Afternoon bloating

I wasn't sure where to post this, but it seems like a health thing, so here it is...

I've found that in the afternoon, specifically from around 1:30-6:00, I bloat horribly.  I don't know why.  I'm not getting a crazy amount of fiber or sodium--I'm within normal limits.  Here's what I eat in a typical day:

Breakfast:  Slim Fast Optima and a serving of fruit (usually grapes or a banana, sometimes blueberries or strawberries).

Mid-morning snack:  Serving of fruit and tablespoon of soynut butter (read peanut butter for the nut-allergic--and for my gluten free friends, it's that, too).

Lunch:  Low-fat yogurt, serving of fruit, two tablespoons of soynut butter, and some laughing cow cheese.

Afternoon snack: Serving of fruit.

Dinner (the problem usually has resolved by dinner time):  Lean frozen dinner, light soup, or salad.

Bedtime:  Serving of milk, yogurt, or cheese.

Anyway, that usually lands me around 1200-1400 calories, 20 grams of fiber, and about 1400 mg of sodium.

If anyone has any insight, I'd love to have it!  Oh, and for the record, because I'm sure someone's going to ask, I fill my 16 oz water bottle about three or four times at work and about three more times at home.

I bloat a lot in the afternoon as well.  I find that sometimes it's just because I have to go to the bathroom.  Even if I don't feel like I really have to go, I'll try and see what happens.  It's usually successful and I'm a lot less bloated afterward, even if I don't go a lot.

I'll try tomorrow.  I never thought of that.  Thanks!

it may be all the fruit and dairy. Fruit usually bloats people and are you sure you are not lactose-intolerant?

I would have to say the dairy as well.  I'm no doctor or nutritionist, but lactose is a problem for me, and if I have any, it is usually after lunch when I start bloating uncomfortably.  I generally feel like my torso is going to explode if I cheat and have dairy.

I definately think it's the fruit. If i eat too much fruit, i get a sore stomach, hence the bloating. Maybe just try 2 pieces a day and see how it goes :)

I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. One of the main symptoms is bloating. I happen to have severe bloating. I try to eat 5 to 6 small meals a day, so that I eat just enough to be satisfied and not hungry. That tends to help me not become as bloated. Like you, I get bloated the most in the late afternoon and evening. I also stay away from most dairy. It makes me bloated and gassy. The only thing I eat that is dairy is low fat yogurt. I also stay away from brocolli and other gassy vegetables. For some reason onions make me gassy, although I love them lol. I think your drinking alot of water probably helps too. I know it does for me.

The only thing I can recommend to reduce your symptoms of bloating is, exercise, exercise and EXERCISE!!  :) Thats the only thing that works wonders for me.

I'm the same way, it get's so bad that it looks like I'm 5 months pregnant, I swear. But when I wake up the next day it's gone but comes back after dinner.

I've never been diagnosed as haiving IBS but sometimes I think I might have that. I have lot's of bowel issues... I don't know how normal it is.

oh yeah i definately agree with mszander, the best thing is exercise. Cuz  you kind of "expel" the gas during it. haha, its funny though.