Nutrition and exercise are crucial to general health and well being. Making the right choices about what we eat and taking regular exercise can protect against a huge number of common illnesses. Healthy eating is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle.

Meat, poultry or their alternatives make up one of the five food groups that are essential to a balanced diet. The group is generally considered the protein provider but also contains a number of other important nutrients for the body.

Meat and poultry contain vitamins and minerals, such as iron, selenium, zinc, and B vitamins in varying levels depending on the species and the cut of the meat. For example red meats contain higher levels of iron whereas poultry contains higher levels of selenium and B vitamins.

Nutrient Benefits:

Protein

Proteins are required to build, function and maintain the body’s cells, organs and tissues. If you have an accident, undergo surgery, or have an illness, you need protein help you to recover and to repair your body. Protein also builds antibodies, which help you fight off illness and infection.

Iron

Iron helps make red blood cells, which carry oxygen in your bloodstream to all the cells of the body. Approximately two thirds of the iron in your body is found in haemoglobin, the red pigment of red blood cells. The rest is stored in your liver, spleen, muscles and bone marrow. It helps keep your hair and nails strong and protects you against infections.

B Vitamins

B vitamins are important in metabolism, forming red blood cells and in the maintenance of the central nervous system.

B3 (Niacin) helps produce energy from the foods we eat and to keep the digestive system healthy. It helps develop and maintain healthy skin and is important for nerve function. Niacin can also block the production of cholesterol in the body, therefore can playing an important part in the fight against heart disease.

B6 (Pyridoxine) helps the body to break down and absorb the energy from protein and carbohydrates eaten. Once broken down protein works to repair tissues such as muscle and to form red blood cells. Pyridoxine can also be involved in keeping your skin healthy and the formation of antibodies, which help fight infection.

B12 (Cobalamin) helps to make red blood cells, and plays a vital role in the formation and maintenance of the protective layer around each nerve, which allows for the quick transmission of nerve impulses. Cobalamin is also needed to process folic acid, which helps release energy for food and helps with growth and building genetic material.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps to absorb and regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which in turn help keep bones and teeth healthy.

Zinc

Zinc plays a pivotal role in a number of your body’s functions. Helping to rid the body of harmful metals such as lead and cadmium. It’s important for the release of insulin and for keeping the senses of taste, sight and smell in good working order. Zinc is a required element in more than 100 enzymes that are essential to digestion and metabolism. Helping to process the carbohydrate, fat and protein in the food we eat. It is also important for growth, especially in children, strong immunity, making new cells and healing. The body has no specific reserves of zinc and it is, therefore, essential to obtain it from regular dietary intake.

Magnesium

Magnesium is important to a wide variety of functions throughout the body. It helps the transportation of glucose in the bloodstream and the release of the hormone insulin, which in turn helps control blood sugar levels. It is important for bone and tooth health and helps muscles and nerves function. I also helps activate enzymes needed to release energy in body and make proteins.

Selenium

Selenium plays a role in our immune system's function and is part of the body's antioxidant defence system, preventing damage to cells and tissues. It also bonds with metals such as mercury and arsenic, which can prevent them from causing illness.

Copper

Copper helps produce red and white blood cells, connective tissue and nerve fibres. It stimulates iron absorption and is a component of several enzymes, including ones needed to make skin, hair and other pigments. Copper also assists in the function of the proteins that make you grow.