A nationwide poll has revealed that 58 percent of Brits under the age of 30 believe that eating turkey, stuffing and pigs in blankets during the festive season is out-of-date.
In fact, 39 percent of the 1,500 18- to 30-year-olds polled said they never eat turkey, 38 percent can’t stand brussels sprouts, and 27 percent would never opt for pigs in blankets.
As many as 29 percent of young Brits claim there are much tastier festive feasts available, while one in ten say meat is strictly off the menu this Christmas Day.
The study, by Dopsu, a plant-based meat alternatives brand, found that 21 percent would rather dig into a pizza on Christmas Day, 17 percent will be preparing a Chinese meal, 16 percent will be rustling up a curry and 13 percent are opting for a meat-free feast.
But when it comes to those who will be embracing the traditional Christmas lunch, the study has identified some modern additions.
One in five (20 percent) are set to make vegetarian stuffing, the same number (20 percent) will be serving a vegetarian gravy and 16 percent will use plant-based meat alternatives
The study also found that an overwhelming 87 percent of the 18- to 30-year-olds polled believe it’s essential to cater for vegetarians and vegans over Christmas.
While 63 percent said that they’d happily eat a plant-based Christmas lunch this year and 93 percent agree that sustainability should play a big role when shopping for ingredients.
While 27 percent of those polled said they are striving to make sure all the ingredients for their festive meals are sustainable, more than one in ten (13 percent) will be drinking non-alcoholic wine or beer with their meal on the big day.
Said Abigail Flynn, Brand Manager at Dopsu: “This research is fascinating as it shows how our changing diets are affecting what we eat on one of the biggest food traditions of the year. It’s interesting to see younger Brits opting to eat an entirely different meal this year. Many more who still plan to serve up the traditional roast will be adding a modern plant-based twist to it, which shows how people are flexing their shopping habits as times change.”
The study also found that a third of young Brits secretly dislike mince pies, more than a quarter (26 percent) can’t stand Christmas pudding, and 24 percent are not a fan of Christmas Cake.
But despite whatever is on the menu for Brits this year, 31 percent of those surveyed said that, by the time they hit Boxing Day, they are officially over festive food.
