Fat Malabsorption: Why Fat in Your Diet May Be Triggering Digestive Symptoms

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Alyssa explains why fat malabsorption is an often-overlooked cause of chronic digestive symptoms like diarrhea, greasy stools, bloating, weight loss, and nutrient deficiencies. Learn how your liver, pancreas, and small intestine work together to digest fat, what happens when that process breaks down, and why continuing to eliminate foods may not solve the real problem. You'll learn: What fat malabsorption is and how it affects digestion The difference between fat malabsorption and food sensitivities Why greasy stools (steatorrhea) happen Symptoms that may point to poor fat absorption Common causes of fat malabsorption, including: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), Reduced bile production, SIBO, Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and Short bowel syndrome Why fat malabsorption is different from bile acid malabsorption (BAD) How fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies develop Why healthy fats can still trigger symptoms Practical dietary strategies that can reduce symptoms while you investigate the underlying cause Why restricting more foods isn't always the answer Resources mentioned: Not sure what to eat if you're dealing with fat malabsorption, chronic diarrhea, greasy stools, bloating, or difficulty digesting fatty foods? Download the 7-day Fat Malabsorption Diet Guide designed to help you reduce symptoms while supporting long-term gut health. Want to learn more about one of the most common causes of fat malabsorption? Read our Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) Guide to understand the symptoms, testing, diagnosis, and treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and download our FREE Pancreatic Insufficiency Diet Guide for practical nutrition strategies, meal planning tips, and food recommendations. If you've been stuck on a Low FODMAP diet and aren't sure what comes next, this free masterclass walks you through the five-step framework we use to help clients move beyond symptom management, rebuild food tolerance, and create a healthier, more resilient gut. Still relying on a highly restricted diet to keep symptoms under control? Book a 1:1 Strategy Call and we’ll look at your symptom history, what you’ve already tried, and whether working together makes sense, along with what that would look like. Learn more about Nutrition Resolution’s Signature Healthy Gut Restoration Program — a personalized, root-cause approach to addressing bloating, constipation, and underlying digestive imbalances. Follow Alyssa on: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest - Looking for a supportive Gut Health community? Alyssa is building a community committed to helping people overcome their digestive symptoms by addressing the root cause using food and nutrition. Join Alyssa’s FREE Facebook Community here. Tune in and subscribe to "The Gut Health Dialogues" for inspiring client transformation stories and expert insights into gut health. Leave a review—Your support will help Alyssa empower more people with the knowledge and tools to take control of their gut health and reclaim their lives.