Festive food to go - everything you need to know
We may still be in November but Christmas is around the corner and the shelves in the supermarket and coffee shops around the UK are full of this year’s range of Christmas sandwiches and treats. And let be honest would the festive season be complete without a few of these tasty treats to get us through the working day. But with the festive ranges increasing each year which of this year’s festive beauties will you be reaching for as a tasty breakfast treat or during your lunch hour. Here is your guide to this year’s most popular offerings with all the nutritional details you’ll need to keep you on track throughout the festive season and into 2023.
Overview
Although if you know me you’ll know I am a big believer in calories are certainly not everything but lets start here as often this is everyone’s first port of call. The Christmas sandwich/wrap with the highest calorie content out of those reviewed was Pret's Christmas Lunch Baguette with 702Kcal, followed up by the Pigs in Blankets from M&S with 634 kcal. With the lowest calorie lunch option being the Ho Ho Hoisin Duck Dragon Roll from M&S providing only 308kcal per pack followed by the Chicken and Christmas Slaw from M&S. This is a personal favourite from this year’s offering as well as tasting great, although not strong in Christmas flavour, it also delivers well in the next 2 categories with relatively low Saturated Fat & Sugars content.
The offering with the highest reported Saturated Fat content is the Brie and Cranberry Sandwich from M&S, with 14.6g in each pack but watch out for all the Brie and Cranberry and the Pigs Under Blankets options as they are generally providing the highest saturated fat content.
Also worth remembering is that it is not just the sweet treats that contain sugar, watch out for those hidden sugars. Some of this year’s savoury offerings are providing over 50% of your daily recommended allowance in just one sandwich including Pret’s Festive Falafel & Squash and the M&S Festive Club.
Now for those sweet treats. As you would expect they all tend to be high in these categories, it is mainly going to be down to personal taste and if you feel like over indulging a little as it is Christmas. I have included more details on these as well as the sandwiches below so can peruse and see if any take your fancy.
Starbucks Uk
Pigs Under Blanket Roll - Pork sausage, smoked bacon, sage & onion mayonnaise, Cheddar cheese and cranberry chutney on a Vienna roll. Listed allergens include: Gluten, Milk, Mustard and Wheat. 545kcal, Fat 25g of which 9.2g are saturated, Carbs 53g of which 6.3g are Sugar, 3.8g fibre, 25g Protein and 2.3g Salt.
Tis the Season Turkey Sandwich - Sliced turkey breast, beechwood smoked bacon, sage & onion stuffing with cranberry sauce on a malted bread. Listed allergens include: Barley, Egg, Gluten, Mustard, Oat and Wheat. 503kcal, Fat 17g of which 3.5g are saturated, Carbs 64g of which 5.7g are Sugar, 5g Fibre, 21g Protein and 1.6g Salt.
Brie & Cran-merry Foccaccia - A rosemary topped olive oil based focaccia is filled with slices of creamy brie, cranberry chutney and fresh spinach leaf. Listed allergens include: Barley, Egg, Gluten, Milk, Mustard and Wheat. 445kcal, Fat 18g of which 7.2g are saturated, Carbs 54g of which 6.8g are Sugar, 3.7g fibre, 15g, Protein and 1.4g Salt.
Festive Feast Panini - Sliced turkey breast, beechwood smoked bacon, turkey gravy, sage & onion stuffing and cranberry sauce on a ciabatta panini. Listed allergens include: Celery, Gluten, Milk, Oat and Wheat. 471kcal, Fat 11g of which 5.4g are saturated, Carbs 62g of which 6.4g are Sugar, 4.1g Fibre, 29g Protein and 1g of Salt.
Christmas Tree Brownie - Chocolate brownie with a layer of chocolate buttercream and finished with a sprinkling of gold dust. Listed allergens include: Egg, Gluten, Milk, Soya and Wheat. 345kcal, Fat 22g of which 10g are saturated, Carbs 32g of which 24g are Sugar, 2.2g Fibre, 3.7g Protein and 0.19g Salt.
