Make It Scotch reveals that the majority of Scots are in the dark about their daily iron needs

New research shows that almost 80% of Scots are unaware that they need an equivalent of 2kg of broccoli daily to meet their iron needs

As part of World Iron Awareness Week (14^th to 20^th October), Make it Scotch, the consumer-focused arm of Quality Meat Scotland that champions the Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb, and Specially Selected Pork brands, has revealed a startling statistic: 4 in 5 Scots (78%) are unaware of their recommended daily iron intake.

The NHS recommends that an average man needs 8.7mg of iron per day, while a woman needs almost double - 14.8mg per day - to support normal immunity, red blood cells and energy levels. To reach these targets, women would need to eat 2kg of broccoli or 2 cans of chickpeas a day!

With 75% of women and 82% of men admitting they don’t understand their iron needs, Make it Scotch is urging people to consider a wide variety foods, including red meat, to get enough iron into their diets.

According to nutritional data, lean beef provides 2.7mg of iron per 100g serving, making it an effective and delicious way to contribute to daily iron requirements, plus the iron in red meat is also better absorbed by the body than iron in plant and fortified foods. Besides iron, beef is also rich in other essential nutrients like protein, vitamin B12, zinc and niacin, which all contribute to overall health and well-being.

A practical way to increase your iron intake is by making quick nutritious meals using cuts of Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork which has been born and reared for its whole life in Scotland on trusted quality assured farms. Pairing quality assured Scotch meat with iron-rich foods such as green vegetables and beans, which also provide vitamin C and fibre, can get you off to a really good start. A great example is Make it Scotch’s Seared Scotch Beef Steak Poké Bowl - a deliciously healthy dish which not only offers a substantial amount of your daily iron needs (7.9mg per serving) but combines a variety of other healthy nutrients in a balanced and flavourful meal.

You can find the full recipe below and a step-by-step guide here.

Dr Carrie Ruxton, Dietitian said: “Iron deficiency affects around one in ten women and girls while four in ten of us have low iron stores in our bodies. Being chronically low in iron can lead to health issues if not taken seriously, including fatigue, weakened immunity, brain fog and breathlessness.

“It's essential for us all to be aware of our iron needs and how to meet them through a balanced and varied diet. Scotch Beef, for example, is one of the best available sources of iron and suitable for all ages. Whether it’s mince, cubes or steaks, Scotch Beef is very versatile and simple to incorporate into the diet and makes a delicious main meal. In addition, any beef that carries the blue Scotch Beef logo is guaranteed to be locally sourced, quality assured and farmed with care which makes it a great choice.

“Getting in your daily requirements of iron and other nutrients doesn’t need to be a challenge when you have amazing recipes such as the Seared Scotch Beef Steak Poké Bowl, which is a favourite in my household.”

For more information on Make it Scotch, visit https://makeitscotch.com/