This week, you may be delighted to hear that you won't be regaled with what to eat and what not to eat.

Hey, let's all relax, take a step back and chill out.

Perhaps we are getting a tad obsessive we shop to drop, work-out to burn out and compete to defeat.

Similar behaviour can applied to food as we weight-watch, calorie-count and keep hunting for that magic elixir.

Yet a Buddhist recently told me that the key to happiness is to "let go ". I must give it a try. This week (and this week only) you can eat what you like and I won't give a tutti frutti.

Let 's find out what a nutritional therapist (aka clinical nutritionist) actually does.

We realise that most of today's health problems are based on underlying biochemical problems caused by the food we are eating, allergies, addictions, stress, lifestyle, toxins or bugs.

However, there is much we can do to promote health and prevent disease. Nutrition works on a cellular level, providing key ingredients needed to build a stronger, more efficient and resilient body.

It is unrealistic to expect long- term health without high-quality, fresh, raw materials that provide the ingredients for health. But these can be hard to find.

We also accept that the introduction and interaction of synthetic chemicals is bound to affect our mental and physical well-being.

A nutritionist will discuss these issues as well as the inter-relatedness of bodily systems, the biochemical uniqueness of each person and important role of the environment.

How an individual deals with toxic exposure depends not only on their genes but current state of health. It is our job to find out where potential problems lie and provide a strategy with practical guidelines on how to enhance immunity, intellect, improve digestion and protect from pollution and stress.

In some cases, lab tests are used to uncover causes of many acute and chronic symptoms, enabling therapists to tailor treatment to each client.

Consistency and commitment are major determining factors for success and, when clients understand the reasoning behind nutritional programme, improvements are seen within a shortspace of time.

To find a nutritional therapist in your area, contact The Institute for Optimum Nutrition in Putney on 020 8877 9993. It offers an intensive three-year diploma course for clinical nutritionists.

The new Clinical Nutrition College in Bracknell provides a two-year diploma and a one-year Dietary Educators Certificate (01344 360033).

I refuse to nag you this week, so here is another simple instruction from Buddha: "We do not possess our home, our children, or even our own body. They are only given to us for a short while to treat with care and respect."