Toffee Nut Muffin - Toffee flavoured sponge, injected with caramel, topped with toffee frosting, drizzled with milk chocolate and sprinkled with hazelnuts. Listed allergens include: Egg, Gluten, Hazelnuts, Milk, Soya and Wheat. 422kcal, Fat 22g of which 4.3g are saturated, Carbs 50g of which 31g are Sugar, 1g fibre, 5.4g of protein and 0.52g of salt.
Ginger Mini Loaf Cake - Spiced ginger loaf cake topped with white chocolate icing and crushed ginger biscuits. Listed allergens include: Barley, Egg, Gluten, Milk, Soya and Wheat. 293Kcal, Fat 11g of which 3.1g are saturated, Carbs 45g or which 32g are Sugar, 0.8g Fibre, 3.1g Protein and 0.36g salt.
Toffee Nut Mini Loaf Cake (Plant Based) - A plant based toffee and hazelnut mini loaf with caramel injection, toffee caramel frosting and nibbed hazelnuts. Listed allergens include: Almonds, Gluten, Hazelnuts and Wheat. 375Kcal, Fat 20g or which 3.7g are saturated, Carbs 45g of which 29g are Sugar, 1.5g Fibre, 3g Protein and 0.65g Salt.
Pret A Manger
Festive Falafel & Squash - Herby roasted butternut squash topped with sweet potato falafel, Christmas pesto, pickled cabbage & carrot, port & orange cranberry sauce and vegan sage mayo. Finished with peppery rocket and crispy onions. Listed allergens include: Barley, Gluten, Pine Nuts, Wheat. 527 Kcal, Fat 20.2g or which 2.8g are saturated, Carbs 68.7g of which 21.1g are Sugar, 10.7g Fibre, 12.2g Protein and 1.73g Salt.
Pret's Christmas Lunch - Thick slices of British turkey with port & orange cranberry sauce, herby pork stuffing and baby spinach leaves. Finished with a dab of free range mayo and crispy onions. Listed allergens include: Barley, Egg, Gluten, Sulphites, Wheat. 549 Kcal, Fat 20g or which 4.7g are saturated, Carbs 56.7g of which 15g are Sugar, 7.1g Fibre, 32g Protein and 2.13g Salt.
Pret's Christmas Lunch Baguette - British turkey with port & orange cranberry sauce, herby pork stuffing and peppery rocket. Finished with a sprinkling of crispy onions and a dab of free range mayo. Listed allergens include: Barley, Egg, Gluten, Sulphites, Wheat. 702Kcal, Fat 29.1g or which 5.4g are saturated, Carbs 75g of which 14.6g are Sugar, 4.6g Fibre, 32.5g Protein and 3.05g Salt.
Brie & Cranberry Baguette - Slices of French brie with port & orange cranberry sauce, a dab of mayo, roasted pistachio nuts and a handful of peppery rocket on a stone baked baguette. Listed allergens include: Barley, Egg, Gluten, Milk, Nuts (Pistachio), Sesame, Wheat. 596Kcal, Fat 29.6g or which 11.4g are saturated, Carbs 59.4g of which 8.2g are Sugar, 5.6g Fibre, 20.1g Protein and 2.13g Salt.
Christmas Brunch Rye Roll - Sliced avocado and our truffle flavoured mushrooms topped with eggless tofu mayo, smoky carrot ribbons and sprinkle of mustard cress. Finished with lemon juice and a touch of seasoning. Listed allergens include: Barley, Gluten, Mustard, Rye, Sesame, Soya, Wheat. 460Kcal, Fat 21.9g or which 3.1g are saturated, Carbs 48.3g of which 8g are Sugar, 6.3g Fibre, 14.2g Protein and 1.65g Salt.
Pigs in Blankets Hot Roll - Pork sausages wrapped in streaky bacon served in a hot crusty roll with a layer of caramelised onion chutney and dab of mustard mayo. Listed allergens include: Gluten, Mustard, Rye, Egg, Wheat. 563Kcal, Fat 30.3g or which 8.3g are saturated, Carbs 51.1g of which 8.9g are Sugar, 2.1g Fibre, 20.4g Protein and 1.16g Salt.
Very Berry Croissant - Flaky pastry filled with 5 berry Jam and folded. Topped with nibbed sugar crystals. Listed allergens include: Gluten, Wheat. 299Kcal, Fat 12.2g or which 7.4g are saturated, Carbs 41.7g of which 21.9g are Sugar, 2.3g Fibre, 4.4g Protein and 0.6g Salt.
