Edition 26 August 2025 by Glasshouse Country & Maleny News

Health & Wellbeing

Bloating link to intolerance AN AUSTRALIAN food testing service says many people who report reactions to everyday foods may be experiencing “food incompatibility” rather than allergy or intolerance. Australia has long grappled with food reactions: estimates suggest allergies aﬀect up to 10 per cent of children and about 4 per cent of adults, while roughly one in four people believe they have some form of intolerance. FoodFit argues a third category—food

incompatibility—can arise when ordinary foods aggravate a temporarily imbalanced or inflammatory state in the body. In an analysis of 2,856 symptom reports gathered between July 2024 and July 2025 through naturalhealth practitioners, the firm lists bloating, tiredness and rashes or itchy skin as the top complaints, alongside constipation, brain fog, diarrhoea, flatulence, sinus issues, sleep disorders

and headaches. On its measure, respondents were “incompatible” with an average of 82 foods, with

bread, multigrain bread, skim and A2 milk, pasta and cow’s milk cheese. The company

high rates recorded for staples such as full-cream milk, white and wholemeal

distinguishes incompatibility from allergy (an immune reaction)

and intolerance (often enzyme or metabolic issues), contending that incompatibility may be driven by factors like inﬂammation, stress or environmental load. It says its program does not use blood testing but assesses hair and saliva against more than 600 whole foods and household items, then guides a short-term, practitioner-led elimination plan, after which some foods may be reintroduced.

The service is sold via practitioners for a one-oﬀ fee. While the data describe patterns seen in people seeking help for symptoms, the analysis is based on self-reported histories rather than a populationrepresentative study. Consumers considering elimination diets are typically advised to seek medical guidance, particularly if symptoms are severe or persistent, to avoid missing other causes or compromising nutrition.

Recipe of the week ...

Spinach and Ricotta Stuﬀed Chicken Rolls

Cheesy Broccoli Bites

Ingredients: 1 cup dried cranberries 1 kg boneless, skinless butterflied chicken OR 5 skinless chicken breast fillets 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 brown onion, finely diced 1 clove garlic, finely diced or crushed 280 grams baby spinach 250 grams fresh soft ricotta 3 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs 200 grams baby spinach and rocket 1 tablespoon Greek seasoning Pinch of black pepper Lemon wedges to serve Method: TIP the cranberries into a bowl with boiling water. Set aside to soak for 30 minutes, then drain. USE a rolling pin or

meat mallet to ﬂatten the chicken, between cling wrap until it is 2-3cm thick. Set aside. (Use this method for both the butterﬂied whole chicken or the chicken breasts). PREHEAT oven to 180°C fan forced. HEAT oil over medium heat in a large fry pan. ADD diced onion and garlic and cook stirring for approx. 2 – 3 minutes. ADD baby spinach and cook until wilted and liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat. TRANSFER the spinach mixture to a large bowl. ADD the ricotta, panko crumbs, half the cranberries, half the Greek seasoning and fresh pepper to the spinach mixture, combining well. IF using a whole

Ingredients: 2 broccoli heads, roughly chopped OR 2 cups frozen broccoli florets ½ cup panko breadcrumbs ¼ cup wholemeal flour 2 eggs ½ cup tasty cheese, grated ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon dried chives Method: PREHEAT oven to 200°C/180°C fan forced. BRING a pot of water to the boil on the stovetop. butterflied chicken, cut it in half to create two pieces each about 20cm square. SPOON the ricotta mixture along the centre of each chicken piece, roll up to enclose the filling well. Sprinkle remaining Greek seasoning over the top. Secure with unwaxed kitchen string. WRAP in lightly greased

ADD broccoli to a steamer and place over the pot. Steam for approximately 10 minutes or until tender. ADD steamed broccoli and all remaining ingredients into a food processer or blender. Blend until well combined. SHAPE mixture into bitesized balls and place on a lined baking tray or a mini muﬀin pan. BAKE for 20-25 minutes or until golden.

foil and seal by twisting the foil ends. PLACE chicken rolls on a baking sheet, bake for 40 minutes. Unwrap carefully and brush with olive oil. Return to oven and bake a further 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Set aside to rest for 10 minutes. Strain the pan juices into a jug.

Older drivers wanted for local study UNIVERSITY of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) researchers are calling on older drivers to take part in a new study investigating how age-related changes in attention may aﬀect driving performance. The trial is part of the MAIC/UniSC Road Safety Research Collaboration’s broader program to develop a standardised screening tool for assessing cognitive ﬁtness to drive. PhD candidate Samantha Ellis explained the project will examine how brain activity relates to safe driving. “Our ability to focus

on the road is fundamental to safe driving,” she said. “As we age, changes in attention are natural, but it’s important to understand how they may impact performance behind the wheel.” Eligible participants will complete computerised attention tasks while their brain activity is measured using EEG technology, followed by simulated driving activities. Results will be compared to a control group of younger drivers aged under 30 with at least three years’ driving experience.

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Unlike standard cognitive tests, EEG allows us to measure attention in real time,” Ms Ellis said. Senior Research Fellow Dr Kayla Stefanidis said the ﬁndings could help GPs and health professionals make more accurate assessments. “We want to keep safe older drivers on the road for as long as possible,” she said. UniSC is now seeking participants aged 60–90 who can attend a single appointment at its Sippy Downs campus. To learn more visit unisc.edu.au/ research/healthy-people or email ADS@usc.edu.au

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