Ahead of World Iron Awareness Week – that kicks off on the 14th October, we partnered with Welsh elite athlete, Adelé Nicoll to highlight the importance of iron within a balanced diet and to showcase the nutritional benefits of Welsh red meat as a great source of iron. Grass-fed red meat, such as PGI Welsh Lamb, is rich in protein and is packed with nutrients including vitamins A and B2, calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc.
In a cunning twist on the Ironman triathlon competition, we created an ‘Iron (Wo)man Food Challenge’, where we tasked Adelé with creating three nutritious meals using the same cut of lamb to showcase its versatility, in this instance using Welsh Lamb leg steaks as a base for all three recipes. With an intense training schedule, preparing healthy and filling meals in a short amount of time is crucial for Adelé and so, for her first recipe, she served up a quick and simple Welsh Lamb fajita dish. The perfect mid-week meal, this fajita recipe is great for when you need something nutritious -and fast!
Being an international athlete competing in both bobsleigh and shotput, Adelé is more aware than most of the importance of a healthy, balanced diet. Iron is a mineral required by the body for several different roles including making red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body and helps to maintain a healthy immune system.
Data shows that over three-quarters of women aged 19-64 are falling short of the recommended daily amount of iron (76%) with 25% affected by low-iron intake. Low iron levels can significantly impact your daily life – from feelings of fatigue to low energy levels and endurance. And so, for athletes like Adelé, getting the right amounts into your diet is crucial.
“A great way to boost iron levels, is to prioritise iron-rich foods in your diet. Look at incorporating more animal-based iron sources, such as red meat, into your meals, coupled with plant-based options such as leafy greens, beans and nuts. Red meat is a haem iron, which put simply, means it’s easier for the body to absorb it and the iron in the meat will help absorb the non-haem iron from the plant-based sources. Iron is such an important mineral and is a key part of healthy, balanced diet.”
Adelé’s second recipe was one of her all-time favourite dishes – a Welsh Lamb ramen. Packed with iron as well as flavour, this is another dish that can be recreated at home in very little time and it’s a great way of incorporating a load of healthy veggies into mealtimes.
“Having been raised in rural mid-Wales, I’ve seen first-hand how Welsh Lamb is sustainably reared in unique, untouched landscapes. Premium quality Welsh Lamb is reared using traditional farming techniques, which ensures the highest possible standards from farm to fork, and that’s why I’m passionate about supporting local produce.”
For her third and final recipe, Adelé treated us to a Welsh Lamb and sweet potato curry, packed full of nutrients and the perfect dish for these autumnal evenings. With minimal prep but delivering maximum flavour, this homemade Welsh Lamb curry is great for busy families and athletes alike.
Discover more delicious Welsh Lamb recipes here, or head to our dedicated health pages to learn more about the nutritional benefits of Welsh red meat as part of a healthy, balanced diet.