British Game Week
Why you should eat game
It is Healthy
One of the main benefits of eating game meat is that is it one of the most healthiest meats available, very low in fat and cholesterol, game meat is lean as they are wild and are able to walk and roam freely so do not store so much fat.
The fat that is in game meat is Omega 3 When you hear Omega-3, most people will think of salmon, however wild game such as venison has an optimum ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids, making game one of the healthiest sources of good fat.
Game is very high in Iron and contains higher levels of many beneficial nutrients including vitamin E, Beta Carotene, Zinc Vitamin B6 and Selenium. Selenium is an important part of our diet that we often lack and helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Wild game is ideal for those following a Paleo approach to eating and for those wishing to lose weight as it has fewer calories than other meats. Venison is high in protein good for high protein diets
It is Wild and natural
Game meat is harvested from natural landscapes such as forests, farm land and moorlands, which means their diet is natural. This diet gives game meat its distinctive delicious taste.
It is Hormone additive free
All game is hormone free no growth hormones are added to their diets as their diets are natural
Wild game such as venison, rabbit, pigeon and grouse are antibiotic-free.
It is good for the countryside and wildlife
The game industry does not shout enough about the conservation undertaken and its positive effects on the ecology of our natural landscape
The wild game industry plays a fundamental role in managing the populations of game in the UK; without the work of estates and the game industry, populations would increase to unsustainable levels. It has positive effects on the ecology of our natural landscape.
A huge amount of conservation work and management is undertaken to ensure healthy and sustainable game. The management of deer ensures woodlands including ancient woodland are not destroyed or damaged. On average five species of wild flowers are found in unmanaged woodland. In woodland managed for game an average 16 species can be found.
Crops sown to give game birds shelter and natural foods benefit other wildlife including skylark, lapwing and corn bunting. This has soon an increase in numbers of the birds
Moorland managed for the breeding of wild grouse gives it the famous heather and purple colour. Rarer than rainforest, the UK has 75 per cent of what is left of the globally recognised expanses. 860,000 acres of heather moorland in England and Wales is managed for wild red grouse.
It has low carbon miles
As these animals are not intensively farmed and are often locally sourced, the carbon footprint of the game industry is relatively small, with very few miles from field to fork.
It is delicious and tasty
Game meat is delicious venison is a great alternative to beef and makes a great steak meal. Pheasant is like a tasty chicken and partridge is a great meat to start you off with if you haven’t tried game before. Rabbit is growing in popularity and makes great dishes.
Pigeon is stronger meat as it is rich with iron but goes well as a snack in pitta bread or in a pea risotto. Grouse is another stronger tasting meat and is known as the King of game birds.
It is easy to cook
Game meat is lean so it must not be overcooked, which means unless you are using a tougher cut or planning a casserole it is quick to cook. So if you are looking for quick recipes to cook during the week have a look at the recipe pages. We also have some dinner party recipes and snacks.
It is versatile
Game meat is very versatile and venison can replace beef in most recipes and rabbit pheasant and partridge can place chicken. Both will give you much tastier dishes.
It is easy to buy
Game can be found at most farmers markets and even if your butcher does not have it on his counter he can certainly get it for you so just ask.
There are several online suppliers now and supermarkets will have venison and game birds in season. Just check that the venison is British a lot of the supermarkets venison is from New Zealand.
What do we class as game?
Pheasant
Partridge
Grouse
Rabbit
Pigeon
Hare
Wild duck
Wild Geese
Snipe
Woodcock
Squirrel
Venison
When shouldn’t we eat game?
The FSA’s advice since 2012 has been to minimise the risk of lead intake, people who frequently eat lead-shot game, particularly small game, should cut down their consumption. This is especially important for vulnerable groups such as toddlers and children, pregnant women and women trying for a baby
Not all game is shot with lead. Generally, the large game sold in supermarkets is farmed and will have no or very low lead levels. The FSA’s advice is not applicable to consumers of such meat.