If only chocolate tasted like celery, I'd be a size zero and probably a whole load richer than I am now! I don't know what it is but even talking about that dark rich warm sweetness melting on my tongue seems to cheer me up - and make me feel ten times fatter!

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The problem is if chocolate stopped tasting nice, then what would I do to comfort myself after a bad day with the boys or a row with my husband?

Scientists may come up with genetic links to explain obesity and nutritionists may conjure up all sorts of fancy diets and dietary aid pills. But, to my mind, the real answer is simple: they need to come up with a calorie-free confectionery that still tastes and feels like chocolate. (I'm sorry but most current low-calorie options still add up to quite a high high calorie intake after you've had two or three!) And, if they can do that, they've also got a sure-fire recipe for becoming a millionnaire overnight.

In the meantime, a friend has suggested I try hypnotherapy to kid myself that chocolate doesn't taste like chocolate. And, who knows, if it works I might try using it to persuade myself that my husband really does look like Brad Pitt!