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Ah, bloating – the ultimate mood killer. One minute you’re a-okay; the next, you suddenly feel (and look) like you’ve just finished a 12-course degustation meal. And you haven’t even touched lunch yet.
Although it feels like the work of the devil, bloating is usually caused by a build-up of gases that are produced when we eat and drink. It can also occur during your period, or as a symptom of conditions such as lactose intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome.
Unfortunately, bloating from time to time is just a fact of life for most women - two thirds of us, apparently - and there's no magic tool to deflate a swollen, sore stomach. However, certain foods can help to relieve the discomfort, so it's worth knowing which ones to stock up on.
We asked Teresa Cutter, one of Australia's leading authorities on healthy cooking and founder of The Healthy Chef, to give us a run down.