'How can I kick my chocolate addiction?'

our online advisors reply:

Thanks for your question, Aidan. It sounds like you are really struggling with your cravings for chocolate. Sometimes when we are really worried about something, we can spend a lot of time focusing on it. It can become an obsession. The more we want to try to stop a habit, the harder it is to beat it.

There are all sorts of reasons why people overeat. It can often be related to feelings of low self-esteem or self-belief, to suppress painful feelings, or because of feeling down, or it could be that you just like certain foods. Everyone is different. It may help to try and work out what your feelings are when you can't overcome your craving. You may feel it would be useful to talk to your doctor about these feelings.

Eating chocolate in itself is not all bad, as our article about chocolate shows, but like anything, it has to be taken in moderation.

You might stand more chance of success if you try and change your chocolate habit gradually. Don't try and cut it out altogether, but try using chocolate as a reward, or a daily treat. If you can, replace chocolate with fruit a few times a day. One recent research trial found that people who limited eating chocolate to within half-an-hour after eating a meal, gradually weaned themselves off their craving. You can read about the research on the National Library of Medicine website.

Changing eating habits takes time and self-control – I'm afraid there are no magic pills. As well as eating healthily it is also a good idea to follow an exercise programme which will burn off excess calories and increase your metabolic rate. Exercise can also make people more positive because when we exercise chemicals called endorphins are released, which can help us feel more relaxed and confident.

I hope this helps.

Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third party sites.