Bloated, Even When You Eat “Clean”? It Might Be Your Hormones.

You’ve cut out gluten. You skip the dairy. You read every ingredient label and still somehow… you’re bloated.
That constant belly bloat — the kind that makes your jeans feel tight by 3pm, the kind that makes you wonder if you’re doing something wrong — might not be a food sensitivity issue at all.
It might be your hormones.

Bloating: A Hormone Issue in Disguise

We often blame bloat on what we eat — and sure, food sensitivities, gut infections, and inflammation can all play a role. But there’s a deeper layer most people miss: hormonal imbalance.

Specifically, elevated estrogen and low progesterone — one of the most common patterns I see in women during perimenopause — can wreak havoc on digestion and how your body holds onto water. When estrogen is too high (or not properly cleared from the body), it can lead to:

• Slowed gut motility (hello, constipation and sluggish digestion)

• Water retention and puffiness

• Inflammation that affects everything from mood to gut function

And without enough progesterone to balance things out? You’re left feeling bloated, irritable, heavy, and uncomfortable — no matter how clean your meals are.

It’s Not Just Annoying — It’s a Clue

That daily bloating isn’t just inconvenient. It’s a message. Your body is trying to tell you something — not just about what you ate, but about what your hormones are (or aren’t) doing. If you're in your 30s, 40s, or early 50s and noticing:

• New or worsening bloating

• Irregular periods or heavier cycles

• Mood changes, fatigue, or brain fog

…it may be time to look deeper.

What You Can Do

The good news? This is all fixable — but it takes the right testing and a personalized plan. At Unshakeable Wellness, I run labs that evaluate both your gut and hormone health so we can uncover the real cause of your symptoms and create a strategy that actually works.
Because cutting out more foods isn’t always the answer. Sometimes, it’s about balancing what’s going on within.