But would you join the growing ranks of women spending up to £400 a month on personal food shoppers (PFSs) to help 'manage their weight'?

'Women are utterly confused about what we should and shouldn't be eating,' says nutritionist Vicki Edgson.

'What we don't realise is that by repeatedly trying fad diets we're damaging our metabolism. This increases the chance of putting on weight and raises the risk of serious long-term illness such as diabetes and kidney disease.'

Linda Kaur, 33, a Leeds-based management consultant, believes having a personal food shopper has changed her life in just six weeks.

'It's not unusual for me to work 14-hour days then take work home,' she says.

'I was stressed and, although underweight, I'd noticed a layer of fat accumulate on my belly and couldn't understand why.'

According to Mark Hughes, a personal trainer and sports scientist who Linda employs to shop for her, she was eating so little that her metabolism had decelerated and her muscle mass declined.

Skipping breakfast, she'd spot a croissant in the office and eat it for a quick burst of energy then resort to the comfort of chocolate by the time her stress levels had reached a climax towards the end of the day. All that sugar was causing her to store fat around her waist.

'When Mark said I needed to up my calories from 1,300 to 2,000, I was daunted,' says Linda.

'But he gives me recipes that make it seem less overwhelming.

'Sunday and Wednesday evenings are cooking nights, when I'll make batches of Thai curry or stir-fried prawns with buckwheat noodles ready for suppers.

'Having fresh eggs and smoked salmon also means it's much easier to make a quick protein-packed omelette before work.'

Linda adds: 'The biggest help was having Mark take me around the shops near work one lunchtime to steer me away from the sandwiches I'd been grabbing.

'Together we found delis where I get my choice of salad with quinoa or soup.

'Then I'll keep Mark's chickpea guacamole in the office fridge or sprinkle cinnamon into a small pot of Greek yogurt for a quick snack that lifts my energy and balances my blood sugar. I've noticed that since eating these types of food, I've felt more level-headed.

'Included in each shop are a couple of Mark's homemade protein smoothies that I keep in the fridge between his deliveries.

'Having a personal food shopper can cost £365 for six deliveries, and that's not including the cost of the food, but it's worth it even for a short period if it helps you kick-start a new way of eating.

'What works for one woman might not work for the next, but my plan is tailored towards me and my lifestyle.

Read the Full Article...