Eating These 6 Foods on New Year’s Day Brings Good Luck!

You’ve probably heard that eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day brings good luck, but did you know there are many traditional New Year’s Day meals and foods celebrated around the world? Many of these dishes are already vegan or can easily be adapted to be plant-based!

A few of the most popular foods include black-eyed peas, greens, lentils, noodles, cornbread, and pomegranate. Each of these foods carries its own unique symbolism and cultural significance, and they’re not only perfect for kicking off a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year but also make excellent choices throughout the year. Packed with plant-based protein, heart-healthy whole grains, and nutrient-rich greens, these foods should be year-round nutritional staples!

The Foods

1. Black-Eyed Peas

Black-eyed peas are a traditional “good luck food” in the southeastern United States, believed to bring prosperity, especially when served alongside cooked greens. Their unique flavor and versatility make them ideal for various dishes.

1. Black-eyed Pea and Spinach Cakes
2. Simple Slow Cooked Black Eyed Beans
3. Cozy Pot Pie With Black-Eyed Peas [Vegan]
4. Black Eyed Pea Chili With Corn Fritters [Vegan]
5. Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Kale Black Eyed Pea Soup [Vegan, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free]

2. Greens

In Germany, Ireland, and parts of the United States, greens are associated with good fortune because their leaves resemble money. Eating greens on New Year’s Day is believed to invite prosperity and wealth.

1. Cremini Mushroom, Rainbow Chard, Shallot Soup
2. Jazzy-licious Kale
3. Coconut Curry Zoodles with Asian Greens and Silken Tofu [Vegan]
4. Getting in Your Daily Greens with These Creative Meals!
5. Cooking with Dark Leafy Greens!

3. Cornbread

Cornbread is often enjoyed with black-eyed peas and greens in traditional southern meals and symbolizes gold, representing wealth and good fortune for the year ahead.

1. Harvest Cornbread
2. Almost Oil-Free Jalapeno Cornbread [Vegan]
3. Skillet Raspberry Cornbread [Vegan]
4. Chili Sin Carne Cornbread Pie [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
5. Blueberry Cornbread

4. Lentils

Lentils, with their coin-like shape, are traditionally consumed in Italy to bring good luck in the New Year. They are also an excellent source of protein and fiber, making them a nutritious addition to your meals.

1. Simple Lentil Dal
2. Lentil-Kale Vegan Risotto
3. Quinoa Lentil Meatballs [Vegan]
4. Lentil Dumplings: Savory Indian Donuts [Vegan]
5. Chipotle Lentil Taquitos [Vegan]

5. Noodles

Long noodles are eaten on New Year’s Day in many Asian countries to symbolize a long life. For extra luck, it’s customary not to break the noodle before it reaches your mouth, making for a fun dining experience!

1. Peanut Butter Spicy Noodles
2. Miso Roasted Pumpkin and Grilled Tofu Over Udon Noodles
3. Garlic-Chili Noodles [Vegan]
4. Bami: Javanese Sweet Soy Noodles [Vegan]
5. Umami Hakka Noodles [Vegan]

6. Pomegranate

In Mediterranean countries, pomegranates are often enjoyed to signify fertility and abundance in the New Year. Their vibrant seeds not only add color to dishes but also offer numerous health benefits.

1. Pomegranate Sweet and Sour Tempeh
2. 15 Plant-Based Pomegranate Recipes for the Winter Season
3. How to Grow Pomegranates at Home
4. Festive Pomegranate Couscous Salad [Vegan]
5. Bulgur With Papaya and Pomegranate [Vegan]

Which traditional foods will you be eating this New Year’s Day? Share your favorites in the comments section below!

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Unfortunately, dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer, and has many side effects. 

For those interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend purchasing one of our many plant-based cookbooks or downloading the Food Monster App, which has thousands of delicious recipes making it the largest vegan recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans

• Plant-Based Health Resources

• Plant-Based Food & Recipes

• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition

• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources

• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes

• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes