“Surround yourself with whole foods such as nuts, fruits, vegetables, healthy oils, unrefined grains, pulses and moderate amounts of quality meats if you wish. Avoid meals and snacks that are factory-produced, or buy them sparingly,” says Professor Raubenheimer.

“That way, we can expose the amazing appetite systems we share with other species to a food environment in which they are able to work their magic and lead us to a balanced diet.

“Let your brain ensure that your pantry and fridge are stocked with good, wholesome foods; then let your appetites do the rest,” he adds.

2. Aim for balance

 “Ultimately, there are endless ways to achieve a nutritionally balanced diet,” says Professor Simpson.

“Various nutritional philosophies slugging it out today can provide healthy eating or can be misused to do the opposite.

“What they all have in common, is reducing or cutting out highly processed foods, rich in sugar, fat and salt and poor in fibre and nutrients

“Unless there are specific medical reasons, you don’t need to cut out any food group or eat things that you don’t like, or that are not appropriate to your food culture. It’s just an issue of proportions.”

3. Make it a habit

Professor Raubenheimer adds that before long, eating an enjoyable healthy diet will become automatic.

“It’s like learning a sport, to play a musical instrument, or to drive an automobile: at first it takes concentration, consciously applying rules, rehearsing them, and unlearning bad habits. And then it becomes second nature,” he says.

“Or, in the case of healthy diets, perhaps we should consider this first nature: creatures from slime moulds to baboons have been doing it for millions of years before numbers, formulas, sports, music, and automobiles were even invented.”