Diet and nutrition that includes red meat play a key role in pregnancy – that was the key message from Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) to over 500 midwives at the recent Wales and South West Maternity and Midwifery Festival.
Joining the event in Bath on September 17, a professional development event for midwives featuring talks, research seminars, networking opportunities and exhibitions, HCC engaged with midwives to ensure health and nutrition messaging relating to red meat reaches health professionals, expectant mothers and young families.
At the event, HCC shared its latest evidence-based resources on red meat for health professionals as well as information, advice and healthy and balanced recipe ideas to share with colleagues, patients and families.
HCC’s Consumer Executive, Elwen Roberts, explained: “We were really pleased to be able to engage with midwives as part of our work here at HCC. Working with health professionals has always been a key element of our strategy and midwives provide such invaluable support and advice to families in communities up and down the country.
“With that in mind, we wanted to take the opportunity to communicate evidence-based messages around red meat and nutrition, which are pertinent to midwives and their patients. Diet and nutrition play a key role in pregnancy and lean red meat such as Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef are good sources protein, iron zinc, magnesium and B vitamins.”
Elwen continued: “Pregnant women are at high risk of not getting enough iron which can lead to iron deficiency and leave us feeling tired, weak and irritable. But animal-based iron sources such as Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef contain haem iron which is more easily absorbed by the body and can help the body absorb iron from plant-based sources such as spinach or broccoli too.”
Julie Richards, Director for Royal College of Midwives, commented: “We’re all aware of the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet, but with busy jobs, family commitments and limited time, making it a reality can sometimes seem impossible. The good news is that making some small, simple changes to how we shop, cook and eat can help healthy eating fit into a busy working day.
“The information and resources provided by Hybu Cig Cymru are helpful for midwives to be able to discuss with pregnant women and their families, and share some ideas that, with a bit of forward planning, prove it’s possible that ‘something quick’ can also be healthy, filling and delicious.”
