On the whole, people become less physically active the older they get.
This means that their calorific needs are less and that they should eat less food.
It is never a good idea to eat too few calories, however, as eating actually raises the metabolic rate to burn it off as fuel.
Skipping meals is a very bad idea too as it slows down the metabolism and can cause you to eat more at the next meal.
It is true that what you don't burn you can store as fat, but if the food is healthy and nutrient-dense, it will be used up for needs other than fuel, such as structure, brain function, the production of hormones and antibodies, skin healing, neurotransmitters and as anti-inflammatory agents.
Good food, little and often can keep your body at its most efficient and will sustain blood sugar levels and energy production.
This will keep cravings at bay and encourage exercise.
We all have a basal metabolic rate [BMR], which is the number of calories your body burns each day just to stay alive.
Many calorie burning activities go unseen, such as heart function, detoxification, tissue repair and healing, maintaining the structure of bones and teeth, digestion and immune function.
Many women find that they put on weight during and after the menopause and become more pear-shaped.
This is because of declining oestrogen and progesterone levels.
It is important to remember that after the ovaries stop producing oestrogen, the body's main source of oestrogen is fat cells, which emphasizes the importance of including beneficial fats in the diet.
Fat cells do not produce progesterone, however, and weight gain on the hips, bottom and thighs can occur when the ratio of oestrogen to progesterone is too high.
Increasing exercise and avoiding sugar, refined carbohydrates (like biscuits and white bread), stimulants like tea and coffee, as well as reducing meat and dairy intake and eating more wholefoods such as brown rice, beans and pulses can help with the removal of excess oestrogen and restore balance.