7 Surprising Signs Your Digestion Needs Support

In the Dishing Up Nutrition podcast episode "Undigested Food: Why It Happens & What to Do" hosts Kara Carper MA, CNS, LN and Brandy Buro MS, RD, LD tackle one of the most common questions they receive: "What are the symptoms of not digesting food properly?" They explore the causes behind poor digestion, why it happens, and practical ways to improve it.

If these common symptoms hit close to home, listen to the full episode for a deep dive into digestive health, the role of your digestive system, gut-friendly lifestyle changes, and more.

1. You Feel Full Too Fast (or Exhausted After Meals)

If you feel overly full just a few bites into a meal or find yourself ready for a nap right after eating, your digestion might be to blame.

Why it happens:

Your body might not be producing enough stomach acid or digestive enzymes to break down your meal. Without proper digestion, food sits too long in the stomach, causing bloating and fatigue. Meals that are high in protein can be especially tough to digest when this happens.

2. Painful Bloating and Gas

Feeling like a balloon ready to pop after eating? Persistent bloating, belching, or flatulence might indicate your digestive enzymes aren’t keeping up.

Why it happens:

Poor enzyme activity or low stomach acid can lead to partially digested food fermenting in the gut, which produces excess gas, bloating, and stomach pain.

3. Floating or Greasy Stool

Yep, we’re going there! If your stool floats, looks oily, or you notice undigested food particles, this is a major clue that your digestive process is off.

Why it happens:

This often points to fat malabsorption, which can happen if your gallbladder is underperforming or has been removed. Bile, produced by the gallbladder, is essential for breaking down fats.

4. Recurring Nutrient Deficiencies

Low levels of iron or vitamin B12 despite eating a balanced diet? Poor stomach acid or enzyme production could be the culprit for why you aren't absorbing enough nutrients.

Why it happens:

Stomach acid is essential for breaking down foods so your body can absorb nutrients like B12 and iron. Without enough acid, even nutrient-rich foods pass through without being fully digested.

5. Acid Reflux or Heartburn

While it feels like “too much acid,” heartburn can often be a sign of low stomach acid.

Why it happens:

When stomach acid is low, undigested food sits longer in the stomach, which can create pressure and push acid into the esophagus. Over time, antacid medications exacerbate the problem by further reducing stomach acid levels.

6. Your Favorite Foods Don’t Agree With You Anymore

Tomatoes, citrus, or even coffee may suddenly trigger reflux or bloating.

Why it happens:

These foods might not be the problem on their own. Years of low-level inflammation, often caused by gluten or other irritants, can damage your gut lining, making it sensitive to foods that were once no problem.

7. Stress-Eating Leaves You Feeling Worse

If you’re eating in a rush or while distracted, digestion takes a back seat.

Why it happens:

Stress triggers a “fight-or-flight” response in the body, which shuts down digestion to focus on survival. Eating in this state means your body isn’t prioritizing breaking down food or absorbing nutrients.

Tips & solutions for when your body isn't digesting food properly:

If you’ve noticed these signs in your own life, the great news is that poor digestion doesn’t have to be your normal. Kara and Brandy unpack the root causes of these symptoms in their latest podcast episode, offering practical, real-food solutions to heal your gut and get back to feeling your best.

They cover:

• The function of digestive organs like your stomach, pancreas, and gallbladder.
• The importance of gut health and the role of your microbiome.
• Lifestyle shifts (like mindfulness practices) to improve digestion.
• Simple changes you can make today to relieve symptoms and absorb more nutrients.

 Listen to "Undigested Food: Why It Happens & What to Do" to get the tips & solutions!