Do you feel like your stomach is too full? Or do you notice that your stomach is protruding a little more than normal? It can be hard to experience bloating symptoms, especially when you feel like the bloating is affecting your appearance and you feel uncomfortable at the same time.
There are multiple reasons why your stomach is always bloated. It could be ongoing food choices that areimpacting your digestion. Or, you may have an underlying health condition that is affecting bloating and digestive response.
Common Causes of Stomach Bloating
Here are a few things to consider if you feel like your stomach is always bloated:
- Salt: While salt is essential to your diet, too much of this ingredient can also contribute to bloating. Salt causes water retention, increasing blood pressure and making you feel bloated. Most of the time, salt comes from prepackaged foods and fast foods – so avoid these things to reduce salt intake.
- Carbohydrates: You need carbs to fuel your body, but too many carbs and the wrong types of carbs can contribute to digestive issues and other health problems. The faster carbs spike your blood sugar levels, increasing the likelihood that you will retain water and feel bloated. Avoid simple carbs like pastries, candy, and white bread. Instead,prioritize complex carbs like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which take longer to digest.
- Overeating: Consuming too much food causes the stomach to expand and puts pressure on the digestive system. One way to reduce the risk of bloating after a meal is to stop eating before you feel full.
- Carbonated Drinks: Sipping on a soda or cold beer is refreshing, but the carbonation gas could increase the risk of bloating. These bubbles fill up the digestive system, and the body needs a way to release the gas. Additionally, most sodas are loaded with sugar, which can also increase bloating.
- Eating Too Fast: When you eat food too quickly, you are also swallowing air at the same time. This air passes through to the intestinal tract and can result in bloating and discomfort. Slow your food intake and ensure you are chewing your foods thoroughly.
- Food Sensitivities: Some people are intolerant to gluten or lactose, which can cause physical responses after eating specific ingredients. Talk to a doctor for food allergy testing. Or try eliminating dairy and/or gluten from your diet to see if you feel better and have less bloating without these ingredients.
- Hormones: Many women find that they are bloated while on their period. This symptom is one of many that occurs with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which starts about a week before their period. Balancing hormones is key if you experience a lot of symptoms before or during your period.