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GET ON THE ROAD TO A HEALTHY NEW YEAR WITH QUALITY ASSURED SCOTCH RED MEAT

AT the start of a new year, many of us are looking to take a fresh look at our health and wellbeing and start as we mean to go on. And one nutrition expert says Scotch red meat - which is packed with protein and vital nutrients - can help set you on the road to success as well as supporting Scottish farmers..

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To carry the Scottish red meat industry’s premium brands – Scotch Beef UKGI, Scotch Lamb UKGI and Specially Selected Pork – livestock must have been born and reared in Scotland and spent their entire life on quality assured farms. When you see these logos in supermarkets and butchers’ shops, you can be sure the meat you are buying is locally sourced, quality assured and farmed with care – and that you will enjoy top quality, beef, lamb or pork that is delicious, nutritious and delivers an exceptional eating experience for everyone.

Scotch Beef with Broccoli Stir fry

Sweet and Sour Specially Selected Pork Noodles

Preparation time 20 minutes Cooking time 35-40 minutes Serves Serves 4

Harissa Scotch Lamb and Sweet Potato Traybake with Roasted Garlic Yoghurt

Preparation time 5 minutes Cooking time 25 minutes Serves Serves 4

METHOD In a wok fry the red onion, garlic and ginger for a couple of minutes Add the Chinese five spice, soy sauce, oyster sauce, tomato puree, lemon juice and wine (or sherry) Cook for one minute, then transfer to a bowl Put the thinly sliced broccoli into a bowl, cover with boiling water and leave for 10 minutes Heat the additional rapeseed oil in a wok, cook the thinly sliced rump steaks in hot oil in the wok for 6 - 7 minutes until browned Drain the broccoli, then add to the wok along with the red onion mix Heat the mixture gently for a few minutes until heated through and serve with rice or noodles

YOU NEED 1 tbsp olive oil 8 Scotch Lamb loin chops 2 red onions, chopped into wedges 3 large sweet potatoes, scrubbed and chopped into chunks 2 red peppers, deseeded and chopped into chunks 2 large garlic cloves, skin on and pierced 2 tbsps harissa 1 tsp sea salt flakes 1 400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 70g raisins Half a bunch of flat leaf parsley, finely chopped plus extra for garnish 1 lemon, zest and juice 100g low-fat natural yoghurt

METHOD Preheat the oven to 180°C fan/200°C. Add the olive oil, red onions, sweet potatoes, red peppers and garlic cloves to a large roasting tray. Add the harissa and salt and toss everything together so it is well coated in the harissa. Roast for 25 minutes. Once the vegetables have had 25 minutes, add the chickpeas and raisins to the tray and stir. Turn the oven up to 200°C fan/220°C. Nestle the lamb loin chops into the vegetables and roast for a further 15-20 minutes near the top of the oven. After 15-20 minutes, remove the tray from the oven, remove the 2 garlic cloves and cover the tray with foil to allow the lamb to rest while you make the yoghurt dressing. Add the yoghurt to a bowl with a handful of the chopped parsley and lemon zest and juice. Squeeze the roasted garlic out of its skins and mash into the yoghurt. Mix and season to taste. Serve the roasted vegetables topped with the chops and a dollop of the yoghurt.

Iron power: Essential for healthy red blood cells, iron in red meat is easily absorbed and works even better when paired with vitamin C from fruits and vegetables Energy and vitality: Red meat is a rich natural source of vitamin B12, which helps fight tiredness and fatigue, boosts energy production and supports a healthy immune system Strong muscles: High in protein and potassium, red meat helps maintain muscle mass and function and keeps us feeling fuller for longer. Protein also supports bone development in children Sharp mind: Zinc and iron in red meat, especially beef, which helps aid cognitive function, supporting mood and mental wellbeing. Immunity boost: Beef, lamb, and pork provide vitamins B6, B12, and zinc for a strong immune system, while vitamin D supports bone health and immunity, helping our bodies fight the bugs that are around at this time of year.

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Visit makeitscotch.com or Make it Scotch on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok for more quick and easy recipe ideas for Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork.

NUTRITIOUS & DELICIOUS MEALS AT HOME

YOU NEED 600g lean Scotch Beef rump steaks 150g tender stem broccoli, thinly sliced 1 x large red onion, thinly sliced 1 x tsp Chinese five spice powder 20ml light soy sauce 2 tsp oyster sauce (this can be substituted with one dessert spoon of Worcestershire sauce) 15g piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced 1 x large clove garlic, thinly sliced 20g tomato puree Juice of 1 lemon 50ml sherry or white wine (this can be substituted with 25ml white wine vinegar) 30ml Scottish rapeseed oil - plus extra to fry the steaks, approximately 1 tsp. Your choice of rice or noodles

Tom is the fourth generation of his family to run multi award-winning Grierson Bros Butchers in Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway. He joined the firm straight from school and is passionate about serving his customers premium quality meat that has only been reared on Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) assured holdings. He says: “All our meat is locally sourced, and Scotch assured, so it’s guaranteed to offer the very best eating experience. “Our Specially Selected Pork comes from a farm near Lockerbie. I’ve known the farmers I work with for years and I know that their animals are reared properly, to the highest welfare standards. “That’s so important to me because it’s the right way to do things, supporting local businesses and giving our customers the highest quality products too. “Everything we sell is Scottish, right the way through.”

