For many, the frantic run-up to Christmas is a recipe for dietary disaster. Between office parties, last-minute shopping, and festive preparations, cooking nutritious evening meals often becomes an impossible task, replaced by hurried snacks and takeaways.
Putting the Festive Delights Box to the Test
Elaine Blackburne, a Network Content Editor, decided this year would be different. She tried Slimming World Kitchen's new "Festive Delights" recipe box, launched for December, to see if she could maintain healthy eating and even lose weight before the Christmas feast.
The service, which launched last year, offers a rotating menu of 15 meals every fortnight. Customers can select up to five meals per week for two or four people, with portions typically costing between £5 and £7, most around £5.50 or £6. The festive menu featured Christmassy twists like "Turkey saag aloo" and "God zest ye merry venison lasagne".
For her trial in early December, Elaine selected four meals for two from the first week's offering:
- Have yourself a very tasty chicken traybake
- Spruced-up allspice steak with horseradish mash
- Merry & bright salmon and beetroot gratin
- Veg & lentil sleighbake with crispy sprouts
The Meals: Simple, Luxurious, and Surprisingly Generous
The box arrived promptly. The chicken traybake, prepared by her husband, was a hit. Described as "creamy and luxurious," it didn't taste like a diet meal. It introduced new flavours like allspice and sage, and the two-person portion generously fed three adults and a hungry teenager.
The vegetarian Veg & lentil sleighbake was "fulfilling and hearty." A standout was the method for Brussels sprouts: spritzed with oil and baked until crispy, transforming their flavour. The salmon and beetroot gratin, ready in 45 minutes, featured large fillets and a handy pre-portioned pot of Greek yoghurt and fresh dill.
The final meal, allspice steak with horseradish mash, was a revelation. The mash had the perfect amount of spice, elevating a simple side into something special.
What Worked and What Didn't
The reviewer highlighted several major positives. Each meal came with a full recipe book for all menu items, allowing customers to recreate favourites themselves. The packaging was sturdy, with chilled items separated. Allergens were clearly marked, and instructions were straightforward.
A significant benefit was the lack of waste, allowing experimentation with new herbs and spices without buying whole jars. Every meal used fresh ingredients, was simple to make, and offered substantial portions, representing good value for busy households.
The only minor issue was that three of the ingredient bags had split during transit, though the clear recipes made it easy to identify the loose items. Elaine noted this hadn't happened in previous orders and was easily resolved.
The Final Verdict: A Pre-Christmas Victory
The most crucial question was answered: did it help? Yes, emphatically. Despite December's temptations, using the box for a week led to a 3.5lb weight loss. Elaine cited saved money on takeaways and grab-and-go foods as a key financial benefit.
She concluded that while geared towards the Slimming World plan, the boxes are ideal for anyone seeking convenient, healthier meals with clear calorie and macro breakdowns. Her final thought: "This one is not just for Christmas but all year round."
