Why Am I Always Bloated? 12 Common Causes You Might Not Expect
If you constantly feel puffy, uncomfortable, gassy, or like your belly blows up after eating anything, you’re not alone.
“Why am I always bloated?” is one of the most-Googled digestive questions—and there’s a reason. Bloating is extremely common, but it’s not normal.
Occasional bloating can happen after a heavy meal or fizzy drink, but daily, painful, or persistent bloating is a sign that something deeper is going on. The good news? Once you know what’s causing it, you can fix it.
Here are the most common reasons people feel bloated all the time—plus what to do about them.
1. Poor Digestion (Low Enzymes or Stomach Acid)
If your body isn’t breaking down food properly, it ferments—causing gas, pressure, and bloating.
Signs this might be you:
Bloating after high-protein or heavy meals
Feeling full quickly
Burping, reflux, heartburn
Fix: Try eating slowly, chewing thoroughly, adding bitter foods (rocket, lemon, apple cider vinegar), and consider professional guidance around digestive enzymes or HCl support.
2. Food Intolerances or Sensitivities
The most common culprits: gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, high-FODMAP foods, and artificial sweeteners.
Clues:
Symptoms flare after certain foods
Bloating + skin rashes, sinus issues, headaches, or fatigue
A naturopath or nutritionist can help identify whether you’re reacting, rather than guess-and-checking forever.
3. Constipation
If stool is backed up, gas gets trapped behind it—causing pressure, pain, a swollen lower belly, and even nausea.
Fixes:
More water + electrolytes
Magnesium glycinate or citrate
Fibre from whole foods
Daily movement and correct toilet posture
4. Gut Dysbiosis (Imbalance of Gut Bacteria)
Too much of the wrong bacteria—or not enough of the good ones—can lead to fermentation, gas, inflammation, and bloating.
This often happens after:
Antibiotics
Stress
Poor diet
Alcohol
Stomach bugs
A Complete Gut Microbiome Test can identify exactly what’s going on.
5. SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
If bacteria overgrow in the small intestine, they ferment food too early—causing severe bloating, even after healthy meals.
Common signs:
Bloated even after water
Bloating builds throughout the day
Constipation or diarrhoea
Nausea, reflux, food intolerances
SIBO is treatable with the right protocol, but it won’t improve with probiotics alone.
6. Parasites or Post-Infectious IBS
Yes—parasites are way more common than people think, especially after travel, gastroenteritis, food poisoning, or contaminated water.
These can trigger long-term bloating, irregular bowel movements, food sensitivities, weight changes, and fatigue.
7. Hormonal Fluctuations
Bloating is common around ovulation and before your period, but extreme or persistent hormonal bloating isn’t normal.
It’s often tied to:
High oestrogen
Low progesterone
Thyroid issues
Endometriosis
PCOS
8. Stress + The Nervous System
If you’re stressed, rushed, eating on the go, or living in fight-or-flight mode, digestion literally slows down.
Your body can’t digest well if it thinks it needs to “survive,” not “rest and digest.”
9. Sluggish Bile Flow
Bile helps break down fats and remove toxins. If bile is thick, sluggish, or low, digestion stalls and bloating shows up—especially after fatty meals.
10. Low Fibre + Low Plant Diversity
You need prebiotic fibre to feed your good gut bacteria. Without it, digestion slows and gas builds.
Gentle options:
Oats
Chia + flax
Kiwi
Root vegetables
Berries
Beans/lentils (if tolerated)
11. Post-Pill Gut Changes
Birth control can alter gut bacteria, inflammation, and nutrient stores, leading to digestive upset long after stopping.
12. Eating Too Fast
Sounds simple, but it’s huge. If you swallow air while eating quickly, you’ll feel distended and gassy.
Try:
Put utensils down between bites
Deep breaths before eating
Chew until your food is soft
No scrolling or rushed meals
When Should You Be Concerned?
It’s time for a deeper look if your bloating is:
✔ Daily or worsening
✔ Painful
✔ Paired with irregular bowels, acne, fatigue, reflux, nausea, or food reactions
✔ Not improving with dietary changes
✔ Making you look 6 months pregnant after meals
Bloating is a symptom, not the root cause.
How to Find Out What’s Causing Your Bloating
Instead of guessing, the fastest path to answers is functional testing. The most helpful options are:
🔥 Complete Gut Microbiome Mapping
🔥 SIBO Testing
🔥 Comprehensive Stool Testing
🔥 Food Sensitivity Panels
🔥 Hormone Testing (for persistent cyclical bloating)
This tells you exactly what’s going on—parasites, low enzymes, dysbiosis, inflammation, overgrowth, yeast, gluten sensitivity, etc.—so you can treat it properly and stop feeling bloated every day.
The Bottom Line -
If you’ve been asking “Why am I always bloated?”, the answer is that your gut is trying to tell you something. Bloating isn’t normal, and you don’t have to just live with it.
With the right investigation and support, you can have:
A flat, comfortable belly
Food freedom
Regular digestion
Less skin inflammation
More energy & confidence
Still Feeling Bloated? Let’s Find Out Why.
Bloating is common, but it’s not normal—especially if it’s happening every day, after every meal, or alongside symptoms like acne, constipation, fatigue, reflux, or pain. You don’t have to guess, eliminate every food, or “just live with it.”
I work with women every day to uncover the root cause of their bloating using functional testing, personalised nutrition, and naturopathic treatment.
Test don’t guess
Personalised, evidence-based plan
Support for the gut–skin–hormone connection
Ready to Get Answers?
Book an Initial Consultation or Free 15-minute Health Clarity Call
→ Available online Australia-wide and in person on the Gold Coast
Book a consultationView My Gut Microbiome Package
→ Includes comprehensive testing + full report + treatment
Complete Gut Microbiome AnalysisLearn More About Functional Testing
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