Healthy Christmas Food Ideas for 2026

Bring some balance to the festive season with our ultimate guide to healthy Christmas food, with expert tips, tricks and feelgood recipes.

Content editor

Ellie Spicer

Christmas is all about celebration, but that doesn't mean putting your health goals on hold.

"There are still plenty of opportunities to balance seasonal indulgence with healthy, nourishing foods, while still enjoying your favourites on the big day," says M&S Head of Nutrition, Grace Ricotti.

Try our healthy recipes developed with our in-house nutrition team, and discover Grace's top five healthy hacks to keep you on track during the busy season, without missing out on delicious festive flavours. Plus, try our healthy festive dinner menu, featuring recipes with our Eat Well health seal of approval.

More healthy tips

5 healthy hacks for the festive season

Read on for expert tips from our Head of Nutrition, Grace Ricotti. Plus, try our warming, seasonal healthy recipes – all of which feature our Eat Well sunflower.

Healthy recipes

1. Start the day right

"Set yourself up with a breakfast that includes a good balance of protein, vitamins and minerals, healthy fats and fibre," says Grace. "It will get you on your way to meeting your daily health goals."

Try the recipe: Mince pie overnight oats

Zesty oats, dried fruit and grated apple are combined with High Protein Vanilla Yogurt for all the flavours of a mince pie in healthy breakfast form.

Overnight oats recipe

2. Up your plant diversity

"This time of year is a great time to ensure you’re eating 30 plants a week – focus on a different variety of seasonal produce and add more with things like seeds, nuts and spices. Embrace seasonal vegetables, aim for dishes with plenty of colour and look out for our Remarksable Value produce in store."

Try the recipe: Homemade super seedy toppers

Prep a batch of these crunchy toppers at the start of the week, then scatter over smoothie bowls, salads, curries or toast for an easy way to add more plant diversity and fibre.

Seedy topper recipe

3. Look for lean and plant-based proteins

"Lean proteins like turkey (not just for Christmas!) are a great option for midweek meals. Ensure they're balanced with plenty of fibre from fresh veggies, beans and pulses."

Try the recipe: High protein one-pot turkey and bean bake

Juicy turkey meatballs, creamy cannellini beans and hidden veg come together in this family-friendly bake, topped with mozzarella and golden breadcrumbs. It's high in protein with 54g per serving, and a source of fibre, with 19g per serving.

Turkey bake recipe

4. Focus on fibre

"Most of us aren’t getting our 30g of fibre a day, so it’s super important at this time of year to make fibre a priority, particularly when our diets can be more indulgent. Add extra veg or lentils to dishes your family are already making to up the fibre content."

Try the recipe: Turmeric, lemongrass and split pea broth

With 4.7g of fibre per serving, this warming dish is made with turmeric, lemongrass, greens and creamy yellow split peas. Double up and pop half in the freezer for later.

Broth recipe here

5. Switch up your snacking

"There are lots of sweet treats and snacks around at this time of year – they’re what Christmas is all about! Try prepping some healthier homemade snacks to keep on hand throughout the week."

Try the recipe: Cranberry and orange protein balls

With sweet cranberries, orange, oats and cashew butter, these healthy no-bake protein balls (with 4.7g protein per serving) are a festive snack that's perfect for keeping in the fridge for when hunger strikes.

Protein ball recipe

Healthy Christmas menu

Whether you're hosting a winter dinner party or want some special dishes to enjoy in the run up to the big day, give this healthy Christmas menu a go. Put fresh, seasonal flavours centre stage with succulent scallops, citrussy roast salmon and a zingy ginger kombucha mocktail. Each recipe has our Eat Well seal of approval, so you know it's a healthy choice.

More Christmas recipes

Starter: Seared scallops with celeriac and apple remoulade

Sweet, succulent scallops are paired with crisp celeriac and apple remoulade made with 0% fat Greek yogurt, fresh herbs and plenty of lemon juice. Fresh and creamy, these have 19.6g protein per serving – a wow-worthy start to the meal.

Scallop recipe

Main: Roast salmon with clementines and fennel

Vibrant, fresh and citrussy, this roasted salmon recipe is a flavour-packed festive centrepiece. Two salmon joints are roasted on a bed of crunchy fennel and sweet clementines, then glazed with spicy hot honey for a satisfying balance. A scattering of caperberries adds a final punchy flourish. This festive fish recipe carries our Eat Well sunflower and contains 35g protein per serving.

Salmon recipe

Drink: Christmas ginger kombucha mocktail

This refreshing mocktail features our Fiery Ginger Kombucha, tart cranberry and fresh, bright clementine – the perfect partner to your festive feast. It would also make a zingy alternative to your Christmas morning Bucks Fizz.

Mocktail recipe

Keep health in the present this Christmas with M&S Food

Good food is there to be enjoyed, especially at Christmas. From colourful seasonal dishes to much-loved festive favourites, there’s room for it all. For more recipes, expert tips and everyday inspiration, explore our health hub, or browse all our healthy ranges in store in the home of health.

Visit the Health Hub

Published 08/11/2026