I have heard conflicting advice about the importance of eating fruit before a meal.

I have heard that eating fruit after a meal causes the food to ferment, which in turn causes bloating, or gas.

Can someone clarify for me if this is so?

Marg Christensen

Canberra, Australia

When I eat certain cheeses (especially strong cheddar and old gouda), immediately after swallowing and before it reaches my stomach I get a strange sensation on my upper cheeks.

I feel a tingle and if i go for a second mouthful I get the sensation of sweating and very fine beads of sweat appear.

Why does it happen? Is it a tyramine response? Why is it so localised? - the location reminds me of a picture from an old anatomy textbook that described the position of the sensors on the face responsible for initiating the dive reflex.

Eating a roast beef and mustard sandwich is one of life's simple pleasures* - except for when the mustard flavour seems to go up your nose to create a horrible burning sensation! 

I get the same effect from horseradish too - but nothing else causes this when I eat - it is unique to those two condiments...and can be almost painful!

Can anyone explain what is happening here?

* apologies to vegetarians - cheese and mustard/horseradish instead?

I am forever being told at meal times to turn my fork around so the prongs point down. Although I can see it looks a bit better surely there is a curve in the fork to help the food stay on the fork better? Would it not make more sense to hold the fork the other way up?