Over 40% of Brits will ditch turkey on Christmas Day
Traditionally, turkey has been regarded as the go-to Christmas meat – serving as an impressive centrepiece on the big day itself and filling countless sandwiches in the days afterwards.
But, this year, it seems fans of the festive poultry are dwindling as more than 40% of us opt for an alternative Christmas Day main.
Some are opting for a ham, a leg of lamb, or a chicken, instead.
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Others eschewing the traditional turkey have different reasons for opting out – including the one in 10 households going entirely vegetarian this year.
According to the research commissioned by Whole Foods Market, some 23% say they’re driven by environmental reasons (23%).
Others say health (22%) and animal welfare (19%) are behind their reason to go sans turkey.
However, 10 million turkeys are still predicated to be consumed in the UK over the festive season.
Turkey was first popularised as a Christmas main in England in the 16th century.
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It was also eaten during the Victorian times, with Scrooge sending Bob Cratchitt a large turkey in Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella ‘A Christmas Carol’ – although goose remained predominant.
It was regarded as a luxury until it became commonplace in the 1950s, when most households first had fridges.
Other changes in our consumption habits this Christmas will likely include cutting back on alcohol.
According to the research, almost half of us (49%) will be cutting back on alcohol intake.
Just under a quarter (23%) will be teetotal for the festive period.
