Public bodies to prepare plans making good quality food accessible to all
Health boards and local authorities will develop wide-ranging plans to help ensure good quality, locally sourced and produced food is a practical everyday reality for everyone under new legislation.
The Good Food Nation Bill will ensure Scottish Ministers and a range of public bodies will produce good food nation plans to support social and economic wellbeing, the environment, health and economic development.
The Bill lays the foundation for Scotland to become a Good Food Nation where people from all walks of life take pride and pleasure from the food they produce, buy, cook and eat each day.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “We are committed to ensuring everyone in Scotland has access to healthy, nutritious fare and that businesses and public kitchens commit to producing, selling and serving good food.
“Organisations can play a leading role in this process – looking at how they boost local procurement, cut down food waste and packaging, use in-season produce as well disposing of food waste in an environmentally friendly way.
“But that’s not all. For example, a wide ranging food education can equip school pupils with the key skills they need to cook tasty, nutritious meals using the incredible array of world-class produce we have, but also to make informed food choices when they are away from home.
“We have been working across government through an extensive programme of measures to deliver on our ambition to be a Good Food Nation and our work to deliver action and practical measures will continue throughout this Parliament, not least to encourage the use of sustainable local produce and to help our children eat well.”
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK
With the August bank holiday coming up tomorrow, what will you do with your extra day off? Why not follow our tips to bank some heart health and still have a good time.
Hearty BBQ
If the sun is shining this bank holiday weekend, it could be the perfect time to fire up the BBQ and try some healthy alternatives to traditional burgers and sausages. Tuna steaks can be sliced and flavoured with lime, ginger and coriander for a healthy zesty burger alternative. Why not roast some veggies on the BBQ, such as corn on the cob or vegetable skewers.
Raise your game
Games like basketball and swing ball can be a fun way of entertaining the kids or catching up with friends in the garden or park. Don’t let the threat of rain stop the fun, there are plenty of indoor activities, such as trampolining, indoor skating and swimming.
Take to the streets
With carnivals, markets and food events back on the calendar, make sure you know how to spot some heart healthy street food. Simple swaps can go a long way towards a healthier heart and still tingle the taste buds; try out some delicious vegetarian options for a meat free alternative that’s packed with goodness; go for a side of corn on the cob or baked sweet potato wedges instead of fries.
Laugh and dance
For a healthy heart it’s important to keep the oxygen and blood flowing. What better way to do this than to have a good laugh and a boogie with your family and friends.
However you choose to spend your extra day, try to make your bank holiday count towards a healthier, happier and longer life with those you love.
The world’s first Non-Fungible Token (NFT) auction of an advertising campaign opens to bidders yesterday (August 2nd 2021) for seven days (ends August 8th 2021), and it’s all for a good cause.
Ekstasy, an award-winning London based creative advertising agency, has launched the NFT auction to support food charity Magic Breakfast.
It is the first creative advertising agency to raise money for a charity in this innovative way. The winning bidder will win a campaign created by Ekstasy that consists of TV, digital out of home and radio advertising. This is a new and exciting way to raise money for charity. The NFT ad campaign, consisting of three assets (TV 30 sec, digital out of home 10 sec and radio ads 30 sec), will be auctioned via Opensea.io.
Magic Breakfast is a charity that provides nutritious breakfasts to around 170,000 vulnerable children each school day.
There are an estimated 2 million children in the UK at risk of starting the day hungry. Since its launch 20 years ago, Magic Breakfast has been providing schoolchildren in disadvantaged areas of the UK with healthy breakfasts to ensure they have the energy and nutrition to make the most of their morning lessons.
A hungry child cannot focus on their learning, which can negatively impact their educational attainment and may, in the long run, affect their professional careers.
Child hunger has reached a crisis point this year, with a growing awareness of the issue facing families throughout the UK. Earlier this year, Magic Breakfast teamed up with footballer and anti-poverty campaigner Marcus Rashford and Macmillan Children’s Books to donate 50,000 books to children in their partner schools to launch The Marcus Rashford Book Club to help reach children who may not have access to books at home.
Funds raised from the sale of the NFTs created by Ekstasy will allow the charity to continue to work towards its mission that no child is too hungry to learn.
Magic Breakfast is a cause close to the heart of Ekstasy’s Founder and CEO, Mike Saraswat. Mike faced food insecurity whilst in his first year of university and found that his learning was impacted due to lack of food.
