The Nutrient Dense Podcast

Ep 89: Eating Healthier and Feeling MORE bloated? Here's why.

September 17, 2026·48 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Have you ever cleaned up your diet only to find yourself more bloated, gassy, constipated, nauseous, or uncomfortable than you were before? You've added in more veggies and gut health foods and instead of feeling amazing, your digestion seems to be getting worse.   In this episode, I'm breaking down three of the biggest reasons I see this happen with our clients. We'll talk about why increasing fiber can sometimes make SIBO, constipation, and slow gut motility feel worse; why nutritious foods like avocado, fermented foods, spinach, and leftovers can trigger symptoms when you're dealing with histamine issues; and why increasing healthy fats can reveal underlying problems with bile flow, pancreatic enzymes, or digestive function.   Most importantly, I want you to understand that the answer isn't to become afraid of healthy foods or restrict them forever. Your reactions can actually give us clues about where your digestive system is struggling—and once we identify and address those deeper issues, the goal is to help you tolerate more foods with fewer reactions.               WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE: A temporary increase in gas can happen when you rapidly increase fiber—but severe or persistent symptoms warrant a deeper look. Fiber intolerance can point toward bacterial overgrowth and impaired gut motility. Adding more fiber isn't always the answer for constipation and can sometimes worsen symptoms when motility is impaired. Reactions to fermented foods, avocado, leftovers, and other histamine-rich foods may signal histamine overload or impaired clearance. Feeling worse after increasing healthy fats can point toward issues with bile flow, enzymes, or fat digestion. The goal isn't long-term food restriction—it's understanding why your body is reacting in the first place. Your food reactions can provide valuable clues about what may be happening underneath the surface.                     LINKS: Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free! Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off Create a Fullscript account and get access to 15% off our recommended practitioner-grade supplements here. Apply for HAN's 1:1 Coaching Program! Listen to Episode 72 - The Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) — Your Gut's Natural Cleaning Cycle Listen to Episode 83 - Histamine Isn't the Problem — Here's What Actually Is Listen to Episode 12 - Is Histamine Overload Causing Your Unexplained Symptoms? Listen to Episode 59 - How to Support Your Nervous System in Times of Chaos Listen to Episode 80 - Bile Flow 101: The Overlooked Key to Better Digestion, Bowel Movements & Histamine                 CONNECT WITH HANNAH: Instagram  |   Website</a

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