Even women who have never had a problem with weight gain throughout their lives can find themselves putting it on during their 40s.
By the end of the decade, the perimenopause, which is the phase leading up to the menopause, often begins and hormonal changes can put inches on your waist and bust.
Energy levels may take a dip, too.
For your weight and energy level Avoid high-sugar foods and added sugar.
Sugar contains no good nutrients and can cause artificial dips and highs in energy, as well as being addictive.
Cut right back on alcohol, which has a similar effect to sugar.
Go for low-GI foods, such as pulses and vegetables/ to help keep your midriff slim and avoid those dips in energy levels.
Eat good-quality complex carbohydrate such as wholegrains and sweet potato, but in moderate amounts only.
Eat foods rich in vitamin B group - for example, pulses, wholegrains, and lean meat - to help energy conversion and calorie burnning.
Eat low-fat calcium-rich dairy foods, which have been shown to help burn caloriec.
Here's an example of a typical day's eating..
Breakfast - medium bowl of low-fat natural yogurt, with All Bran and some chopped apple.
Lunch - 1 large bowl of vegetable and lentil soup; slice of wholegrain bread; handful of mixed almonds and sunflower seeds.
Supper - 150g (5oz) lean roast beef or steak; 1 medium sweet potato, baked; large selection (250g/8oz in all) of steamed green vegetables, eg, cabbage, spinach, sprouts, broccoli.
Snacks - small piece of cheddar cheese; carrot sticks; handful of fresh nuts.