Mike said: “I relied on one meal a day for several months and would ask for extra fries at the university cafe so that I would not have to buy dinner. I was already extremely hungry due to lack of breakfast; launching this NFT is my way of giving back”. Mike now runs Ekstasy, a successful agency, and wanted to give back by shining a light on this topic using the medium of cutting edge NFT technology.
On the campaign, Mike said, “The dreams of so many young children are being hindered by lack of good meals, especially breakfast, which we know helps children to focus during lessons and make the most of their education.
Magic Breakfast is a fantastic charity, and I am delighted to be helping them raise funds and awareness for their cause using the new-age medium of NFTs. Technology has the potential for good if used with the right intent.”
Emily Wilkie, Head of Fundraising at Magic Breakfast said, “We are so grateful to Ekstasy for drawing attention to the urgent issue of child hunger in the UK. A healthy breakfast can have a transformative effect on a hungry child’s ability to learn and enjoy their mornings at school.
Money raised from the auction will allow Magic Breakfast to reach even more children at risk of morning hunger and ensure that no child in our partner schools is too hungry to learn.”
Magic Breakfast and Ekstasy are inviting bids for this NFT auction through:
Best Start Foods payments are increasing this month marking the achievement of another commitment for the first 100 days of the Scottish Government.
Social Security Minister (and local MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith) Ben Macpherson paid a visit to Fresh Start’s Pantry on Ferry Road Drive at lunchtime to meet staff and customers who are benefitting from the payments.
The payment supports low income families to buy healthy food for children under the age of three, and forms part of the Scottish Government’s national mission of eradicating child poverty.
Best Start Foods is part of a package of five family payments administered by Social Security Scotland. It is made every four weeks on a pre-paid card to buy healthy food including eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables and pulses. The payment is increasing to £18 from £17 during pregnancy and for any children between one and three years old. It’s also increasing to £36 from £34 for children under one.
Between December 2018 when the first payment started and 31 May 2021, £60.8 million has been paid to 179,575 families for Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods -£16.7 million of these payments were for Best Start Foods.
Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson said: “Unwarranted welfare cuts by the UK Government and the impacts of the pandemic are putting even greater pressure on family budgets.
“It’s our priority to do everything within our power to eradicate child poverty across Scotland. We committed to increasing Best Start Foods within the first 100 days of this Government and we have swiftly delivered.
“We have also delivered on our 100 day commitment to pay £100 as part of Scottish Child Payment Bridging Payments worth £520 in both 2020 and 2021. Families will now have received £200 for each eligible child this year, almost two years ahead of the planned full roll-out of Scottish Child Payment for older children.
“We are set to invest £77 million both this year and next through this measure which is expected to benefit around 145,000 children and young people in receipt of Free School Meals on the basis of low income.
“Families in Scotland now have a unique package of payments that will help them as their child grows and I encourage all families on low incomes to check what they are entitled to. There are many forms of support available to ensure every child in Scotland has the best start in life.”
Further information on all five family payment can be found by visiting:
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK
Peel-to-Stem
In the UK, it is estimated that we waste 6.6million tonnes of food each year, with 4.5million tonnes of that being edible food. “Peel-to-Stem” or “Root-to-Stem” is a growing food trend that focuses on using the parts of fruits and vegetables that we wouldn’t typically eat, such as the leaves, skins, seeds, and stalks.
Quite often, we may throw away and waste parts of fruits and vegetables such as the skins, but quite often, these parts can actually be the most nutritious.
For example, vegetables and potatoes consumed with their skins on can contain more fibre than without the skins, and a lot of nutrients found within fruits are contained in or just under the skin. Increasing your fibre intake can help to reduce your risk of heart disease.
Here are some quick and easy ways that you can use the edible trimmings from fruits and vegetables:
Make your own vegetable stock by simmering peelings from spring onions, carrots, and parsnips; and add celery leaves/tips to add flavour to soups, stews, and ramens
Make cauliflower crisps by baking slices of cauliflower at 200 degrees Celsius for 20-25minutes until they have crisped up.
Cut broccoli and cauliflower stems into batons and add to a stir fry to bulk out the vegetables; adding one of your five-a-day.
Don’t throw the seeds away from your pumpkins; remove any stringy bits from the seeds, wash, and bake at 180 degree Celsius for 10minutes for a tasty snack.
Make potato wedges with the skins on to add fibre to your homemade wedges, just give the potatoes a good wash first.
If you have any citrus fruit peelings left over from oranges, lemons, or limes; use these to make a favourable citrus marmalade; or add to water with ice cubes or crushed ice to make a refreshing glass of flavoured water.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK
A survey by Action on Salt has found that second to bread, bacon is one of the biggest contributors of salt to the UK diet, with many brands containing at least as much salt as seawater!
