7 Surprising Causes You Could Be Bloated

"Why Am I So Bloated All the Time? 7 Surprising Causes You Haven’t Considered"

If your jeans are tight by lunchtime or you constantly feel like you're six months pregnant after eating — you're not alone.
Bloating is one of the most common digestive complaints, yet often the most misunderstood. While it’s tempting to blame a certain food or cycle day, the root cause is rarely that simple. Let’s explore some of the less obvious reasons you might be experiencing persistent bloating.

1. You’re Eating on the Run

Rushed meals signal your body that it’s not safe to digest. This shifts your nervous system out of “rest and digest” mode, reducing stomach acid and digestive enzyme production.

2. Low Stomach Acid (Not Too Much!)

Contrary to popular belief, many cases of bloating are due to low stomach acid, not high. Without enough acid, proteins aren’t properly broken down — leading to fermentation and gas.

3. Sluggish Metabolism

Your gut is like a conveyor belt. If it’s moving too slowly (often due to low thyroid function or chronic stress), food sits longer and ferments — causing bloating and discomfort.

4. Poor Bile Flow

If your liver or gallbladder isn’t releasing enough bile, fats aren’t digested properly. This can lead to bloating, nausea, or that heavy feeling after meals — especially rich ones.

5. Chronic Stress

Long-term stress disrupts your gut-brain axis and slows down motility. It can also deplete minerals needed for proper digestion, like zinc and magnesium.

6. Hormonal Imbalance

Estrogen dominance or thyroid dysfunction can both slow digestion and create inflammation in the gut, leading to bloating — especially around your period.

7. Energetic or Emotional Overload

Unprocessed grief, boundary violations, or saying “yes” when you mean “no” can register in the body — especially the gut. Bloating may be your body’s way of expressing what’s been emotionally suppressed.

Bloating is common, but it’s not “just something you have to live with.” It’s a signal — a clue from your body.
Want to learn how to decode it from a medical, functional and energetic perspective?

🎧 Tune into Episode 5: “What Is My Bloating Trying to Tell Me?” on the What’s My Body Telling Me? podcast — now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.