Bloating is a totally normal part of life! We eat, the food travels to the stomach, and then enters the intestines where fermentation takes places. Fermentation is undertaken by the good bacteria of the intestines, producing gas and some bloating, which is normal and healthy.
Sometimes, we may eat a large meal, which invariably causes a degree of bloating (which is essentially expansion of the gastrointestinal tract to accommodate the volume of food)1. Again, this is to be expected. It can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it is still absolutely within the realm of normal.
When pain of any sort, altered bowel habits (diarrhoea/constipation), or vomiting occur, that is generally a cause for concern1. If the bloating persists for several days, then that can also be an indicator that things are not as they should be.
However, this is not a reason to self-diagnose and start eliminating food groups, as this can lead to malnutrition and nutritional deficits, which can have significant implications for long-term health2. It is always best to consult with a doctor to determine if anything significant medically is going on and then to go down the dietary route, alongside a dietitian.
References
- Malagelada J, Accarino A, Azpiroz F. Bloating and Abdominal Distension: Old Misconceptions and Current Knowledge. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2017;112(8):1221-1231.
- Malnutrition symptoms and treatments [Internet]. Nhsinform.scot. 2020 [cited 17 October 2020]. Available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/nutritional/malnutrition