Too much salt in your diet can cause your body to hold onto more water which puts pressure on your heart and arteries by increasing your blood volume. This weekend, why not start the day in a heart-healthy way?
Here are a few tips below for doing just that:
Reduce Processed Meats
Try swapping processed meats like bacon, for healthy protein sources such as oily fish (salmon, pilchards, mackerel) or eggs. When it comes to salt, try to avoid ‘canned in brine’ and ‘smoked’ options and instead opt for grilled or baked fish and add your own choice of salt-free flavouring.
Crushed black pepper, chopped tomatoes, lemon, herbs, or even turmeric can all add extra flavour to your meal, without the added salt.
Swap out Breads
Moderately processed foods such as wholegrain bread can be eaten in moderation, but there are other options if your goal is to reduce your salt intake. Why not try serving a poached egg on a baked Portobello mushroom instead of bread, or cook up a naked veggie burger or burrito?
For added taste, crisp up your vegetables with a light spray of rapeseed oil, and add a little paprika and black pepper. Wilted spinach, vine tomatoes, grilled peppers and chia seeds will also add colour and flavour to your meal.
Maximise your Fruit and Vegetables
Vegetables and fruits are a great source of nutrients and contain little-to-no salt whilst ‘bulking up’ your meal.
Smoothies are also a great way to get one of your ‘5-a-day’ and they can be really filling and yummy too. Be sure to stick to no more than 150ml per day to maintain healthy daily sugar levels as it can be easy to consume lots in one go when fruit is blended.
As an alternative breakfast why not try our Banana Breakfast Smoothie recipe or try adding a handful of fresh fruit to your morning porridge?
THE UNIVERSITY of Edinburgh is being recognised as a UK leader in the drive to encourage the consumption of more fresh vegetables, after it was presented an award by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
In recognition of the commitment to a challenging pledge with stretched targets to be achieved by 2023, most notably to increase the weight of vegetables developed in recipes – the University’s catering team was rewarded with the “Peas Please – Rising Star” award and was up against other shortlisted companies including national restaurant chain Zizzi.
Announcing the win on a video ceremony on 24 June, the celebrity chef and campaigner remarked on the University of Edinburgh’s far-reaching ambitions and commitment to sourcing local and seasonal produce.
The Peas Please initiative is focused on making it easier for everyone to eat vegetables. The initiative released its latest Veg Facts 2021 report and found 18,000 premature deaths a year in the UK can been influenced by a poor diet and lack of vegetables and legumes.
The report also found 77% of adults eat fewer portions of vegetables than recommended by the UK Government’s EatWell guide.
Ian Macaulay, Director Catering, University of Edinburgh Accommodation, Catering and Events (ACE), said: “We are thrilled to receive this accolade. There have been significant challenges this past year due to Covid-19; so being shortlisted, and subsequently winning has been very rewarding.
“Through it all we’ve been working with our suppliers to source brilliant ingredients, including from some of Scotland’s best producers.
“There is still a way to go – and we are always looking to improve our catering service both by listening to our customers but also providing means for healthier living.
“Our pledge to Peas Please shows our ongoing commitment and dedication to adapt to growing needs and set new targets that underpin the University’s Good Food Policy.”
The Peas Please initiative is focused on making it easier for everyone to eat vegetables. The initiative released its latest Veg Facts 2021 report and found 18,000 premature deaths a year in the UK can been influenced by a poor diet and lack of vegetables and legumes.
The catering team are not only committed to increasing the amount of vegetables served (currently 50% of all meals are vegetarian and plant-based) but also committed to promoting vegetables in their Student Cook Schools and to make vegetables more accessible, appealing and affordable across university cafes.
Meals and products will now contain a greater proportion of vegetables, with an increase in weight from 90g to 150g.
Vegan hot meal options are also now a permanent addition to retail outlets with seasonal and local vegetables used on a rotational basis. Customers can switch potato portions for vegetables at no extra cost.
As department of the University of Edinburgh, Accommodation, Catering and Events’ main focus is the accommodation and residential welfare of more than 10,000 students, which highlights the importance of influencing eating habits in young adult life.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK
Vegetarian picnics
National Vegetarian Week: 10th to 16th May 2021
National Vegetarian Week runs from 10th to 16th May 2021, and what better time to try out a meat-free diet? A vegetarian diet can be a great way to add colour, texture and variety and it is also generally lower in saturated fat and higher in fibre, which is great news for your heart. We provide tips for getting you started with a healthy vegetarian picnic.
