Health

Diet expert Tim Spector discloses the two essential dishes of Christmas dinner that he would avoid at all costs.

December, 25, 2024-01:02

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Diet expert Tim Spector discloses the two essential dishes of Christmas dinner that he would avoid at all costs.

Pigs in blankets and Christmas pudding are two traditional dishes that diet expert Tim Spector firmly believes should not be included in the festive meal.
The scientist, who co-founded the well-known diet application ZOE, expressed that he generally adopts a more lenient approach to healthy eating on Christmas Day compared to other times of the year. Nevertheless, he categorically excludes pigs in blankets from the holiday menu, citing their high content of saturated fats, salt, and the fact that they are processed meats.
"Even during the festive season, I would avoid processed meats. If you desire a meat alternative, consider trying some homemade pâté," he advised in an interview with The Telegraph. Professor Spector, who is also a genetic epidemiology expert at King's College London, has previously highlighted the substantial evidence indicating the negative health impacts of processed meats.
These meats are known to be rich in saturated fats, which can elevate blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of serious heart disease. Additionally, the high salt levels found in processed meats such as bacon and sausages can lead to significant increases in blood pressure when consumed frequently. Processed meats are also recognized as a contributing factor to bowel cancer due to the preservatives known as nitrates and nitrites, which can cause cellular damage within the body. The diet expert, who heads the nutritional company ZOE, acknowledged that while he tends to be more flexible with his dietary choices on Christmas Day, there are still boundaries he refuses to cross.

Cancer Research UK estimates that nearly one-sixth of the 44,000 annual bowel cancer cases in Britain are attributable to excessive consumption of ultra-processed meats.Professor Spector has also pointed out that certain sausages, which are the "pig" component of pigs in blankets, often contain emulsifiers—industrial additives used to enhance texture and prolong shelf life.

These emulsifiers have been implicated in the development of gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases, and they have been associated with an increased risk of bowel cancer.

The traditional Christmas pudding is also under scrutiny.