I'm 54 years old. I have a flat abdomen in the mornings but I bloat as soon as I eat, making me look pregnant by the evening. I'm a fitness instructor and I eat heathly. If I give up vegtables, which I eat a lot, that's not good. Or would I be better giving up dairy? And if so, what type of dairy?

During and after the menopause, lower levels of oestrogen can have an effect on metabolising carbohydrates which can cause bloating, or weight gain, or constipation.

I would suggest cutting your carbohydrates right down for a few weeks to see if this helps but do continue to eat plenty of vegtables and fruit, but reduce carby vegtables such as root vegtables as well, including potatoes.

Have a read up on the 'Low GL' Diet or the 'Paleo Diet' for more info.

Low friendly bacteria can also cause bloating, especially if you have had antibiotics recently.

You may find Molkosan Vitality helpful as this is traditionally used for bloating.

However, any bloating that has been going on for more than 2 weeks should be checked out by your doctor as well.

Eileen Durward