Allergy-Friendly Foods For An Inclusive Christmas

Christmas is one of the most delicious times of the year – but for allergy sufferers, it can be trickier to navigate. From mince pies to gravy and cheeseboards, many festive foods contain common allergens such as dairy, gluten, nuts and eggs. Accommodating for dietary requirements need not be a chore, though: with some easy swaps you can make traditional Christmas treats more inclusive. Here nutrition expert Kyle Crowley at Protein Works shares some suggestions for an allergy-friendly Christmas.

Allergy-Friendly Christmas: Recipe Swaps

‘Making Christmas treats inclusive doesn’t have to be difficult, as small adjustments are often quick and simple,’ says Kyle. ‘It starts with understanding labels, asking guests about dietary needs and preferences, as well as making minor swaps where necessary. A quick look at ingredients labels can help identify common allergens. With this knowledge, you can easily choose alternatives. Being inclusive doesn’t mean reinventing recipes – it means understanding labels to make quick, easy swaps.’ 

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Mince Pies

Key allergens: dairy, gluten, nuts, alcohol

Swap: Many shops now sell gluten-free and vegan mince pies, and chef Mira Manek has shared a plant-based recipe here. But if you want to change up the dessert altogether, whizz up some festive spiced poached pears instead, Kyle suggests.

Christmas Pudding

Key allergens: Suet (often beef-based but vegetarian versions exist), nuts, dairy and alcohol

Swap: ‘Some modern recipes use coconut oil instead of suet for an allergy-friendly twist,’ says Kyle. ‘An easy substitution could be Christmas spiced jelly – all you need is fruit juice (like cranberry) set with agar-agar, with a touch of cinnamon, cloves and orange zest for festive flavours.’

Stuffing

Key allergens: Stuffing often contains breadcrumbs (gluten), nuts, or sausage meat (pork)

Swap: ‘Offer a gluten-free stuffing made with gluten-free breadcrumbs and a vegetarian alternative like a chestnut and mushroom mix,’ Kyle recommends. ‘Quinoa and vegetable stuffing is a simple alternative, combined with rosemary, sage and thyme seasonings.’

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Gravy

Key allergens: gluten

Swap: Traditional gravy is made from wheat flour, which is a no-go for gluten-free diners. But it can be made with a gluten-free thickener like cornstarch or arrowroot instead, notes Kyle. ‘Prepare the onion and herb gravy with caramelised onions and bay leaves to offer a flavoursome swap.’ You can also make a vegetarian gravy with ingredients like stock, vegetables and herbs.

Cheeseboard

Key allergens: dairy

Swap: For some, Christmas isn’t complete without a cheeseboard. But for lactose-intolerant or vegan diners, they can be a nightmare. As an alternative, you could whizz up a mezze platter with olives, crudites and meat – or how about creating your very own charcuterie tree with inclusive ingredients?

Yule Log

Key allergens: gluten, eggs, dairy

Swap: The world of gluten-free and vegan baking has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, and it’s easy to make an allergen-free yule log with nut milk and dairy-free butter. Alternatively, you could swap the dessert for a Christmas fruit cake bar with gluten-free oats, suggests Kyle.