The Real Reason You Eat Healthy But Still Feel Bloated

Even before I chose to study gut health for my master’s degree in nutrition, the most common question I would always get from friends and clients was this: I eat healthy, why am I still always bloated?

If you look on the TikTok echo chamber, you’ll see performance reassurance in the form of comments like “bloating is super normal!” “If you’re a woman, bloating is to protect your womb!” and other comforting, but ultimately, half-baked and non-scientific ideas.

Look don’t get me wrong. It’s normal to bloat a bit after a big meal. It’s also normal to have a flatter stomach in the morning versus the evening — in the morning you’ve just gone an entire night without food. It’s also common to bloat more after drinking alcohol or eating a high sodium meal, for example.

But what’s not normal: painful, persistent, or extreme bloating — especially with no known cause.

I met with a friend last week who was close to tears. She was so painfully bloated that she had to buy a dress halfway through our lunch because her jeans were hurting her stomach so much.

“I’ve only eaten avocado toast and drunk chamomile tea. I didn’t even have coffee today. I’ve also cut out dairy and sugar. Why am I still so bloated?”

If this sounds like you, keep reading.