Health guru Michael Mosley has explained which lunch favourites to avoid when trying to lose weight - and suggested some healthier alternatives.

The founder of the Fast 800 diet, explained eating a healthy lunch is vital for keeping your metabolism "fired up and burning calories" throughout the day.

He says there are foods you should avoid eating at lunchtime if you want to have the best chance of keeping your energy levels high for the afternoon.

In an article on his Fast 800 website, Dr Mosley said: "Eating a good lunch will help keep your metabolism fired up and burning calories throughout the day, and should keep you full all the way through to your evening meal, avoiding the need for snacking.

"A low-carb lunch, which is rich in protein and healthy fats, will also help to ensure your brain is working efficiently and that your stress levels are kept steady, avoiding that horrid 'hangry' feeling."

He urged people to avoid traditional lunch favourites such as pasta salad, sandwiches, and crisps as they "spike blood sugars" and can end up making you feel worse as the afternoon goes on.

What Michael Mosley suggests instead:

Dr Mosley suggested making a healthy lunch out of dinner leftovers from the night before to eat well with little effort.

He added: "While pasta salads, sandwiches, beans on toast, and crisps are all common go-to's, they actually spike our blood sugars which give up a 'crash' or 'dip' in the afternoon.

"Carbohydrates can be a helpful source of energy for your body. When we consume quality carbohydrates, like whole wheat, beans, and certain fruits and vegetables, our body burns the glucose (sugar) from carbohydrates as its primary source of energy.

"However, if we consume too many carbohydrates, or rely on complex carbohydrates like white bread, that excess glucose spikes blood sugars and is stored as fat in the body.

"Low-carbohydrate diets have been shown to reduce appetite better than a low-fat diet. Studies suggest that a low-carb diet results in the consumption of far fewer calories in general, potentially as a result of a reduction in snack cravings later in the day.

"Furthermore, low-carb diets can lead to more weight loss, and particularly assist with the loss of visceral fat (a dangerous type of fat which wraps around internal abdominal organs).

"Not only that, but opting for low-carb lunch ideas can help to reduce your risk of various illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and some brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer's."