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It's simply human nature to focus on the good as the new year rolls around, which is why we make resolutions and eat certain foods. Superstitions about unlucky foods get forgotten — or ignored — but that doesn't mean they're not out there. Here's how not to eat your way to bad luck on New Year's Day and throughout the year. Double down on the traditions and add some lucky foods to your New Year's menu.
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If It Has Wings, Stay Away
Luckily chicken wings aren't go-to New Year's party fare, so there's very little risk of running into this superstitiously bad-luck food. Say no to a party foul and make sure your year's luck doesn't fly away.
When It Matters: New Year's Day
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Say No to Chicken
Chicken is a great year-round choice, but you'll have to give it up for one night. These birds scratch backwards, which can imply dwelling in the past or — even worse — the need to scrape by for your living.
When It Matters: New Year's Day
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Don't Eat White Foods
In Chinese tradition, white is an unlucky color because it symbolizes death, so all white foods are out for the celebration. Tofu, eggs, white cheeses — say goodbye to them for the night. We're not sure where brown eggs stand since they have white insides, but perhaps it's better to be safe and cook up something else.
When It Matters: New Year's Day
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Keep Lobsters Off the Menu
New Year's might seem like the time to indulge, but lobster shouldn't be the star of your menu. Their backwards swimming portends possible setbacks in the coming year.
When It Matters: New Year's Day
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Whatever You Eat, Don't Eat It All
This superstition is more of an implication. They say if you leave some food on your plate at the end of the night, the coming year will be one of plenty. Whether that means an average or lean year if you clean your plate is unknown. Think of it as a start to your diet resolution and leave a bite behind.
When It Matters: New Year's Day
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Don't Give Parsley as a Gift
We don't know why you would, but if you're ever tempted to gift someone fresh herbs, leave the parsley at home. Bring it to a party and not only will you get weird looks, bad luck will follow.
When It Matters: All year
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Let Your Chopsticks Slouch
Thank your lucky stars if your chopsticks fall to the side; setting chopsticks upright in a bowl mimics the incense used to honor the dead in China and Japan, and is, understandably, bad luck.
When It Matters: All year
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Don't Cut Bananas
As it turns out, bananas are just riddled with bad luck. Not only does cutting them bring bad luck — sorry, anyone who eats peanut butter and banana sandwiches — bringing them on board a boat can mean a poor fishing haul or even getting lost at sea for the crew.
When It Matters: All year
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Destroy Eggshells
After you daintily scoop your eggs out of their shells, make sure you crush the remainder. According to British tradition, if you don't, a witch will gather up the discarded eggshells to use as a boat. Once she has them, she'll sail around causing bad luck and storms.
When It Matters: All year
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Always Stir the Christmas Cake
You have more than one reason to help out in the kitchen this holiday season. It's believed that every member of the family should take a turn stirring the Christmas cake to avoid bad luck.
When It Matters: Christmas celebrations
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Add Milk to Your Tea Last
Tea lovers out there, listen up! There's a superstition that dooms you to life as an old maid if you add milk to your tea before sugar. Such a long punishment is hardly worth the risk, so keep the sugar bowl handy.
When It Matters: All year
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Don't Sniff the Basil
According to a superstition obviously not from Italy, sniffing basil will bring a scorpion into your brain.
When It Matters: All year
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Crack Them at Home
We're not completely dismissing these protein-packed snacks, just don't bring them to a performance. While they may be more acceptable at sporting events than string quartet performances, peanuts are equally bad luck for all performers, so select another snack.
When It Matters: At performances
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Say Yes to Slurping
You have a free pass for shameless slurping on New Year's Eve. In Chinese superstition, long noodles symbolize a long life, so keep knives off the place setting. If you slice up someone's noodles, it's as if you're cutting his life short.
When It Matters: All year
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Make Your Friends Pick Up Their Own Hot Peppers
Double check your recipe before you ask your friend to help out in the kitchen. If it involves hot peppers, handle them yourself. Passing them to your friend, however polite, can apparently bring trouble into your friendship.
When It Matters: All year
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Beware Hollow Bread
People used to believe that if you found a hole in a sliced loaf, it symbolized a coffin and portended someone's imminent death. We're glad this one has passed; nothing brings a holiday dinner to a halt like a bad omen.
When It Matters: All year
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