7 Lucky New Year’s Eve Foods

Many of the foods people around the world traditionally eat for luck to ring in the New Year are also good for you. Here are 7 lucky new year's foods (yes, we believe 7 is a lucky number) worth including at your gathering for a year of prosperity and good health!

By Meaghan Cameron

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Greens
Supposedly greens are eaten on New Year's Eve because they resemble money. They are also teeming with vitamins and minerals so eat up!

Try: Sesame Greens and Bean Sprouts

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Beans
Beans, like greens, resemble money. More specifically, they symbolize coins. Whether you choose black beans, lentils or black-eyes peas, try some healthy fiber-filled beans to soak up that champagne.

Try: Warm Lentil and Roasted Pepper Salad

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Fish
Fish is lucky for a couple of reasons. Its scales resemble money and fish swim in schools which invoke the idea of abundance. There are also plenty of nutritional benefits. Fatty fish (salmon and tuna) are filled with Omega-3s and leaner fish (tilapia and sole) are a great source of protein.

Try: Salmon With Mango Salsa

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Fruit
Fruit of many kinds is consumed on New Year's Eve. The Mexicans pop a grape for each stroke of midnight. Each one represents a month. If it's bitter, watch out for that month! The pomegranate's many seeds symbolize prosperity. Figs are a symbol of fertility. Chow down on fruit for a healthy sweet treat.

Try: Watermelon Boat Salad

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Noodles and Grains
Noodles and grains (rice, quinoa, barley) are symbols of long life and abundance respectively. Made of buckwheat, soba noodles are a great source of fiber. Slurp the noodles whole for even more luck. Try a risotto made creamy with stock--not actual cream---or the great soba noodle recipe below.

Try: Teriyaki-Style Noodles With Tofu

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Pork
Pigs are a lucky symbol because they root forward and are rotund. Even though some pork can be fatty, like bacon, it is often used in small amounts for flavoring. Other cuts can be very low in fat. Traditionally, in the south, pork, beans and greens are combined in a dish called Hoppin' John for New Year's Eve. You can also try our healthy dish below.

Try: Pesto-Coated Pork Chops

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Cake
Although cake isn't customarily considered healthy, a little indulgence can be a healthy thing for stress relief. Ring shaped cakes-sometimes with trinkets baked inside-are a symbol of coming full circle. Indulge a little with the delicious chocolate recipe below.

Try: Molten Chocolate Cakes