Bloating & Digestive Discomfort
Bloating and digestive discomfort can feel unpredictable, uncomfortable and exhausting — especially when it seems like everything triggers it. For some people, it shows up as tightness or distension after eating; for others, it’s a heavy, sluggish feeling that comes and goes without a clear pattern.
Digestive symptoms like these are extremely common and can have many overlapping causes. They don’t mean you’re “doing something wrong” — they’re simply signals from your body that something in your digestive system may need more support. This guide explores what might contribute to bloating, why it shows up differently for each person, and how a personalised nutritional approach can help you find more comfort and consistency.
Why bloating feels different for everyone
Two people can eat the same meal and have very different digestive experiences. That’s because bloating isn’t caused by one single factor — it’s influenced by your digestion, gut motility, stress response, menstrual cycle, microbiome, food patterns and even how fast you eat.
Hormonal shifts throughout the month can also affect bloating, especially around ovulation and the days before your period. Stress can slow digestion for some people and speed it up for others. Even healthy foods like beans, lentils or vegetables can feel uncomfortable if they’re introduced too quickly or if your gut needs more support adjusting.
Understanding your unique digestive pattern is the first step towards long-term relief.
Common factors that may influence bloating
Bloating can be influenced by a combination of nutritional, digestive, lifestyle and hormonal factors. These may include:
Eating irregularly or skipping meals
Low stomach acid or digestive enzyme insufficiency
Food timing or eating too quickly
Low fibre intake, or suddenly increasing fibre
Stress affecting gut motility
Menstrual cycle phase
Gut microbiome imbalances
Dehydration
Highly processed foods
Lack of movement or long periods of sitting
These factors don’t cause symptoms for everyone, but exploring them gently can help you understand what your body is reacting to.
What a Nutritional Therapy session looks like
A session is calm, collaborative and focused on you. We start by discussing your current symptoms, lifestyle and goals. From there, I help you understand the possible contributors to your bloating and suggest gentle nutrition and lifestyle strategies to support digestion — without restriction or overwhelm.
You’ll receive a tailored nutrition and lifestyle plan with practical steps that work for your routine, plus guidance on Meal timing, fibre diversity, hydration, stress-supportive habits and digestive comfort techniques. Follow-up sessions build on your progress, helping you refine what works and feel more confident in understanding your symptoms.
When to speak to your GP
It’s important to speak to your GP if your bloating is severe, persistent or painful and is accompanied by unexplained weight loss, blood in your stool, persistent diarrhoea, ongoing constipation, difficulty swallowing, symptoms that wake you at night or any digestive changes you’re worried about.
Nutrition can complement medical care, but it should not replace appropriate medical assessment.
If you’d like support with your digestion, I’m here to help
If you’re feeling uncomfortable, confused by your symptoms or unsure where to start, we can explore this together in a supportive, personalised way.
Book a free introductory call to talk through your symptoms, understand your triggers and begin moving towards more comfortable, balanced digestion.