If you could use some good luck in 2017, it can't hurt to try to serve some lucky New Year's foods for dinner on January 1. However, there are at least two foods that you should steer clear of — apparently they aren't so lucky and may keep you from enjoying good health, wealth, and happiness.
Of course, there's no scientific proof that the foods listed below will actually bring you good luck — or bad luck for that matter — but why not start 2017 off right and stick with the grub that has some positive potential?
What's the deal with these unlucky foods?
Let's get the bad news out of the way first. Apparently you shouldn't eat chicken or lobster when you celebrate New Year's Day with friends and family. According to Delish, chickens scratch backwards(who knew?) and lobsters swim backward (really?), so someone came up with the theory that if you eat either of these foods you'll experience setbacks in the new year.
But seriously, is there anything better than a baked lobster tail or a big pile of buffalo chicken wings? Take your chances — maybe you will eat them and reverse the bad karma associated with these foods.
These six foods apparently bring good luck
Admit it. 2016 was a crazy year for most people — the presidential election and the death of some of our most beloved celebrities top the list of "can this year get any worse?" So, in an effort to move forward and at least start the year out on a positive note, you may want to try one or more of these supposedly lucky New Year's foods listed below.
Ring Shaped Foods: We're not talking Ring Pops here — although they are pretty tasty. Eating ring-shaped food supposedly signifies a year coming full circle, so stuff your face with a bagel or doughnut and worry about the calories later.
Pork: Bacon, ham, pork chops — cook something pork-ish and you may have a prosperous New Year.
Bon Appetit states that pigs are a symbol of progress and their round bodies symbolize prosperity, so go eat some pork.
Eat 12 Grapes at midnight — Ring in 2017 by swallowing 12 grapes (red or green). Somehow, each grape symbolizes 12 sweet months to come in the new year. Be careful, though — if you eat the grapes too fast and choke on them, that New Year's fun would stop right there.
Fish: Apparently the scales on a fish resemble coins, so eat some fish and go buy a lottery ticket.
Greens: some kale or Even if you don't like salad, you may want to make one — some people believe that if you eat lots of greens (spinach, collard greens, lettuce), your fortune will grow by leaps and bounds. It's time to bring out your inner rabbit and eat more greens!
Beans, peas, and lentils, oh my! Otherwise known as legumes, these little guys are said to be a symbol of good fortune because they look like coins. Okay, oddly shaped coins, but why question it? Make some chili, lentil soup, or go all-out and make the traditional New Year's meal call Hoppin' John. It's jam-packed with good luck foods including bacon and black-eyed peas. Good luck in a bowl? I'll take it.
