Why am I always so bloated?

Why Am I Always Bloated?

Understanding the Root Causes of bloating, and How to Reset Your Gut if you are wondering 'why am I always bloated'

Let’s be honest—bloating can be one of the most frustrating and uncomfortable signs your body gives you. You wake up feeling relatively okay, but by mid-afternoon, you’re painfully bloated, looking six months pregnant, and wondering what went wrong… again. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. As a Naturopath and Nutritionist working with women in their midlife, I see this scenario daily.

In this blog, we’ll explore why bloating happens, what it might be trying to tell you, and how to begin your gut healing journey—gently and naturally.

What is Bloating, and why do you always feel bloated?

Bloating is more than just a nuisance. It’s a symptom—your body's way of signalling that something isn’t quite right in your digestive system. It may feel like your belly is tight, full, or swollen. Sometimes it comes with excessive gas, discomfort, or a change in bowel habits. While occasional bloating is normal, especially after a big meal or during certain parts of your menstrual cycle, persistent bloating deserves attention.

Understanding the Physiology of Bloating

Bloating can result from excess gas production, water retention, sluggish digestion, or even inflammation. Here are some of the most common physiological causes of bloating:

Poor stomach acid production (hypochlorhydria): Stomach acid is essential for breaking down food. If your acid levels are low, digestion slows, and food can ferment in the stomach and small intestine, causing bloating and discomfort.

Imbalanced gut bacteria (dysbiosis): Your gut microbiome plays a vital role in digestion. Too many “bad” bacteria or not enough “good” bacteria can lead to gas production, bloating, and irregular bowel movements.

Sluggish motility: Your digestive system needs regular movement (peristalsis) to move food and waste through. If motility slows (often due to stress or poor gut tone), bloating can result.

Food intolerances or sensitivities: Certain foods—like dairy, gluten, or fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPs)—can trigger bloating in susceptible people.

Hormonal shifts: Oestrogen and progesterone influence fluid retention, gut motility, and even microbiome diversity. Many women experience worsened bloating in the lead-up to their period or during perimenopause.

 

Factors That Contribute to why you always feel bloated

Many women don’t realise that their everyday habits might be contributing to their bloating. Here are some of the most common culprits as to why you often wonder, 'why am I always bloated?'

Eating too quickly or on-the-go, which causes you to swallow air and impairs digestion

High intake of processed foods, sugar, and artificial sweeteners

Overuse of antibiotics, antacids, or painkillers, which can disrupt gut flora

Unresolved gut infections such as SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) or parasites

Chronic stress, which suppresses stomach acid, slows motility, and disrupts your gut-brain axis

Under-eating or long periods of fasting, which can stress your metabolism and impair digestion

 

When Is Bloating a Sign of Something More Serious?

While functional bloating is common, it’s also important to rule out any underlying pathology—especially if your symptoms are persistent, painful, or worsening. Red flags to watch for include:

Significant, unintentional weight loss

Blood in your stool

Chronic diarrhoea or constipation

Severe fatigue

Persistent pain or cramping

In these cases, it’s essential to seek professional advice and consider testing for conditions like coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), endometriosis, or ovarian issues.

Do I Need Gut Testing?

This is one of the most common questions I get. And the answer depends on your symptoms, history, and how long you’ve been dealing with your digestive concerns.

Functional stool testing can be incredibly helpful to identify infections, inflammation, low enzyme production, or imbalances in gut bacteria. Breath tests for SIBO or hydrogen/methane gas production can also be useful in chronic bloating cases.

However, testing isn’t always necessary upfront. Many women see dramatic improvements by simply following a structured gut reset program first—supporting digestion, calming inflammation, and nourishing the gut microbiome with food and gentle herbs.

Simple Steps to Reduce Bloating at Home

If you’re not ready to dive into testing or professional consults just yet, here are a few foundational strategies you can try at home:

Chew your food thoroughly – Digestion starts in the mouth.

Reduce common irritants – Consider eliminating gluten, dairy, and processed sugar for a few weeks and observe how your body responds.

Add bitter foods – Rocket, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar—these stimulate digestive enzymes and bile flow.

Prioritise meal timing – Eat at regular intervals and avoid late-night snacking.

Try a short-term bloat-friendly diet – The Gut Glow Meal Plan is a free 7-day plan designed to ease digestive stress while nourishing your gut.

 

Why It’s Important to Get to the Root Cause

Masking bloating with peppermint tea, antacids or laxatives might offer temporary relief—but it won’t solve the root cause. Left unresolved, chronic bloating can impact your energy levels, hormones, skin, and mood. It can even be a sign of deeper gut dysfunction that needs gentle healing.

You deserve better than band-aid solutions.

The Gut Reset Program: Designed With You in Mind

This is exactly why I created the Gut Reset Program—a 6-week evidence-informed program to help you finally get to the root of your bloating, reset your digestive health, and feel like yourself again. No gimmicks. Just whole foods, natural therapies, and real support.

It’s not just about what you remove from your diet—it’s about what you restore. Healthy gut function, better energy, clearer skin, a calmer mind… it all starts in the gut.

This is not a one-size fits all program, it contains the principles of a gut healing reset plan, but it is tailor-made to your individual health needs, with a personalised supplement prescription and meal plan. Through a detailed health questionnaire, I will review your case and respond with your plan. You will have my full support during your gut reset program, so you confident that you are in good hands.

Want to get started for free? Download the 7-Day Gut Glow Meal Plan—a simple, delicious, and bloat-friendly meal guide you can implement straight away.

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone in This

If you’re Googling “why am I always bloated” and feeling lost in a sea of conflicting information, take heart. Bloating is incredibly common, but it doesn’t have to be your normal. With the right support and a personalised approach, you can feel lighter, clearer, and more in tune with your body again.

Let’s reset your gut—and your health—from the inside out. You will no longer have to ask, 'why am I always bloated?'