Chocolate Orange Mini Loaf Cake - Chocolate orange sponge with milk chocolate chunks. Finished with a chocolate orange buttercream, milk chocolate curls and pieces of candied orange peel. Listed allergens include: Egg, Gluten, Milk, Soya, Wheat. 362Kcal, Fat 18.5g or which 8.6g are saturated, Carbs 43.1g of which 28.5g are Sugar, 1.9g Fibre, 4.8g Protein and 0.52g Salt.
Christmas Tiffin - Chocolate and orange slice with digestive and ginger, topped with white chocolate, cranberries and pistachios. Listed allergens include: Gluten, Milk, Nuts (Pistachio), Soya, Wheat. 422Kcal, Fat 26.1g or which 14.5g are saturated, Carbs 42.2g of which 30.5g are Sugar, 2.6g Fibre, 3.3g Protein and 0.32g Salt.
Gingerbread Melvin the Snowman - Gingerbread, icing and marshmallow. Listed allergens include: Egg, Wheat. 283Kcal, Fat 6.7g or which 3g are saturated, Carbs 52.6g of which 34g are sugar, 0.7g fibre, 2.6g of protein and 0.4g of salt.
Waitrose
Waitrose Christmas Turkey, Stuffing & Bacon Sandwich - Turkey breast, pork and chestnut stuffing, turkey stock mayonnaise, cranberry and redcurrant chutney and smoked bacon in sliced malted bread. Listed allergens include: Barley, Egg, Gluten, Mustard, Sulphites, Wheat. 496 kcal, Fat 19.3g or which 4.8g are saturated, Carbs 47.7g of which 10.3g are sugar, 8.0g fibre, 29g of protein and 2.37g of salt.
Waitrose Christmas Brie, Cranberry with Spinach - Brie cheese, cranberry and redcurrant chutney, mayonnaise and spinach in sliced malted bread. Listed allergens include: Barley, Egg, Gluten, Milk, Wheat. 426 kcal, Fat 18.2g or which 10.5g are saturated, Carbs 49.5g of which 9.6g are sugar, 3.8g fibre, 13.9g of protein and 1.44g of salt.
Waitrose Christmas Pigs Under Blankets - Pork sausage, cranberry and redcurrant chutney, smoked bacon and mayonnaise in sliced malted bread. Listed allergens include: Barley, Egg, Wheat. 509 kcal, Fat 22.1g or which 6.5g are saturated, Carbs 51.2g of which 10g are sugar, 5.1g fibre, 23.7g of protein and 2.55g of salt.
M&S
Naughty and spice turkey feast roll - Piri piri marinated sliced turkey breast, spiced pork stuffing, red cabbage slaw, cranberry and chilli sauce with seasoned mayonnaise on a brioche roll. Listed allergens include: Egg, Gluten, Milk, Mustard, Soybeans, Wheat. 466 kcal, Fat 22.6g of which 4.8g are saturated, Carbs 39.6g of which 12.4g are Sugar, 3.8g Fibre, 24.2g Protein and 2.5g Salt.
Festive Christmas Club - Three slices of toasted oatmeal bread with succulent roast British chicken, maple bacon, tangy cranberry chutney, stuffing, spinach, pickled red cabbage and M&S signature gravy mayo. Listed allergens include: Barley, Egg, Gluten, Milk, Mustard, Oatmeal, Wheat. 613 kcal, Fat 24.2g of which 3.5g are saturated, Carbs 70.5g of which 19.4g are Sugar, 6.5g Fibre, 25.1g Protein and 2.19g Salt.
Turkey Feast - Roast British turkey breast with pork, sage and onion stuffing, cranberry chutney, onion mayonnaise and smoked British bacon on malted brown bread. Listed allergens include: Barley, Egg, Gluten, Milk, Mustard, Wheat. 420 kcal, Fat 13.2g of which 3.4g are saturated, Carbs 45.58g of which 11.3g are Sugar, 4.9g Fibre, 27.05g Protein and 1.92g Salt.
