1:00 AM 21st December 2024
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The UK’s Christmas Dinner Is Healthier Than You Think, Study Reveals!
![Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay]()
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
As nearly half of Brits struggle to maintain a healthy diet, many are questioning how the festive indulgence of Christmas can impact their health.
With this in mind, ZAVA, a digital healthcare company, examined the nutritional quality of Christmas meals in 35 European countries, analysing key nutrients such as vitamins, calcium, iron, protein, and fat content in the three most traditional dishes from each nation to create a nutritional score that determines which country offers the most balanced festive meal in Europe.
Key Findings:
The UK boasts the third most balanced Christmas meal in Europe, with a total nutritional score of 7.74/10
France’s Christmas dinner has the highest calorie count of all, totalling 1,066 kcal
Croatia offers the healthiest Christmas meal in Europe, achieving a nutritional balance score of 7.78/10
Norway ranks at the bottom, with the least nutritious Christmas dinner, scoring just 4.54/10
The Healthiest Christmas Meals in Europe
# | Country | Main | Nutritional Score | Side | Nutritional Score | Dessert | Nutritional Score | Total calories | Total Score/ 10 |
1. | Croatia | Turkey | 8.55 | Å trukli | 6.63 | Fritule | 7.28 | 623 | 7.78 |
2. | Netherlands | Turkey | 8.55 | Duchess potatoes | 7.58 | Ijsstam | 6.52 | 474 | 7.75 |
3. | United Kingdom | Turkey | 8.55 | Roasted vegetables | 7.89 | Pudding | 6.30 | 476 | 7.74 |
4. | North Macedonia | Carp | 8.15 | Pea soup | 7.80 | BožiÄna PogaÄa | 6.91 | 478 | 7.71 |
5. | France | Turkey | 8.55 | Gratin dauphinois | 6.58 | Yule log | 6.50 | 1,066 | 7.54 |
6. | Portugal | Boiled Cod | 8.68 | Boiled potatoes | 7.36 | Bolo Rei | 5.35 | 537 | 7.41 |
7. | Ireland | Turkey | 8.55 | Roast potatoes | 7.09 | Irish Christmas cake | 5.00 | 627 | 7.19 |
8. | Belgium | Turkey | 8.55 | Cheese croquettes | 5.68 | Kerststronk | 5.92 | 622 | 7.18 |
9. | Ukraine | Kutya | 7.36 | Kolach | 6.26 | Fruit cake | 7.46 | 687 | 7.17 |
10. | Slovenia | Äevapi | 7.13 | Roast potatoes | 7.09 | Potica cake | 6.73 | 904 | 7.00 |
To access the full dataset with each country's Christmas meal analysis, click here.
The UK’s Christmas dinner stands out as the third healthiest dinner, achieving a nutritional balance score of 7.74/10. The meal features turkey as the main dish, scoring an impressive 8.55/10 for its lean protein content and essential nutrients. This is complemented by roasted vegetables (7.89/10), which deliver a quarter of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C per 100g, thanks to their nutrient-rich composition. The feast concludes with the traditional Christmas pudding (6.30/10), which, while high in fat (7g per 100g) and lower in protein (3g per 100g), adds a sweet and festive touch. With an average of just 476 kcal per portion, this meal ranks as one of the lightest Christmas dinners in Europe while still delivering a robust nutritional profile packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Croatia is in first place, with an impressive nutritional balance score of 7.78/10 and an average of 623 kcal. The meal also begins with turkey (8.55/10), a lean meat low in fat, followed by štrukli (6.63/10), a pastry often stuffed with cheese, offering a good dose of calcium and protein. Finally, fritules (7.28/10), small, lightly sweetened dough balls, round off this festive meal with a gourmet but moderate touch. This makes Croatia a top choice for those looking for both Christmas flavours and nutritional benefits.
![Photo by Nicole Michalou from pexels]()
Photo by Nicole Michalou from pexels
The Netherlands ranks second with a Christmas dinner boasting a nutritional balance score of 7.75/10. The meal starts with turkey (8.55/10), followed by duchess potatoes (7.58/10), which provide 15% of the daily recommended vitamin C per 100g, largely due to their high potato content. For dessert, ijsstam (6.52/10), a traditional chocolate ice cream, offers a rich treat with 10% fat per 100g, though it is relatively low in protein. The entire meal averages around 474 kcal, making it a nutritious yet light option.
North Macedonia ranks fourth, with a Christmas meal centered on carp, a nutrient-rich fish, paired with pea soup and Božićna Pogača, a traditional festive bread, earning a healthy score of 7.71/10.
France follows in fifth place, featuring turkey with gratin dauphinois and a Yule log dessert. Despite being calorie-dense, totalling 1,066 kcal, France’s meal scores 7.54/10, balancing indulgence with a strong nutritional profile of vitamins and minerals.
The Least Nutritious Christmas Meals in Europe
# | Country | Main | Nutritional Score | Side | Nutritional Score | Dessert | Nutritional Score | Total calories | Total Score/ 10 |
35. | Norway | Roast pork belly | 1.91 | Boiled potatoes | 7.36 | Risgrøt | 7.05 | 578 | 4.54 |
34. | Iceland | Smoked lamb | 4.74 | Boiled potatoes | 7.36 | Jólakaka | 5.17 | 719 | 5.39 |
33. | Denmark | Roast pork | 5.17 | Boiled potatoes | 5.30 | Risalamande | 6.62 | 555 | 5.63 |
At the bottom of the ranking, Norway claims the title of least nutritious Christmas meal with a score of 4.54/10. The Nordic country offers a simple yet traditional menu, starting with roast pork belly (1.91/10), a heavy dish with 37% fat per 100g. While boiled potatoes (7.36/10) and risgrøt (7.05/10), a rice pudding, provide some balance with moderate protein content, the meal still lacks nutritional diversity. At 578 kcal, it's one of the lowest-calorie options, but its limited variety impacts its overall healthfulness.
Scandinavian and Nordic countries (Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Finland), along with Bulgaria and Austria, have some of the least nutritious Christmas dinners, occupying the bottom of the list in both nutritional value and calorie content. Their focus on raw ingredients and simple preparations is reflected in the simplicity of their holiday menus.
Research carried out by zavamed.com