5 Times Your Bloating Has Nothing To Do With Weight Gain

Bloating—that uncomfortable tummy sensation where your abdomen inflates, making you look five months pregnant within five minutes—is generally thought of as The Worst. And while we’ve written plenty of articles telling you how to beat, banish, or otherwise subdue bloat, the thing is, not all bloating is bad. Sometimes it can be a side effect of healthy changes and sign you’re doing things right.

We’re not saying that bloating is ever comfortable or enjoyable, but it also doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong. Sometimes bloat is just what our bodies do when digesting stuff and that’s cool. So if you’ve been experiencing some bloating, put on your stretchy pants and read on.

(Note: If you’ve got a lot of bloat, or bloating that is painful, never goes away, or comes with other symptoms like constipation or diarrhea, then it’s worth a chat with your doctor.)