Over 6 million Brits unable to eat a traditional Christmas dinner

The traditional Christmas turkey dinner is no longer something everyone can enjoy

With 60% of British households with someone with a dietary requirement, and 13% of the nation now following a plant-based diet, the traditional Christmas turkey dinner is no longer something everyone can enjoy.

This growing number of dietary requirements or preferences means over 6 million Brits are unable to eat a traditional Christmas dinner, according to new research by Asda, with a third of dinner guests having gone hungry at the table through fear of not wanting to make a fuss.

A further 42% have eaten something they shouldn’t so as not to upset hosts, resulting in a day spent sitting in discomfort or pain.

As the party season kicks-off, and diaries start filling with dinners, parties and drinks with friends, dietary requirements become a hot topic, with hosts catering for any number of diets they may not be familiar with.

As a result, 71% of people with dietary requirements have had to cook and bring their own food to Christmas dinner or parties, simply to avoid feeling self-conscious or guilty when asking hosts for something different to eat or drink.

This worry also extends to party hosts, with 49% admitting they are reluctant to invite someone if they need to cook a different meal for them.

And it’s not just food requirements hosts need to consider over Christmas, with almost 30% stating they will be looking to drink less alcohol this season, making low or no alcohol options essential to ensuring there’s a glass of something for everyone.

Bridget Benelam, Nutrition Scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, said: “Food preferences and requirements cover a wide range of different conditions, different symptoms and many kinds of foods and ingredients that can cause issues, so it’s not surprising people can find this confusing.

“Eating together, especially during special occasions is a really important part of our relationship with food and so it’s a real shame if people with a food intolerance feel excluded from this.

“It’s important that people have clear information about food allergies and intolerances so that they know what to look for when they are buying and preparing food for themselves and others.”