New research from Quality Meat Scotland’s Make it Scotch campaign has highlighted a concerning nutritional gap affecting women across the country.
During World Iron Awareness Week independent research commissioned by Make it Scotch revealed that almost half of Scottish women are either ‘not confident’ or ‘unsure’ whether their diet provides enough iron to support their energy levels and overall health. The findings come as average red meat intakes in Scotland have fallen below the daily 70g limit set by government experts, with women consuming significantly less red meat than men.
Iron plays a vital role in daily life, from powering through the morning school run to fuelling gym workouts. It enables the body to release energy from food, supports red blood cell production for oxygen transport, and keeps the immune system functioning effectively. Without sufficient iron, fatigue can set in, endurance can drop, and recovery times can lengthen.
Recognition Without Action
The survey found that whilst 93% of women recognised tiredness and low energy as key signs of iron deficiency, they were less familiar with other symptoms including shortness of breath, headaches, brain fog and difficulty concentrating.
On a positive note, more than half of respondents said they would consider increasing their red meat intake to help combat fatigue. Scotch Beef provides a rich natural source of iron that is more easily absorbed by the body than iron from plant sources. Thanks to the “Iron Plus” effect, eating fresh red meat alongside foods such as beans, lentils and greens can even help the body absorb more iron from these plant-based sources.
Expert voices unite on Portobello Beach
To raise awareness during Iron Awareness Week, Make it Scotch brought together three inspirational women on Portobello Beach: Scottish swimming ace Lili Mundell, PE teacher and aquathlon competitor Rachel Fraser, and best-selling author and nutritionist Amanda Hamilton.
Amanda Hamilton explained how low iron levels can go unnoticed. She said: “Fatigue can creep in so gradually that it becomes the ‘new normal’ – but it doesn’t have to be that way. Choosing natural sources of iron, such as Scotch Beef, can make a real difference. During World Iron Awareness Week, we want to inspire women to think about what’s on their plate and how it fuels them.”
Lili Mundell highlighted the impact on athletic performance and said: “Without adequate iron in the body, the muscles don’t get enough oxygen, which can lead to fatigue and lowered aerobic capacity. This campaign is about showing that small changes to your diet can have a big impact on your energy and performance.”
Rachel Fraser said: “As a PE teacher, I see firsthand how vital energy is for teenage girls. Yet they are often even more disproportionately affected by low iron, with the national diet and nutrition study pointing to 1 in 4 women and half of teenage girls suffering iron deficiency. It can affect concentration, mood, and performance in sport and school. The good news is there are plenty of simple, family‑friendly ways to boost iron intake through a healthy balanced diet – Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork are also excellent natural sources of haem iron, and can be used in easy, nutritious dishes that everyone at home will enjoy.”
Quality Meat Scotland
Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is the public body responsible for promoting the UK GI labelled Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb brands in the UK and abroad, as well as the Scottish Pork Industry’s flagship brand, Specially Selected Pork. Make it Scotch is the consumer-focused arm of Quality Meat Scotland.
QMS helps Scotland’s £2.8 billion red meat sector maximise its positive impact on wealth, health, and the environment, supporting more than 39,000 jobs in rural areas. An impressive 90% of Scotland’s cattle, sheep and pig livestock farmed for red meat are part of internationally recognised assurance schemes under the Scotch Beef (UKGI), Scotch Lamb (UKGI) and Specially Selected Pork brands, giving consumers a legal guarantee that the meat has come from animals raised to the highest standards.
For recipe inspiration to boost iron intake, including the Beef and Broccoli Buddha Bowl, which contributes 43% of the recommended daily intake for iron, visit makeitscotch.com.
