When ringing in the new year in traditional Chinese fashion, you have to consider the importance of < href=”http://www.absolutelyfengshui.com/others/chinese-new-year-food.php”>Chinese New Year food as well. Food plays a huge part in such celebrations. The Chinese New Year is a particularly special one. It is one of the most important Chinese holidays. Sometimes called the Spring Festival, sometimes called the Lunar New Year, it takes place on the first day of the first lunar month, as denoted by the Chinese calendar. It ends on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

There is a wealth of opportunity to eat delicious and symbolic food during this celebration. It is served for a two week period. From the first day of the first lunar month, the celebration lasts until the fifteenth day of the month. Some people have the food catered, some people make it themselves, but the food served is always strongly symbolic.

One traditional food which may surprise you is chicken – but not just any chicken. Generally whole chickens are served. This is because an entire chicken symbolizes togetherness within the family. Serving one means that the family will be together and happy for the < href=”http://www.absolutelyfengshui.com/dateselection/chinese-new-year-dates.php”>coming year.

Serving noodles is almost a requirement. They are very special. They are the symbol for a long life well lived. That is why it is important never to cut long noodles. Doing so could be unlucky. Clams and Spring rolls symbolize good fortune and wealth. The clams resemble gold bouillon. The rolls resemble bars of gold.

Other foods are significant during the New Year because of the way they sound. Literally, they are used because of the Chinese pronunciation of the word. Lettuce is a good example of this. In Cantonese, the word for it sounds fortuitous. Likewise, certain citrus fruits are served because the words for them sound like forebears of good fortune, such as “luck” and “wealth.”

Fish is also frequently served. It has several symbols attached to it. The Chinese word for fish is “yu.” It sounds like the words for terms of good fortune. As well, the fish itself is considered indicative of good luck. When it is served whole with both the head and tail in tact, it is indicative of the year’s good beginning and ending.

When you speak about take away food, they are always considered as being fattening and bad for your health, but people never really realise that some of the menu is more healthy than others. Obviously choosing something like a vegetable curry will be more healthy than something greasy and wrapped in batter. It’s all simply knowing what’s good and what’s bad for you, then you will be able to be healthy while enjoying a meal treat.

Here is a little guide to help you choose the healthiest options next time you order in a takeaway.

Fish and Chips: Although you can’t really avoid them, chips tend to be the worst things at chip shops, as for the others, sausages and pies are the other worst offenders. On the other hand, the best items are mainly fish, try and have code, haddock or plaice as these are the least fatty.

Pizza: The worst choice you could have would be to have a deep pan base as these contain the most fat. As for the toppings of the pizza, try and stay away from having extra cheesy toppings or things like pepperoni. If you’re going for the healthy option, have a thing crust with either fish or vegetables on top.

Chinese: With this, try and avoid crispy and greasy items because it generally means they have been deep fried. The items to try and avoid would be sweet and sour battered pork balls, spring rolls, and specially fried rice. If you are going for the healthy line, stick with items that are steamed. Choosing items like boiled rice, beef, chicken, crab and corn soup, and steamed vegetables are the best for you.

Indian food: Just like Chinese, you should try and keep away from deep fried things and items that are creamy as these will have the most fat. The healthiest items are vegetable curry, chicken tikka, madras or bhuna. Boiled rice would be the healthiest item to have with these mains.

Hopefully when you order your next takeaway, you will change from your usual large chips and jumbo sausage to something a little healthier. As I wrote that, I was certainly shocked because I order all of the bad stuff, but I guess that’s the way it is. The food that is the best tasting is, more often than not, the wort for us.