Good food and Good Luck

Celebrating new year’s is a great way to welcome the new year ahead and create healthy habits for yourself.

Many countries across the world have food traditions that symbolize a good year. Here are the top seven foods that will guarantee this is your year!

Sauerkraut

Our first good luck charm arose for two different reasons. Originating from Germany and Eastern Europe, this vegetable was commonly grown in a late harvest and fermented for six to eight weeks. Luckily by then, the new year was just around the corner and the finished sauerkraut was ready to be eaten. Because of this, cabbage from sauerkraut is believed to symbolize long life and money. Who doesn't like the sound of that?

Black-eyed Peas

Black-eyed peas are a staple for New Year's as being the most popular food tradition, and rightfully so. There are multiple reasons why black-eyed peas bring good fortune. One theory originates from the civil war, in which the union soldiers left only this bean after raiding the confederate army’s food supply. The good luck also stems from the emancipation proclamation when newly freed African American slaves celebrated while eating black-eyed peas because of how accessible it was. Black-eyed peas will ensure a great and successful year.

Greens

Growing up, I was always told to eat green and wear green for good luck. My family specifically follows this one during the holidays. According to tradition in the South, eating collard greens warded off “evil spirits”. Green is also believed to represent money and prosperity. Make sure to guarantee your year is full of success with collard greens and black-eyed peas, which pair very well together.

Lentils

Lentils bringing good luck derives from Italian tradition. Allegedly, eating lentils after midnight on New Year’s Eve promised prosperity. It is traditionally also eaten with pork and sausage. Good luck and good food sounds like a plan!

Fish

I was pleasantly surprised to find fish as one of the luckiest foods to eat on New Year’s Eve. For those that live next to the coast, such as Scandinavia, herring fish has been a sign of good fortune as migration patterns are unpredictable. Once caught, they represented prosperity for the country’s economy and people. Pickled herring makes a great addition to a New Year’s Eve party platter.

Noodles

Eating noodles on New Year’s is one tradition that I will gladly be a part of. In Asian countries, such as Japan and China, noodles represented longevity in one’s life. Stir fry noodles are a great way to ensure you live a long healthy life.

Fruit

Many countries have unique traditions as to what fruit signifies good fortune. In Mexico, grapes are eaten at midnight on New Year’s Day to symbolize the year ahead. Filipino culture involves multiple fruits, specifically twelve to represent every month of the year. A few fruits include mangoes, watermelon, and round fruits. Globally, pomegranate is believed to symbolize fertility and birth. Eat a fruit bowl on New Year’s and watch the luck roll in.

Many cultures across the world have unique beliefs and traditions that symbolize good fortune and prosperity for their country and themselves. Not only will these seven foods bring you into the new year with a positive mindset and a sense of hope, they also provide something nutritious.

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Be well, Auburn