Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

The Lunar New Year of the Snake is around the corner, and this culture-defining event to celebrate and wish for another year of prosperity is everywhere. With smaller gatherings and a growing emphasis on healthy eating and environmental awareness in recent years, it’s the perfect opportunity to prepare a seasonal feast of delicious, nutritionally balanced foods that embody the traditional festive spirit and demonstrate a commitment to a more sustainable future.

1. Local seasonal delights for the best tastes:

When considering protein sources, take advantage of the palatable seasonal seafood such as flathead grey mullet, beltfish, amberjack, sixfinger threadfin, sea bass, giant mottled eel, shrimp and clam. They are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids which benefit brain and cardiovascular health; for meat choices, use locally raised pork for less odor and more lean mass, and locally raised poultry for better texture and nutrition. What's more, local foodstuffs are also transported with less carbon (and greenhouse gas) emissions, making them healthy and environmentally responsible.

2. Leverage the nutrition in unprocessed foodstuffs:

Processed foodstuffs such as hot pot ingredients, meatballs, sausages and cured meat are fairly common in Lunar New Year feast. They’re abundant in fats, sodium and additives and can easily “overload” your body. It is recommended to use unprocessed foodstuffs, preferably low-fat (non-fried) bean products and “white meats” (seafood, chicken) instead of red meats (beef, pork) to ensure the supply of quality proteins with less concern of fats. These choices also offer a myriad of nutrients, such as vitamin E and phytochemicals from bean products, and omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and selenium from seafood.

3. Dietary fiber from veggies and fruits for wholesome meals:

Locally grown vegetables and fruits are not only low carbon emission foodstuffs as shorter transportation under refrigeration reduces energy consumption, but taste better as their freshness and nutrition are better retained. To go for seasonal choices, try high-fiber starch sources include yam, lotus root, taro, potatoes; vegetables such as radish, cabbage, napa cabbage, leaf mustard, Chinese kale, crown daisy, spinach, lettuce, bell pepper, winter bamboo shoots, Chinese pea and mushroom; and fruits like guava, orange, jujube and citrus. Bountiful meals and festive snacks can easily cause excess calorie intake, this can be managed by eating more vegetables and fruits.

4. Portioning for food longevity:

To enjoy Lunar New Year to its fullest, it’s also important to pay attention to food safety and sanitation. The five “DO”s can help: DO wash hands, DO keep it fresh, DO separate uncooked and cooked foodstuffs, DO pay attention to storage temperature, and DO heat thoroughly. It is also recommended to carefully plan the size of meals. This allows you to portion frozen food such as ribs, prawns, and pork balls, and keep uncooked parts fresh while avoiding repeated heating of cooked food. With careful planning, you can also avoid crowding in the refrigerator which can reduce cooling efficiency.

As a final note, Taipei City Government Department of Health suggests physical activities to burn the calories from the hearty meals and stay fit.