 60 yrs old, been retired three years. Since Feb 2005 I have been on a "healthy living plan”. I walk the dog for two and a half miles a day, swim at least half a mile every weekday, cut out beer and bread and have gone from 15st 4lb to 13st 9lb. According to an online slimming club I just looked at, they say with a height of 5ft 10in I should lose another 29lb. I thought that getting down to 13st by Feb 2006 would be ideal but not according to their guide - any suggestions? William Long, Tunbridge Wells

I think you know your body better than any table - remember that tables are only really meant to be a guide. I think you should stick to your target, as this sounds a sensible weight loss, then see how you feel in February - you might be perfectly happy to stick at 13 stones, or may want to shift some more. I think what’s important is setting small achievable goals - remember that online slimming clubs want you to set a big target, as this will mean you have to look at their site more often. Good luck!

I find that since I've had my gall bladder removed, if I eat the recommended amount of fruit and veg it just runs through me. I am fairly immobile from spinal surgeries and would love to lose weight, but find it very difficult to get a balanced, healthy diet that I can tolerate, and end up going back to buttered toast and potatoes. Anna Fitzpatrick, Leamington Spa, Warwicks