Understanding the Deeper Causes of Bloating
Why am I so bloated after every meal?
If you feel bloated after most meals—uncomfortably full, gassy, or looking a few months pregnant—it’s easy to feel frustrated, self-conscious, or even like this is “just how your body is.” But here’s the truth: bloating might be common, but it’s not normal. It’s a signal that your digestion isn’t working the way it should—and it’s 100% worth investigating.
Because when digestion improves, so does your energy. Your skin glows. Your mind clears. You feel confident in your clothes again. You can enjoy meals, travel, and social events without constant discomfort or planning around your symptoms.
What causes bloating after eating?
Bloating after meals is rarely just about what you ate. It’s more about how well your gut is functioning. Here are some of the most common root causes:
Not chewing enough – Chewing is the first stage of digestion. If food enters your stomach in large chunks, it puts extra pressure on your digestive system and can mean you don’t end up digesting or absorbing your food properly
Low stomach acid – Essential for breaking down protein and killing off harmful microbes. Without enough acid, food ferments, gas builds up, and bloating follows. We also increase the risk of gut infections.
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) – Bacteria that belong in the large intestine migrate upwards and ferment your food where it shouldn’t be fermented.
Food sensitivities and leaky gut – Chronic gut inflammation can trigger immune reactions to everyday foods, leading to worsening bloat and discomfort.
Stress and poor vagus nerve tone – When you're rushing or anxious, your body can’t prioritise digestion, leading to symptoms like bloating, cramping, or reflux.
What your bloating is really telling you
If you’re bloated most days, it means your body isn’t breaking down and absorbing your food properly. Instead:
Bacteria ferment your food – Undigested food sits in your gut and becomes food for bacteria, creating excess gas and bloating. Over time this will lead to an imbalance in the microbiome of your large intestine.
You miss out on nutrients – A healthy meal is only helpful if you’re absorbing it.
You inflame your gut lining – Chronic fermentation and poorly broken down food irritate your gut wall, setting the stage for leaky gut, immune issues, and reactions to foods.
Long-term, this can lead to:
Fatigue and low energy – Because you’re not absorbing enough B vitamins, iron, or protein.
Dry skin and thinning hair – Due to the poor absorption of fats, zinc, and nutrients needed for skin repair.
Hormone imbalances – Your gut affects how hormones are made, recycled, and cleared.
Brain fog and low mood – Thanks to nutrient deficiencies and disrupted gut-brain signalling.
A weakened immune system – 70% of your immune system lives in your gut.
So while bloating might feel like “just a digestive issue,” it’s really a clue to something deeper and is absolutely worth paying attention to.
The at-home stomach acid test (try this!)
Step 1: Mix ¼ tsp of baking soda into 150ml of water.
Step 2: Drink it on an empty stomach (first thing in the morning).
Step 3: Time how long it takes you to burp.
What to expect:
If you burp within 2–3 minutes, that’s a good sign.
If it takes longer (or not at all), you may have low stomach acid.
This isn’t a diagnostic test, but it’s a useful indicator. Email me your burp time—I’ll review it and suggest some relevant next steps.
Functional testing to uncover the root cause
When you're ready to dig deeper, here are the tools we use:
SIBO breath testing – To see if bacteria are overgrowing in the small intestine.
Comprehensive stool testing – To assess enzymes, inflammation, infections, and microbiome health.
Food sensitivity testing – Especially helpful for identifying delayed immune reactions.
Advanced acid and enzyme analysis – To see exactly where digestion is breaking down.
Not everybody requires functional testing and not every test needs to be taken. Often one or two will give us enough information to identify the next steps.
What can you do today to feel less bloated?
Start with these easy wins:
Chew every bite thoroughly – Until food is mush. This means your stomach has to do less work.
Eat in stillness – Sit down, slow down, and avoid screens. Your gut needs calm to function well.
Try bitter foods before meals – A few rocket leaves, apple cider vinegar in water, or a slice of lemon can trigger natural acid and enzyme release.
What requires deeper support?
Some symptoms won’t shift without tailored practitioner support. That might include:
Investigating why your stomach acid is low – Often caused by stress, medications, or underlying infections.
Targeted enzyme or acid support – To improve digestion and nutrient absorption.
Addressing any infections – Like SIBO or H. pylori, which require practitioner-guided antimicrobial protocols.
Repairing and resealing the gut lining – To reduce sensitivities and inflammation.
Microbiome restoration – Once the root cause is cleared, we rebuild a balanced gut environment.
Bloating isn’t something you have to accept. Even if you’ve struggled with it for years, your body can shift—and often quite quickly—with the right support.
Imagine eating a meal without worrying about the aftermath. Feeling energised instead of deflated. Comfortable in your jeans. Focused at work. Free to say yes to dinner plans or holidays without stress.
Don’t leave your bloating unresolved and suffer the consequences down the line. Consider this your sign to get help today
📞 Click here to book your free 15-minute call so we can uncover the root cause of your bloating together, and get you started on your healing journey.
