The confetti may have disappeared from Times Square, but there’s another new year in town. According to the Almanac, the Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is celebrated around the world every year between January 21st and February 20th, depending on when his second new moon after the winter solstice appears. widely celebrated. Each year, 12 Chinese zodiac animals are named, and this year is the Year of the Rabbit.
According to the Smithsonian, many countries besides China, including Vietnam and South Korea, celebrate holidays, and people around the world celebrate them as part of their traditions.
The centerpiece of the Lunar New Year gathering is the traditional food. In fact, many of these foods have important symbolic meanings associated with New Year celebrations. Spring rolls are eaten to increase wealth, reports the Food Network.
It can be difficult to maintain a healthy diet while enjoying traditional Chinese New Year celebrations with all these celebratory foods. That’s because it’s high in sugar and low in the valuable vitamins, minerals, and fiber your body needs to function at its best.
One way to find balance is to include more fruits and vegetables in your Lunar New Year meal. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals that are lacking in traditional holiday meals, and when enjoyed with indulgent foods, they can help achieve nutritional balance. are abundantly included. This is a nutrient noted by the American Nutrition Association and sorely lacking in the typical American diet.
Another way to make your Lunar New Year meals healthier is to watch your portions. It’s easy to overeat when you’re surrounded by delicious food at a celebration, but moderation is key. Instead of stacking your plate high, as recommended by the MyPlate guidelines, fill your plate about half with fruits and vegetables, one-quarter with protein such as tofu or fish, and the other quarter with protein. fill it with grain.
You can also make small changes to traditional recipes to make them healthier while still enjoying your favorite dishes. Add, opt for brown rice instead of white rice. These simple swaps can reduce the total calorie and fat content of a meal while adding nutrients and maintaining the all-time-loved taste.
Dumplings are one of the most popular Lunar New Year foods and are said to represent prosperity as they are shaped like ancient Chinese coins. boston globeIn addition, gyoza is delicious! It’s also easy to make them healthier by using lean proteins and vegetables in the filling, and steaming instead of frying to remove additional fat. fun!). Ready to start your Lunar New Year celebration? Try Easy Dumplings!