Red meat is essential as part of a balanced and healthy diet, according to the chair of Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), Catherine Smith.
Smith is emphasising the role that red meat plays in diets ahead of World Health Day tomorrow (Sunday, April 7).
The day, which is led by the World Health Organisation (WHO), will focus on the theme of ‘My health, my right’ this year.
The theme stresses that, around the world, the right to health of millions of people is increasingly coming under threat, HCC said.
Smith said: “People across the world have a right to nutritious and sustainable food and whilst the nutritional needs of our bodies vary and change throughout our lives, it’s essential from infancy to the later stages of our lives, that we look after our bodies for health and happiness.
“The simplest way to a healthy lifestyle is to eat a variety of different foods and red meat is one food group that can help us keep on top of our intakes of iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc, B vitamins, vitamin D at all stages of life.”
As it is “packed with these essential vitamins and minerals”, a balanced diet with lean red meat at its core can help with keeping fit and well, the HCC said.
“Eaten in the right quantities, incorporating red meat in your diet has many health benefits for people of all ages, including iron which helps reduce tiredness and fatigue, B vitamins which produce energy, and zinc which helps the immune system to work normally,” Smith said.
“Eating tasty Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef as part of a healthy balanced diet is an excellent way of making sure you are getting what you need for good health – as nature intended.”