Pigs in Blankets - British pork sausage, seasoned mayonnaise, red onion and ruby port chutney, caramelised onions and smoked British bacon on malted brown bread. Listed allergens include: Barley, Egg, Gluten, Milk, Mustard, Wheat. 634 kcal, Fat 34.8g of which 9g are saturated, Carbs 53g of which 15g are Sugar, 5.7g Fibre, 24.4g Protein and 2.82g Salt.
Gluten Free Turkey Feast - Roast British turkey breast with gluten free pork, sage and onion stuffing, onion mayonnaise, cranberry chutney and smoked Bristich bacon on gluten free seeded bread. Listed allergens include: Egg, Mustard. 460 kcal, Fat 21g of which 3.6g are saturated, Carbs 34.2g of which 10.3g are Sugar, 11.8g Fibre, 27.8g Protein and 2.31g of Salt.
Brie and Cranberry - Brie cheese with cranberry chutney, mayonnaise and spinach on oatmeal bread. Listed allergens include: Barley, Egg, Gluten, Milk, Oatmeal, Wheat. 490 kcal, Fat 24.5g of which 14.6g are saturated, Carbs 47.7g of which 11.7g are Sugar, 4.5g Fibre, 17.5g Protein and 1.67g Salt.
Chicken and Christmas Slaw - Roast British chicken breast with seasoned mayonnaise, pickled carrot and red cabbage with spinach on malted brown bread. Listed allergens include: Barley, Egg, Gluten, Mustard, Soybeans, Wheat. 410 kcal, Fat 16.5g of which 1.6g are saturated, Carbs 42.3g of which 8.8g are Sugar, 5.9g Fibre, 10.3g Protein and 1.96g Salt.
Ho Ho Hoisin Duck Dragon Roll - 6 California rolls with sushi rice, shredded roasted British duck with carrots, spiced cherry hoisin sauce, red onions and spinach, seasoned mayonnaise, pomegranate seeds, red pepper flakes and crispy fried onions. Listed allergens include: Egg, Gluten, Mustard, Soybeans, Wheat. 308 kcal, Fat 10.1g of which 1.9g are saturated, Carbs 43.8g of which 10.1g are Sugar, 2.9g Fibre, 8.8g Protein and 1.27g Salt.
Turkey, Bacon & Pork Sausage Roll - 2 all butter puff pastries filled with lightly seasoned British turkey, smoked bacon, British pork and cranberry sauce topped with breadcrumbs and oried parsley. Listed allergens include: Gluten, Milk, Wheat. 284 kcal, Fat 16.1g of which 8.5g are saturated, Carbs 20.7g of which 4.9g are Sugar, 1.5g Fibre, 13.4g Protein and 1.50g of Salt.
Truffle & Olive Oil Hand Cooked Crisps - Potato crisps with black truffle and olive oil. Listed allergens include: None listed. 220 kcal, Fat 13.3g of which 1.0g are saturated, Carbs 21.8g of which 0.5g are Sugar, 3.3g Fibre, 1.7g Protein and 0.43g Salt.
Caramelised Cookie Cup Mince Pie - Chewy cookie dough pastry, made with brown butter and filled with lightly spiced minced meat. Listed allergens include: Buttermilk, Gluten, Milk, Wheat. 193 kcal, Fat 6.5g of which 3.7g are saturated, Carbs 37.9g of which 24.6g are Sugar, 1.1g Fibre, 2.3g Protein and 0.25g Salt.
Festive Christmas tree Yumnuts - Butter enriched yumnut, topped with vanilla fondant and filled with raspberry jam. Listed allergens include: Egg, Gluten, Milk, Soya, Wheat - also states the product is not suitable for nut allergy sufferers and not guaranteed to be free from sesame. 439kcal, no further information provided.
Pannettonut - A rich pannettone style donut with candied mixed peel and orange zest and filled with a rich vanilla custard and rolled in sugar. Listed allergens include: Egg, Gluten, Milk, Soya, Wheat. 228kcal/100g, no further information provided.
Disclaimer
Please note that while every care has been taken to ensure the displayed is correct at time of publishing, it is advised you always check packaging or speak to member of staff at the store in question, product recipes are regularly changed and the information listed does not always take into account the environment in which the items are made and stored. Therefore you should and not rely solely on the information presented.