The agricultural industry has faced some tough challenges this year already, which has taken a toll on mental health and wellbeing across the country. Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) together with the DPJ Foundation are therefore encouraging people to get together this BBQ week (3 – 9 June) get their grill on and share the load.
Whilst summer is a busy time for the industry, it is important to incorporate some down time, spend quality time with family and friends and enjoy a healthy, balanced diet.
“When we are stressed, our mental health can take a knock. It is so important that we look after our mental health but also consider healthy nutrition as part of our self-care. Packed with these essential vitamins and minerals, a balanced diet with lean red meat at its core can help us throughout our lives to keep fit and well.
“Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef make a great addition to any BBQ and sitting with our loved ones whilst enjoying some great food, is a brilliant way to bring those things together,” said Liz Hunter, HCC’s Senior Digital Marketing Officer.
Eating up to 500g of cooked red meat per week can be central to a healthy and balanced diet. Red meat is naturally rich in protein and the vitamins and minerals it contains offer many health benefits. For example, it can support our bodies’ blood pressure control; eye and skin health; bone health; muscle and nervous function; reproductive health; hair and nails; oxygen transport to prevent us feeling tired; along with immune function and cognitive function. It can also help us with concentration and can offer us sustained energy to get on with our daily lives.
Red meat contains the types of iron and zinc that are better absorbed by our bodies than those found in any other dietary sources. Haem iron from red meat is 2-6 times better absorbed than non-haem iron sources.
To support the DPJ’s Big Summer BBQ campaign, HCC has also provided online inspiration for BBQ recipes which use the best of PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef.
“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. So if you’re looking for inspiration on what to put on the BBQ, look no further! We’ve shared some of our favourite recipes which can be downloaded from the DPJ Foundation website – after all, what BBQ worth its salt doesn’t have a display of sizzling beef burgers on it or showcases some delicious Welsh lamb sizzlers?,” added Liz.
Kate Miles, Charity Manager at the DPJ Foundation added: "We are pleased to be launching the DPJ Big BBQ during BBQ Week and no barbecue is complete without some red meat. Our main driver in this campaign is to bring people together around a barbecue to build connections and combat isolation, but also by eating a balanced and healthy diet packed full or nutrients this also boost mental and physical health.
“We hope that people across the country will bring out their barbecues to pull people together this summer to boost connections and strengthen mental health. For those who would like to get involved, there are more details on our website."
The DPJ Big Summer BBQ website can be accessed here: https://www.thedpjfoundation.co.uk/bigbbq/
Further Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef BBQ recipes can be accessed here: https://eatwelshlambandwelshbeef.com/bbq/