Meat alternatives
Meat is high in protein and finding alternatives can be challenging. There are many meat substitutes available in shops and supermarkets that can add variety to your picnic.
Some meat substitutes, such as vegetarian sausage rolls and Scotch eggs are high in fat and salt and should only be eaten in small quantities. Try swapping meat and fish for protein-rich vegetarian foods in your picnic, such as tofu, beans, pulses, unsalted nuts, seeds, eggs and reduced calorie yoghurts.
Include a variety of foods
If you do not eat a wide variety of vegetarian foods, you could miss out on essential nutrients, such as iron, calcium and vitamin B12. Try to include vegetarian foods from each of the food groups shown in the Eatwell Guide in your picnic.
Look online for healthy picnic recipes that include wholegrain foods, low-fat dairy products, unsalted nuts, seeds, beans and pulses and plenty of fruit and vegetables.
You can find recipes and information about hosting a picnic at Heart Research UK’s Big Scottish Picnic webpage: https://heartresearch.org.uk/bsp/
National charity Heart Research UK have launched their first charity cookbook, featuring 17 recipes from celebs, chefs and some of the web’s biggest food bloggers.
The e-book, which is available to download here for a suggested donation of £5, features a selection of well-balanced recipes from some of the best known faces in food and fitness, including Joe Wicks, The Hairy Bikers, Heart Research UK ambassador Sally Bee, Gennaro Contraldo, Michelin Star Chef Tom Kitchin, Masterchef winner Shelina Permaloo and many more.
Recipes range from light breakfasts and brunches, through to healthy snacks, show-stopping main meals and family favourites, and even a few desserts.
Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion and Education at Heart Research UK, said: “As someone who loves cooking and eating nutritionally balanced dishes, I know that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or expensive.
“We put together this cookbook to provide everyone, from families and first time cooks to the home-chef extraordinaire, a selection of recipes that are healthy, full of flavour and unpretentious.
“I often advise people on making dietary changes to reduce their risk of heart disease and manage their weight. A healthy, well-balanced diet contains plenty of fruit, vegetables and wholegrain foods and not too much fat, sugar or salt. By using this cookbook, we hope you will discover some delicious new recipes that will enable you to keep looking after your heart.”
The cookbook can be downloaded here, for a suggested donation of £5.
All of the money raised will support Heart Research UK’s life-saving work, funding pioneering research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK
Sticking to a healthy diet can be easier if you cook from scratch. Ready meals, takeaways and pre-packaged foods can be high in fat, sugar and salt. Home-cooked meals are often cheaper, tastier, healthier and better for the environment.
It may also be quicker to rustle up a home-cooked meal, than wait for a takeaway to be delivered.
Here we provide some tips to help you find and cook some healthy recipes:
Finding healthy recipes
There are lots of healthy recipe books and websites available. When looking for healthy recipes, make sure you choose a trusted source.
Our new cookbook includes plenty of delicious and healthy recipes from well-known names, such as Joe Wicks and the Hairy Bikers. The recipes have been carefully selected by our Nutritionist for their use of fresh, healthy ingredients that promote good heart health.
When looking for a healthy recipe, make sure you pay attention to the ingredients list. Avoid recipes that include a lot of fat, salt, sugar or processed meats and cheeses. Healthier recipes include:
Fruit and vegetables
Wholegrain ingredients (e.g. brown rice, brown bread or whole-wheat pasta)
Lean sources of protein (e.g. fish, chicken (without skin), beans, pulses or tofu)
Low-fat dairy products (or alternatives), such as skimmed milk, fat-free yoghurt or soya products
Choose healthy cooking methods
Find recipes that use healthier cooking methods, such as steaming, baking or grilling, rather than frying or deep-frying in oil. Avoid recipes that cook with animal fats (such as lard or butter) and coconut oil as these are high in saturated fats which can increase your risk of heart disease. Choose recipes that use plant-based oils, such as rapeseed, olive, sunflower or vegetable oils.
Adapt your favourite recipes
Eating healthily doesn’t mean giving up on all your favourite foods. Read through some of your favourite recipes and try to identify ways to make them healthier.
This could include adding extra fruit or veg, switching from white to brown rice or pasta, switching from cream to low fat yoghurt, reducing the amount of salt and sugar or switching to a healthier cooking method.
For more tips on how to improve your heart health, visit the ‘Healthy Tips’ page on our website and don’t forget to check out our new Cookbook.
