Lucky Food for your New Year’s Dinner

There’s no substitute for hard work, but it won’t hurt to have a few good vibes. Boost your success and prosperity in 2011 by filling your New Year’s table with lucky food.

This list of good luck food is taken from traditions from around the world. While there’s obviously no scientific basis for this belief, many people continue to practice it, to honor their customs, or just on the off-chance that they may work. Every little bit of good luck helps!

Fill up on greens

Green leafy vegetables are often served on New Year’s because their color and shape resemble money. Try making a salad, or plating your favorite meat dish on an attractive bed of lettuce. They’re also rich in nutrients, and can even help you manage your holiday binging—fill up on salads before you attack the fatty meats, and you’re bound to eat less without feeling deprived.

Beans, beans good for your heart…and luck

While leaves resemble paper money, beans are thought to resemble coins. The good news is that you’ve got plenty of beans to chose from, and a variety of dishes to incorporate them in. Try serving lentils, black beans, or black-eyed peas.

Fight bad luck with fish

The Chinese always serve a large sea fish on New Year’s and special occasions like weddings. That’s because fish has many lucky ‘signs.’ Its individual scales also look like money. Fish also tend to swim in schools, which are thought to symbolize protection (in the form of allies) and abundance. For greater luck the fish are served whole, and the larger it is, the better!

Whether it’s really lucky or not, fish can certainly bode well for your health. Many sea fish like salmon and tuna are fortified with Omega-3 fatty acids (which can also boost your mood). They are also considered one of the best sources of protein.

Round up the luck with round fruits

Many cultures promote eating round fruits during the New Year. As midnight strikes the Mexicans eat a grape.
The Chinese, on the other hand, fill a basket with lucky fruits: oranges, grapes, or anything that’s round. In other cultures, figs are considered to symbolize fertility and are given to newlyweds or couples who want to have a child.

Fruits also make a festive and healthy addition to your New Year’s feast. Use a melon ball scoop to scoop out the flesh of watermelons, mangoes and other colorful and serve in a bowl.

Eat noodles for a long life

Noodles have long been seen by the Asians as a symbol of long life. Traditionally they must not be cut or snapped during food preparation—they remain intact, in their lengthy glory.

Serve an Asian inspired noodle dish or adapt this custom while applying the flavors of other cuisines. Nearly every country has a unique noodle dish. Spaghetti and meatballs anyone? (That’s noodles and round things, for double luck!)

Pig out

Serve pork at your New Year’s meal. Pigs are considered to be a symbol of abundance, because they are round and full of fat—bad in your cardiologist’s opinion, but good luck because it means you will have a lot of luck ‘stored’ for the year.

If you’re worried about fat content, don’t fry the pork. Grill it or roast it, or serve small amounts of pork in a mixed vegetable dish.

Let them eat cake

The Chinese believe it’s important to serve something sweet at the New Year’s feast, to ensure a sweet life. They typically have a bowl of candies on the table, but you can also serve ring shaped cakes with ‘treasures’ (like gifts or more goodies) within its circle.

For other New Year Party ideas check out our tips on planning an elegant New Year Party and how to keep party guests happy.

Photo from matakaw-ako.com