Q: "I have recently started a new job, which involves working night shifts. I need to lose weight, but how can I do this on night shifts?"

A: Dietitian Liz Munn replies:

“Shift work certainly increases the degree of difficulty, but don’t despair – you’ll need to be a bit more organised than a day-shift dieter, but with some planning, you can do it. Listen to your body and work out a meal (and exercise) routine that works with your shifts, and when you’re really hungry. You may prefer your main meal before work, or after – it’s the total number of kilojoules you eat, not so much when you eat them – but keep in mind that eating immediately before bed can spell poor sleep, so keep it light and balanced. Plan ahead so you always have healthy snacks on hand – don’t resort to the vending machine. And make an appointment with a dietitian to work out a tailored lifestyle plan.”