A new survey by Sainsbury’s has found that 37% of Brits cite cooking and entertaining for guests as the most stressful part of celebrating Christmas. A further 42% are worried about the costs of cooking for extra numbers, and 20% say that gluten free is the trickiest diet to cater for – beating vegetarianism and veganism.

With 1 in 4 Brits now suffering from a food intolerance or allergy, more UK households than ever will prepare different meals on the big day for guests or abandon Christmas favourites like Christmas Pudding altogether.

Sainsbury’s food intolerance expert Mary Scott-Morgan said: “We know how difficult Christmas catering can be, both for people with food intolerances and those cooking for them.

“Dishes for food allergy sufferers don’t have to be any more difficult to make than standard recipes. For example, our festive freefrom bread sauce can be made in around ten minutes. Simply simmer soya milk and a peeled and quartered onion in a pan for five minutes, remove the onion and stir in a few slices of crumbled freefrom white bread and season. Simmer until thickened, then sprinkle with cinnamon and serve. Easy!”

With so many gluten free products on the market today, catering for people with a gluten intolerance has become much easier than it was a few years ago.  Food manufacturers and retailers would be wise to offer gluten free Christmas foods at this time of year, as customers are sure to embrace products that will keep family and friends happy and healthy, and save them time and stress.

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