Christmas specials sold as ‘meal deals’ at Tesco, Asda and Waitrose can contain up to 775 calories

It’s that time of year when festive sandwiches start to appear on the shelves of supermarkets and large cafes across the country.

Christmas dinner between slices of bread, pigs in blankets on rolls and brie and cranberry bowls are just some of the delicious options available at the likes of Tesco, Waitrose and Pret.

But while the festive season is often seen as a time for indulgence, some may be shocked to discover that these lunchtime treats are packed with more calories than a McDonald’s burger and fries.

Even some plant-based sandwiches contain more calories than a fast-food chain cheeseburger.

And that’s just for the sandwich. Almost every store offers a meal deal that encourages people to buy drinks and snacks that can contain hundreds of more calories.

Experts advised Brits to only go for the festive lunchtime sandwiches a couple of times between now and Christmas – and to choose the meal that has less sugar and salt.

MailOnline looked at the nutritional content of around 80 festive-themed sandwiches sold at 12 supermarkets and coffee chains, including Aldi, Sainsbury’s and Starbucks, and compared the most calorie-dense option available in each store.

Asda’s Festive Feast Triple Wrap (£3.30) was found to be the most calorific, with a whopping 774 calories in three wraps, which are filled with turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing, mayonnaise and cranberry sauce.

This is more caloric than a McDonald’s Big Mac and small fries (730 calories).

Pret’s Christmas Lunch Baguette (£4.75) is the second worst offender with 702 calories in the sandwich, which is filled with turkey, cranberry sauce, pork filling and crispy onions.

For context, this accounts for about 40 percent of a woman’s recommended 2,000 calories per day and 30 percent of a man’s 2,500 calories.

A specially selected Turkey & Pigs in Bloomer at Aldi (£2.49) contains 598 calories. This is more than two McDonald’s Cheeseburgers (298 calories each).

Costa’s Vegan Pigs and Blankets Panini (£4.75) has 571 calories – as much as around three mince pies.

In the Pigs Under Blanket Roll sold at Starbucks, there are 545 calories – the equivalent of two Kit Kat Chunky bars and a can of Coca Cola.

Tesco’s Finest Smoked Turkey Club Sandwich (£3.25) is packed with 543 calories – about as much as four packets of Walker’s Ready Salted Crisps.

A Pigs Under Blankets Tostati Melt at Caffe Nero (£4.50) has 529 calories. This is more than six McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives.

The Christmas Triple sold at Boots (£3.35), which contains three different sandwiches – turkey, ham and cheese, has 520 calories. This is more than a KFC chicken stick and fries (445).

At Waitrose, the highest-calorie option is its Christmas Pigs Under Blankets sandwich (£3.50), which has 509 calories. This is equivalent to a small vanilla milkshake and brownie from McDonald’s.

In addition to being loaded with calories, some were full of salt. Adults are advised to stick to less than 6g per day to avoid high blood pressure while children, depending on their age, are advised to eat more than 2g.

But one option at Pret – its Christmas lunch baguette (£4.75) – had 3.05g per portion.

Meanwhile, Costa’s Vegan Pigs and Blankets Panini had 2.7g – despite possibly being perceived as healthier, as it is meat-free.

And while the lunch treats are seen as a tasty option, some had almost twice as much sugar as sweet snacks.

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Ultimate Christmas Dinner Feast (£4.50) had 23.6g of sugar. By comparison, a Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Donut has 12.6g.

Eating too much sugar over time can lead to weight gain and tooth decay.

At the other end of the scale, the festive smoked salmon and soft cheese sandwich at Waitrose (£4.50) has just 325 calories, while a Shapers Turkey, Cranberry and Stuffing option at Boots (£3) has 337.

Dr Duane Mellor, a dietitian from Aston Medical School in Birmingham, told MailOnline that although the sandwiches will be on sale for more than a month until December 25, they should only be enjoyed “once or maybe twice”, as a Christmas dinner.

He advised people to look at what’s in the sandwich – as those with multiple filling options “tend to add extra fat, salt and sugar”.

“Some people may be surprised that up to six teaspoons of sugar can be in a Christmas sandwich,” he said.

“And just because it’s plant-based doesn’t mean it’s healthy because some of these can contain three and a half teaspoons of sugar,” Dr Mellor added.

Sheena Bhageerutty, assistant nutritionist at Action on Salt and Action on Sugar, told MailOnline: ‘With Christmas fast approaching, festive foods are filling supermarket shelves.

“During these festivities, we often forget to consider the high salt, sugar and calorie content of foods, such as these festive sandwiches; especially when you consider that many children may be eating these products.

“One of these sandwiches contains almost six teaspoons of sugar and another contains almost half of an adult’s recommended daily intake of salt in just one meal.

“This reinforces the critical need for food manufacturers to be held accountable and transparent with us so we can make informed healthier food options.”

Dr Linda Greenwall, a dentist and founder of the Dental Wellness Trust, told MailOnline: ‘These findings are startling, particularly given that some of the sandwiches analyzed are likely to contain more calories, fat, sugar and salt than some fast food meals .

“Also, people may be surprised to learn that a sandwich filling can contain an outrageous amount of sugars, which is not only bad for our general health, but also our dental health.”