Over 50 million individual sprouts will end up in food waste bins this Christmas

More than 50 million sprouts will be chucked into the bin this Christmas, according to research.

A survey of 2,000 adults found 15 per cent expect to bin the distasted veg this festive season, each typically tossing seven of the little green balls after clearing plates on the Christmas day.

The research was commissioned by Too Good To Go, a global marketplace for surplus food that helps users rescue good food from going to waste.

A spokesperson for Too Good To Go, the global marketplace for surplus food that helps users rescue good food from going to waste, which commissioned the research, said: “Every Christmas we see people buying far more food than they actually need, often because no one wants to be caught short over the holidays.

“But overbuying is one of the biggest drivers of household food waste.

“By planning ahead and being realistic about what you’ll actually use, it’s much easier to make the most of every ingredient and stop perfectly good food from going to waste.

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“By doing so, the hope is people can enjoy a more sustainable Christmas without the unnecessary waste.”   

A quarter of Brits (26 per cent) blame people’s dislike of sprouts on childhood tastes they just ca not shake off, while 16 per cent just do not like how they look.

And while sprouts topped the list of festive foods likely to end up in the bin, they were followed by gravy (10 per cent) and broccoli (10 per cent).

With nearly six in 10 (56 per cent) openly admitting to overbuying elements of the Christmas dinner.

Of those who often end up overbuying, 56 per cent want to make sure there is enough for everyone, and 37 per cent worry about running out of essentials.

While a third (32 per cent) overestimate how much people will eat, and 20 per cent get tempted by special offers and buy things they may not have planned to.

When it comes to sprouts, 67 per cent reckon people moan about eating them but buy them anyway.

And nearly a quarter (23 per cent) admitted they usually buy a Christmas cake every year, even if they don’t think anyone will eat it.

As many as 74 per cent also think they really should buy less food for the next event they host, after over-catering – even though they’re likely to do the same again.

And 13 per cent admitted they are not confident in their ability to estimate the right amount of food for guests, according to the OnePoll.com figures.

But to help minimise food waste, 53 per cent will work leftovers into sandwiches or wraps and 36 per cent shift into ‘soup mode’, building up hearty soups and stews.

A spokesperson for Too Good To Go added: “Being creative with leftovers is a fantastic way to use up things that didn’t get eaten on December 25th.

“If you’re smart with your shopping habits, plan things ahead of time and make sure you’ve made room in your freezer, you can pretty much carry on eating your Christmas dinner until Easter.    

“Not only that, leftovers from Christmas are also a great opportunity to share with friends and family or even those in your community who might be in need.”