From Veganuary to Januadry, the post-festive period is when many of us vow to make lifestyle changes.

Some are motivated by ethical or environmental concerns. Others simply want to be able to run for the bus without keeling over.

And others are looking at the last bottle of Baileys bottle still standing from Christmas and thinking, 'Actually, enough is enough'.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of people will find their new diet is unsustainable. Today's inbox contained a survey from Love Fresh Berries and it announced that the average British adult will try 126 fad diets over the course of their lifetime.

The study of 2,000 adults found that in a bid to lose weight quickly, each person will embark on at least two fad diets a year.

The most common ‘quick fix’ methods were revealed as the Atkins Diet, the 5:2 and the Cabbage Soup Diet, while others opted to eliminate key food groups by trying the Keto, South Beach or Juice diets.

Some maniacs - 5% of those surveyed - said they would happily swallow a live tapeworm in the hope that it would help them lose weight.

Unsurprisingly, the typical fad diet is abandoned after an average of just six days.

This blogger would never try to discourage anyone who wanted to lose a few pounds or cut back on the vino.

But the more drastic diets seemed doomed to failure from the start. Guilt, shame and cravings are not the best motivators.

Well-balanced diet

Nick Marston, chairman of Love Fresh Berries, said: 'January tends to be the month when people embark on fad diets as a quick fix.

'However, we know that it isn’t a sustainable or even healthy approach.

'Instead, nutritionists advise that we follow evidence-based nutritional advice and look for a well-balanced diet that does not cut out any food groups.

'Incorporating lots of fruit and vegetables is important, including berries as they have many important nutritional benefits.'

Mr Marston has berries to sell but his recommendation that we follow a well-balanced diet makes a lot of sense to this scribbler.

January is tough enough without subjecting yourself to a culinary punishment regime.

I'm not one for New Year resolutions but, were I have to one with regards to food and drink, it would be to enjoy everything; just maybe a little less of it than the last few weeks.

5pm January Sale

Restaurant visits are still very much on the cards around these parts and 5pm have a selection of January Sale offers which make it much easier on the pocket.

This year's 5pm January Sale means you can dine in your favourite restaurants for £12.

Some offer two courses for £12, other offer three courses and some will even throw in a drink.

Browse the Glasgow offers and these are the Edinburgh offers.

Does that Cabbage Soup Diet still seem quite so appealing?