If you're constantly bloated, it's easy to assume that a certain food must be causing it and cutting that food out will fix the problem….but figuring out why you're bloated isn't always straightforward. In this episode of The Gut Show, I'm joined by dietitian Kate Scarlata to talk about what's actually happening when you feel bloated. While it's easy to blame gas, stool, or water in the gut, there can be much more to the story. We also get into one of the most confusing parts of managing bloating: fiber. Fiber can help with bloating in some situations and make it worse in others. So, if you're eating a high-fiber diet and feeling bloated, does that mean you're eating too much? Tune in to this episode of The Gut Show to find out! In this episode, we cover: Welcome Kate Scarlata! [1:47] How do you define bloating? [4:48] Causes of bloating [5:45] Where do you start? [9:19] Do you address motility or bloating first? [11:54] High fecal burden [13:42] Fast motility and bloating [15:05] High sensation [18:43] When bloating is painful [22:55] Central sensitization [24:31] Where can visceral hypersensitivity improve [28:02] Fiber is complicated [34:04] Fibermaxxing [41:09] Microbial overgrowth [42:24] Unnecessary dietary restriction [48:17] APD [1:02:57] Connecting the dots [1:08:39] Fiber can be both a cause and a help for bloating. When it comes to bloating, it's easy to only blame gas, stool, and water in the gut as the cause. But what else can be going on? If you eat a lot of fiber, is it normal to feel bloated? Mentioned in this episode: MASTER Method Membership What's your poop personality? About our guest: Kate Scarlata MPH, RDN is a Boston-based registered dietitian and New York Times best selling author with 30+ years of digestive health experience. She was awarded Best Dietitian by Boston Magazine. Kate is a world-renowned low FODMAP diet expert and invited speaker on the role of food intolerance in GI disorders at numerous international and national gastrointestinal health conferences from Harvard Medical School to Monash University. Kate specializes in digestive health including treatment for: IBS, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, mast cell activation syndrome and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). She is known for her compassionate and evidence-based approach to helping individuals with digestive disorders improve their symptoms and quality of life. Her recent passion project is The Gut Health Podcast where she talks all things about Gut Health + Well-being. She is the co-author of the New York Times Best Seller, The 21 Day Tummy Diet, The 21 Day Tummy Cookbook, the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Well with IBS, co-author of The Low FODMAP Diet Step by Step and her most recent co-authored book, Mind Your Gut: The Science-Based, Whole-body Guide to eating Well with IBS with Dr. Megan Riehl. Connect with Kate: Instagram Book: Mind your Gut Podcast: The Gut Health Podcast Bloat guide Behind the Bloat: Where it Starts, Why it Happens, and How to Heal Thank you to our partner: If you're dealing with GI issues like IBS, SIBO, EoE, IBD, or IMO, you may have heard of the elemental diet. mBIOTA Elemental is a clinically proven, short-term liquid nutrition protocol that provides essential nutrients in their simplest forms, allowing much of the GI tract to rest and reset. It's a nutrition-based alternative to antibiotics for managing GI conditions. Developed by a patient and her doctors to improve the patient experience — without sacrificing effectiveness. Learn more at mBIOTA.com and save 15% on the two-week protocol with code GUTSHOW15. Connect with Erin Judge, RD: Instagram TikTok Work with Erin FREE symptom tracker