Gen Z and Millennials are shunning traditional Christmas food in favour of plant-based meals and global foods, a new study from Aldi has found. 

A poll, conducted among 2,000 adults who celebrate Christmas, indicates that 78% of those born in 1996 or later fancy more plant-based roasts and globally inspired dishes at their festive meals.

The discount grocer’s findings show that 54% of Millennials and Gen Z believe that traditional Christmas dishes need a modern twist to stay relevant.

Among the least popular festive foods are Christmas pudding, mince pies and Christmas cake, with 56% of respondents labelling classics like Brussels sprouts as ‘dated’.

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Gen Z’s preferences lean towards loaded fries, crispy fried chicken and pizza for their Christmas dinner, while desserts like cheesecake (33%), chocolate gateau (29%) and ice cream (25%) are favoured over traditional options.

In response to these trends, Aldi, which predicts it will sell more than 2.3 million Christmas puddings this year, has introduced a ‘Christmas Pudding Exchange Service’, allowing customers to swap unwanted puddings for a dessert they prefer.

This initiative, which will run until 28 December, allows shoppers to return any Christmas pudding, regardless of where it was purchased, at a Community Donation Point in-store and receive a £10 voucher for the supermarket’s dessert range.

Aldi’s dessert offerings include the new Specially Selected Melting Bombes (£6.49), the Specially Selected Marbled Roulade (£3.99) and the Belgian Chocolate Ganache Pinecones (£3.99).

Aldi UK managing director of buying Julie Ashfield said: “At Aldi, we’re aware that tastes are evolving, so whether you want turkey and all the trimmings or loaded fries and pizza for Christmas, we have something for everyone.”

Despite the shift in tastes, 61% of Gen Z believe their parents will still serve Christmas pudding this year.