Britons shunning New Year dieting

Most people know what foods should be in their diets

This may be the prime time for dieting, but a survey suggests Britons are shunning trendy weight loss plans.

A Marks and Spencer poll of 1,000 people found the number opting for balanced meals instead has risen by around a fifth in five years.

In 2000, 50% claimed to eat well and one in five was on a diet, but now two thirds eat a balanced diet - and only 7% opt for strict dietary regimes.

Dieticians welcomed the move away from faddy eating habits.

They said a balanced diet and exercise plan was the best way to lose weight.

Gym 'abandoned'

The Marks and Spencer survey revealed that one in five give up a diet after just a month and 9% can only manage a week.

For a long time we've been saying that instead of dieting the emphasis should be on healthy eating and lifestyle Jackie Lowdon, British Dietetic Association

And while gym memberships may soar every January, the poll found that more than half would rather do a hobby or other activity to keep fit.

A third opt for walking or cycling to work, and a fifth would prefer to take the stairs or lift.

And, perhaps thanks to the popularity of the BBC show 'Strictly Come Dancing', one in 10 said they preferred a turn on the dance-floor to traditional keep-fit.

The survey also divided people up according to their eating habits.

Half considered themselves to be "Holistic Hollies" like Madonna, who try to eat healthy food but do not go on diets.

More than a third (38%) were 'Tryhard Trishes' who want to eat healthily but fall off the wagon regularly.

Almost one in 10 were dubbed 'Calorific Callums', because they constantly eat bad food, while just 1% were 'GI Janes' who follow the latest fads, such as the Atkins diet.

'Eat more healthily'

M&S dietician Lyndel Costain said: "People are trying to eat healthily as they are much more aware of how important a balanced diet is for good health.

"There is a definite trend towards a more sustainable way of eating rather than fad diets. Deep down people realise there's no such thing as a quick fix."

Jackie Lowdon, a spokeswoman for the British Dietetic Association, said: "We welcome this research - for a long time we've been saying that instead of dieting the emphasis should be on healthy eating and lifestyle.

"Fad diets often fail but if you change your lifestyle so that you eat more healthily the weight stays off."