Why Eating Too Clean Can Mess Up Your Digestion?

There comes a moment in everyone’s wellness journey when the effort to eat ‘better’ slowly starts feeling heavier than expected. And, you must know it never happens in a day. It begins quietly, almost harmlessly.

You cut back on oil. Then sugar. Then salt. Then carbs. Then anything that feels like it might slow you down.

Until one day you realise, what started as discipline has turned into your biggest nightmare. Your stomach starts to feel tight. Your energy starts dropping. You feel bloated even though you are doing everything the ‘right' way. 

And that is when the thought creeps in: maybe my gut is not reacting to the food; maybe it is reacting to the rules.

We rarely talk about how easy it is to overthink nutrition. Clean eating sounds gentle, but the pursuit of it often becomes rigid. And, in that rigidity, your body begins to work harder to fill the gaps you never meant to create.

When fat becomes too low, hormones start losing their rhythm.
When salt is limited, even simple daily tasks begin to feel draining.
When carbs are restricted, digestion slows down, and the mind feels heavier.
When meals are too raw or too fibrous, the gut feels burdened instead of supported.

None of this means eating well is wrong. It means eating too little, too lightly or too restrictively can work against you.

Therefore, it is important to remember that your gut is not looking for perfection; it is looking for balance. It wants food that feels warm and comforting, enough protein and carbs to keep things moving, a little fat to stabilise you, and salt so your energy stays steady. Most importantly, it needs permission to feel safe, not judged.

So if you have been eating ‘too clean’ but still feel uncomfortable, it may not be the food that needs changing. It might be the pressure you have placed on yourself.

Perhaps this week, instead of removing more from your plate, you can try adding things back. A bowl of something warm. A meal that feels grounding. A portion that feels satisfying instead of correct. Ironically, it’s often when you stop chasing ‘clean’ then your gut finally feels clean again.

Akya f you’re working on rebuilding a healthier relationship with food and digestion, do check out our products that support gut comfort, energy and hormone balance.