Good news for turkeys

1 in 3 health-conscious Brits opting to put meat-free alternatives on the menu to celebrate Christmas

FOR many, nothing can beat the traditional Christmas feast of turkey with all the trimmings, washed down with a festive tipple.

But it seems that the nation’s tastes are showing signs of change.

Researchers say nearly a third – 31 per cent – of Britons are moving to a more health-conscious menu. Those aged between 18 and 34 are more likely to serve a vegan or vegetarian main course and also go teetotal.

Christmas puddings, meanwhile, continue to decline in popularity – with only 23 per cent in the same age group eating them in contrast to 59 per cent of the over-55s.

But the Tesco study of Christmas eating habits showed the staples of roast turkey, Brussels sprouts and bubbly are still served up for most of the older generation.

The firm’s chief customer officer, Alessandra Bellini, said: ‘By and large, we’re still a nation of traditionalists – but with a third of people mixing things up at Christmas each year, that is changing.

‘While turkey and sprouts endure, our Christmas dinner is becoming “greener”, with more of us opting to go veggie or vegan.’ Nearly a fifth of hosts – 18 per cent – said they are more likely to cater for vegans or vegetarians.

This is particularly marked among the 18 to 34 age group – with 13 per cent planning a dinner without turkey and 21 per cent catering for a guest who is not a meat eater. For over-55s the figures are 6 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.

The study – in which 2,000 adults were questioned – also highlights a North-South divide. While 12 per cent of families in Brighton will prepare a veggie main course, only 1 per cent are likely to do so in Glasgow and Liverpool.

Overall, however, turkey remains the centrepiece for the majority – 64 per cent.

Carrots are the favourite vegetable, with nearly three in four of us – 71 per cent – saying they would be on the table. Brussels sprouts are a close second, at 66 per cent.

For the trimmings, pigs in blankets are top, with nearly twothirds saying they will have them on their plate.

As for the Christmas drinks cabinet, nearly a fifth of 18 to 35-yearolds say they will not be touching alcohol. This is in contrast to 11 per cent of over-55s.

For those that indulge, bubbles are our favourite choice with 81 per cent opting for prosecco, champagne or cava.

Pets are also in for a treat, with the supermarket selling more Christmas dinners for cats and dogs than it did even turkeys last year.

Dogs, it seems, are the luckiest – with 85 per cent of owners saying that they would buy theirs a present.