Why you feel puffy: sodium, carbs, stress, and sleep

💧 Feeling puffy is not always about fat gain. Often it is related to fluid shifts driven by sodium balance, carbohydrate intake, stress hormones, and sleep quality.

🧪 Carbohydrates store water in the body, which is normal and temporary. Stress and poor sleep increase cortisol, which alters fluid retention and can make puffiness more noticeable. Cutting sodium too aggressively can actually worsen fluid retention by triggering hormonal compensation.
For women in perimenopause, fluid regulation can feel less predictable as estrogen fluctuates, but the underlying mechanisms still apply to everyone.

🔧 Tip: Focus on consistency rather than restriction. Eat balanced meals, hydrate with electrolytes, prioritize sleep, and avoid drastic swings in sodium or carbohydrate intake.