With the festive season here, hosts are being urged to consider their guests' dietary needs amidst reports of Christmas anxiety. A 33 year old has shared their struggles, saying the "anxiety around Christmas doesn't get easier." This call to action comes after research from YouGov for Genius Foods, highlights over 5 million Brits could miss out on Christmas dinner due to food allergies and intolerances.
The study found that 6% of UK adults have been unable to enjoy the traditional meal because their dietary restrictions were overlooked. The feeling of exclusion can be quite distressing. As well as this, 7% of UK adults - nearly four million people - would not invite someone with dietary requirements to their Christmas Day festivities, deeming it too much of a hassle to cater to different needs.
Talking about what people need to do, PhD student Mary Beth Graham says that her" anxiety around Christmas doesn't get easier", asking people to ensure everyone has options.
Mary Beth explained: "Christmas is all about enjoying great food with loved ones, but when you have food intolerances, that joy is taken away. You're constantly anxious, trusting someone to cook for you.
"When a dish tastes too good, you're afraid it might be the thing that causes a flare-up. With a gluten intolerance, you're always checking ingredients and researching food that could trigger a reaction. This makes Christmas particularly stressful, not only because it should be one of the happiest days of the year, but because there are so many dishes being prepared, with multiple people in the kitchen - leaving plenty of room for mistakes. It becomes your responsibility to educate those around you, and that can make you feel uncomfortable at a time when you should be enjoying yourself."
The 33-year-old has been gluten-free since she was 17 and if she gets ill, Christmas is ruined with her flare-ups causing symptoms including her stomach swelling, getting feverish sweats, and experience intense migraines that leaves her "lying in a dark room. It's completely game over."
Andrea Macaulay, Curriculum Manager for Hospitality at Glasgow Kelvin College, said that there's something people can do this Christmas to help people feel less stressed and enjoy the festive food. She said: "By making small changes - from swapping traditional gravy for gluten-free options to providing gluten free desserts - families can ensure that everyone has a place at the table.
"It doesn't have to be complicated. Start by asking your guests about their dietary needs in advance and plan your menu accordingly. Many supermarkets now offer allergen-friendly ingredients, from gluten-free breadcrumbs for stuffing to plant-based creams for desserts. You can also include naturally allergy-safe options like roasted meats, vegetables, fresh salads, or fruit-based desserts.
"Another simple solution is keeping labels or packaging for any shop-bought items available, so guests with allergies can double-check if they're safe. For hosts who love to cook, experimenting with allergen-friendly recipes can even add a new twist to the traditional Christmas dinner. Food is such an integral part of Christmas celebrations, and small efforts to accommodate dietary needs can make a huge difference in creating the lovely Christmas Day we all want. With more choice it's easier than ever to make a completely gluten free Christmas dinner to avoid cross contamination risks."
Adding her own experience to it, and raising awareness of the symptoms which many people may not know are associated with a food intolerance, Lauren Harber said she was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease at the age of 23, and experienced symptoms such as fatigue, skin flare-ups, and brain fog, which made even commuting to work a struggle. After switching to a gluten-free lifestyle, her symptoms improved significantly.
The head of marketing at Genius Foods said: "Christmas dinner can be a huge source of anguish for those with food sensitivities, allergies, and intolerances. Typically, people manage these challenges through routine, preparing their own meals and controlling what they eat. But at Christmas, it's harder - people are hosted more often and eat out more, which can make it a really challenging time. You can easily make an entirely gluten free Christmas that everyone can enjoy from bruschetta made with gluten free bread to fudgy brownies for dessert.
"Awareness about the real pain and discomfort that eating the wrong thing can cause is still low - and it's really upsetting that so many people would simply exclude people with food allergies rather than thinking about how they can help. Many people think it's a choice, but it isn't. It can make people really unwell."