Healthier Festive Feasts
Festive Feasts: Keep the Trimmings, Ditch the Nasties
It’s officially the holiday season, and supermarkets across the country are brimming with everything you need for a classic Christmas dinner: gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and, of course, that all-important turkey. While there’s nothing wrong with tucking into your favourite comfort foods, let’s take a closer look at some of the hidden nasties lurking in those ready-made festive staples. Spoiler alert: they’re not just boosting your calorie count—they’re bringing a chemical cocktail to the table too.
But don’t worry, I'm not about to tell you to swap your pigs in blankets for salad. This is all about making savvy swaps and small tweaks, so you can enjoy a healthier Christmas feast without sacrificing tradition (or taste).
Jarred Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce might not be as much of a British tradition as mince pies, but if you’ve adopted it from across the pond, beware of the jarred stuff. It’s often packed in packaging lined with BPA (that’s Bisphenol A, a controversial chemical used to stop food reacting with metal). While the UK government allows BPA in food packaging, some research links it to hormone disruption and even weight gain—not exactly the festive glow we’re after.
The Fix: Make your own cranberry sauce. A bag of cranberries, some orange juice, and a sprinkling of sugar will give you a fresher, tastier alternative—minus the chemicals.
Recipe: From BBC Good Food, this recipe for a really simple cranberry sauce is one I would recommend.
Ready-Made Gravy
No roast dinner is complete without a generous pour of gravy, but if you’re reaching for a jar or packet, it might come with a few unwelcome extras. Trans fats and preservatives like sodium benzoate are common culprits in ready-made sauces. While sodium benzoate keeps products shelf-stable, it’s been linked to oxidative stress and a host of health issues. As for trans fats, they’re a one-way ticket to increased heart disease risk—not quite the Christmas spirit.
The Fix: If you’re not confident making gravy from scratch, look out for organic or additive-free brands. Or, for an even simpler solution, use the juices from your roast, a splash of red wine, and a pinch of flour to create your own festive masterpiece.
Recipe: From BBC Good Food, this recipe for homemade gravy is one I would recommend.
Boxed Stuffing Mix
We all love a shortcut during the Christmas rush, and boxed stuffing mixes have long been a dinner table hero. But many of these ready-made options come loaded with preservatives like BHA and BHT (butylated hydroxy-what-now?), which are linked to potential liver damage. Then there’s glyphosate, a pesticide that sneaks into non-organic wheat products, with links to digestive issues, anxiety, and more. Not exactly the gift you were hoping for.
The Fix: There are some brilliant organic stuffing mixes out there, or you could go rogue and make your own with day-old bread, herbs, and a bit of butter. It’s easier than you think and tastes infinitely better.
Recipe: From BBC Good Food, this recipe for homemade stuffing is one I would recommend.
Shop-Bought Desserts
From frozen trifles to cream-filled yule logs, the festive dessert aisle is an irresistible wonderland. But many of these indulgent treats are packed with additives like carrageenan (a thickener derived from seaweed), high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial dyes. While carrageenan might sound harmless, it’s been linked to gut inflammation, and artificial dyes have been connected to behavioural issues in children.
The Fix: Head to your local bakery for a handmade dessert, or whip up a simple pudding at home. A classic crumble or a Victoria sponge will hit the spot without the extra dose of chemicals.
Recipe: From BBC Good Food, this recipe for a healthier apple crumble is one I would recommend.
Non-Organic Turkeys and Meats
Whether it’s a golden turkey, a honey-glazed ham, or a beef roast, the star of the Christmas dinner table deserves some attention. Factory-farmed meats are often treated with antibiotics and hormones, and their feed may be sprayed with pesticides. Add in preservatives and artificial flavourings during processing, and you’re looking at a not-so-festive cocktail of chemicals on your plate.
The Fix: Opt for organic, free-range, or pasture-raised meats wherever possible. Better yet, support a local farmer or butcher—you’ll get better quality meat and peace of mind that your turkey wasn’t pumped full of antibiotics.
Final Thoughts
Christmas is about celebration, not deprivation, so there’s no need to banish your favourite trimmings altogether. But with a little planning and a few smart swaps, you can enjoy all the festive flavours without the hidden additives. Homemade alternatives are always a winner, and if you opt for organic and natural options, you’ll be one step closer to a cleaner, greener Christmas dinner.
This year, as you plan your Christmas feast, think quality over convenience. With a little extra effort, you can enjoy all the indulgence, none of the guilt—and still have your cake (organic, of course) and eat it too!
Merry Christmas you filthy animals! X
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Your Mate Ginger Kate
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