Xmas sarnies are cutting it PLANT OPTIONS TASTY
★ WANT to get your festive fix on the go, but cut down on how much meat and cheese you’re eating?
Well, this year the stores and cafes are bursting with plant-based lunch options that could help you slash the number of calories and fat you gobble in the run-up to Christmas.
★ JAMES MOORE Here analyses some of the top options and rates them for taste too.
SAINSBURY’S Plant Pioneers No Pigs Under Blanket
Mushroom and wheat protein sausage, wheat and pea protein slices, baconaise-style vegan mayo, cranberry chutney and onion on malted bread.
436 calories/12g fat/1.96g salt.
Health verdict: The pea protein is good for boosting your muscles. Taste rating: Best for banger lovers, but lacking big flavour – 2/5
Boxing Day Veggie Curry Wrap
Seasoned and sweetened roasted carrot and parsnip, vegan spiced mayo, root vegetable patty and spinach in a tortilla wrap.
442 calories/15.5g fat/1.18g salt.
Health verdict: Lower in salt than many, better for blood pressure. Taste rating: Nice and spicy – 3/5
ALDI Vegan Festive Feast Sandwich
Cranberry and poppyseed bread filled with parsnip fritters, red cabbage, fresh apple, cranberry sauce, pumpkin vegan sage and onion mayonnaise and spinach.
457 calories/13.4g fat/1.39g salt.
Health verdict: High in fibre, but also in sugar. Taste rating: Tangy and stuffed with Yuletide flavour – 5/5
BOOTS Vegan No Turkey Feast
Seasoned wheat gluten and soya protein pieces, seasoned carrot strips, cranberry chutney, vegan sage and onion mayo, red cabbage, spinach, fried onions on malted bread.
360 calories/7.2g fat/1.86g salt.
Health verdict: Lowest in calories, so good for your waistline but a third of your daily salt intake. Taste rating: Rather medicinal – 1/5
MORRISONS Plant Revolution Very Merry Vegan Sandwich
Vegetable fritter, white bean parsnip houmous, braised red cabbage, spinach, spiced chutney on malted bread.
365 calories/6.9g fat/1.11g salt.
Health verdict:
Another low calorie, fat and salt option with plenty of vitamins. Taste rating: A bit dry – 2/5
ASDA Plant Based Festive Feast Wrap
Soya protein pieces, sage and onion stuffing, braised red cabbage, vegan sage and onion mayonnaise, cranberry and port sauce and fresh spinach. 452 calories/16g fat/1.2g salt. Health verdict: Soya protein boosts levels of essential amino acids. Taste rating: Well-filled, meaty texture – 4/5
M&S Plant Kitchen No Turkey Feast
Marinated roasted wheat and vegetable protein, vegan dressing with bacon flavour, cranberry chutney, spinach and fried onions on malted brown bread.
443 calories/15.6g fat/1.41g salt.
Health verdict: Average calories and fat and spinach is great for energy.
Taste rating: Generously filled and most like having real turkey – 4/5
CO-OP
GRO Turk’y Feast Sandwich
Flame-grilled cooked flavoured soya protein, vegan mayonnaise, steam roasted carrot and parsnip, cranberry chutney and sage and onion stuffing on oatmeal bread.
373 calories/7.8g fat/1.67g salt.
Health verdict: Packed with protein and plenty of healthy veg. Taste rating: A nice bit of bite – 3/5
TESCO
Plant Chef Root Vegetable and Chestnut Wrap
Roasted root vegetables and chestnuts with braised red cabbage, cranberry sauce, a pea protein sauce, sage and onion stuffing and spinach in a beetroot and chia tortilla wrap.
383 calories/10.8g fat/1.07g salt
Health verdict: Great for waist watching and low in salt. Taste rating: Really nutty and novel – 4/5
COSTA Vegan P’gs and Blankets Panini
Plant-based sausage and bacon with sweet cranberry sauce, sage & onion stuffing, vegan mayo and “cheeze” in a stonebaked sourdough panini. 571 calories/20g fat/2.7g salt. Health verdict: High in calories, fat and nearly half your daily salt allowance. Taste rating: Bursting with flavour – 5/5
CAFFE NERO
Vegan Festive Feast Panini Plant-based turkey pieces, apple sage and fennel stuffing and mulled wine pickled red cabbage.
497 calories/16.4g fat/1.8g salt.
Health verdict: Relatively low in calories and fat with antioxidants from the cabbage.
Taste rating: A bit cardboardy – 2/5
GREGGS Vegan Festive Bake
Puff pastry, savoury Quorn, stuffing, vegan bacon crumb and sage and cranberry sauce.
442 calories/28g fat//1.7g salt.
Health verdict: Similar calories and fat to the meat version, but high in fibre. Taste rating:
Filling and suitably festive – 4/5
Vegan Turkey-Free & Stuffing Baguette
Sage and onion plant-based goujons with onion gravy and cranberry and port sauce.
500 calories/11g fat/1.96g salt.
Health verdict: This would take an hour to run off and is high in salt. Taste rating: Sweet and moist – 3/5