When Scott Baptie, 38, started blogging about his own health and fitness journey 15 years ago, he could never have imagined how far it would take him.

The former IT Project Manager has featured on the front cover of Men’s Health Magazine, has done high-profile podcasts and launched his high-protein recipes company - Food For Fitness - from his base in rural Aberdeenshire. Now Scott is sharing some of his top tips for getting your health on the right track in 2025. And that includes having Scotch red meat as part of your weekly meal plan. Only ever born and reared on Scottish farms to incredibly high welfare standards, Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork is meat produced with integrity, quality assured for its whole life on trusted local farms.

Scott says...

Adding more protein to your diet can be a game-changer. Protein isn’t just for muscle- building gym buffs – it helps control hunger and keeps you feeling fuller for longer. It also burns more calories during digestion compared to carbs and fats. Red meat is high in lean protein, contains iron and zinc and packed with vitamins B6 and B12 - it is a nutrient powerhouse! Cuts like sirloin steak, pork fillet, or lamb chops can be great options as part of a balanced diet. Pair these with vegetables or whole grains to create a balanced and nutritious meal rather than reaching for pricey supplements.

1. Red meat is high in protein

2. Don’t Cut Out, Just Cut Back

Think you need to give up bread, cheese, or chocolate? Cutting out your favourite foods entirely often leads to cravings and eventual overindulgence. Instead, practice moderation—for example, enjoy crisps every other day, have chocolate only on weekends, or a couple of glasses of wine or beers one night a week. It’s better to be consistently good than occasionally perfect. I’m a big fan of the Mediterranean approach; you eat a range of meat, fish and vegetables and can still enjoy a glass of wine, cake or sweet treats like honey soaked Baklava – just not to excess. Life’s too short for food FOMO.

3. Make Tiny Tweaks, Not Grand Overhauls

Forget fad diets that promise the world if you only eat celery for six weeks or stocking up on some super food that costs a fortune. Make small changes and simple swaps that are easy to stick to. Swap white bread for brown, sugary drinks for no-sugar options, or ditch the fry up and get an air fryer. Little habits like these snowball into big results without turning your life upside down. Focus on finding out more about what you eat - like where your food comes from. Did you know that Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork is meat that’s farmed with care and is whole of life and whole of supply chain assured? Plus, choosing locally sourced red meat is a great way to support our farmers here in Scotland and reduce food miles, so it is better for the environment too.

4. Get Creative with Your Cooking

Since most of us eat red meat with carbs like potatoes, pasta or rice, along with vegetables or salad, including Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork at mealtimes is an ideal way to contribute to a healthy, balanced diet. Turn your plate into a vibrant rainbow – not just because it looks appealing but because it delivers a wide range of vitamins and nutrients. Experiment with roasted carrots, red peppers, or green spinach and kale. Adding colourful foods makes healthy eating enjoyable and boosts your vitamin intake without too much effort. Don’t be afraid to stray from set recipes – bulking dishes out with veggies you have left over in the fridge is a great way to cut food waste and boost your fibre intake too.

5. Cheaper Cuts of Meat are Just as Tasty

Lots of us are feeling the pinch post-Christmas – but that doesn’t mean having to compromise on quality. If you are on a tight budget, try things like Specially Selected Pork shoulder or mince. Pork is very versatile, packed with protein and full of flavour. Use a mix of Specially Selected Pork and Scotch Beef mince in things like Bolognese – or pork mince by itself in Mexican dishes like fajitas or quesadillas. Your local butcher is a great source of advice and inspiration when it comes to buying meat to suit all budgets. Doubling up on quantities when you’re cooking is another pocket-friendly way to make meals go further. Slow cookers are great because you can throw loads of ingredients in and make enough for eight meals – that’s dinner for one night and a meal you can pop into the freezer to have another day.

What are the health benefits of Scotch red meat?

Scotch red meat is a nutritional powerhouse that’s naturally low in salt, packed with protein, and full of essential nutrients, making it perfect for a balanced diet. Here are five key ways it can help to boost your health:

Scotch red meat contains three nutrients which are important for children’s growth and development. Protein and phosphorus are needed for normal growth and development of their bones, while iron helps with the normal learning and cognitive development. Making sure children eat a diet packed with plenty of fruit and veg, as well as lean red meat, will give them the perfect balance of nutrients.

"Meating" kids' growth needs

PROTEIN

PHOSPHOROUS

IRON

Scotch red meat boosts iron for women and girls

Being low in iron can cause a number of issues such as fatigue, weakened immunity, brain fog and breathlessness. But eating a balanced and varied diet is an easy way to boost our iron levels. Scotch Beef is one of the best sources of iron available and pairing it with other iron- rich foods like green veg – like broccoli, spinach or cabbage – is a great way to increase your iron intake, as well as vitamin C and fibre.

Did you know that one in 10 women and girls in Scotland are iron deficient and that four in 10 have low iron stores in their bodies?

Nutritionist Scott Baptie

Source: National Diet and Nutrition Study.