50 National Healthy Food Holidays
Every dog has its day, and that day is July 23, 2016, otherwise known as National Hot Dog Day.
No matter what your favorite food may be, there's probably a holiday to honor it—assuming, of course, that the manufacturers and marketers of said food have enough money to hire a lobbyist to get the necessary legislation passed. Which is why there's a National Cold Cut Day (March 3), National Chicken Wing Day (July 29), and National Cookie Day (December 4), allowing companies such as Oscar Meyer, Perdue, and Nabisco to cash in on the marketing opportunities such celebratory occasions present.
But that means that some of our less-processed, more humble foods—the acorn squash, for example, or the chia seed, or the halibut—miss out on the party. While packaged goods like brownies (December 8), potato chips (March 14), and even ice cream sodas (August 2) get to celebrate, those of us who'd rather rally around healthy fare are often left feeling like the unpopular kid on Homecoming night.
Fortunately, not every national holiday has to look like Cookie Monster's last meal. The editors at Eat This, Not That! have unearthed some celebratory opportunities for foods that are, yes, a little closer to the earth. Whether you're a fan of the slow-carb burn of sweet potatoes, the belly-filling fiber of artichokes, or the heart-healthy fats of pistachios, we've got the party for you. See which days are your favorites—and then check out the 23 Healthy Foods Celebs Can't Get Enough Of for more food inspo!
January 6
National Beans Day
January 9
National Apricot Day
January 13
National Gluten Free Day
January 16
National Hot and Spicy Day
Suggested recipes: 20 Spicy Recipes That Will Fire Up Your Metabolism
January 21
National Granola Bar Day
January 24
National Peanut Butter Day
Exclusive! The 36 Top Peanut Butters—Ranked
February 1
National Dark Chocolate Day
February 4
National Homemade Soup Day
Suggested recipes: 20 Best-Ever Fat Burning Soups
February 8
National Potato Lover's Day
February 16
National Almond Day
Watch: Video: 5 Favorite Flat-Ab Foods from a Celeb Trainer
February 22
National Sweet Potato Day
February 23
National Banana Bread Day
ICYMI: 20 Healthy Banana Bread Recipes
February 26
National Pistachio Day
February 27
National Strawberry Day
March 1
National Peanut Butter Lover's Day
March 15
National Peanut Lover's Day
March 16
National Artichoke Day
March 22
National Water Day
Related: 50 Best Detox Waters for Fat Burning and Weight Loss
March 31
National Oysters on the Half Shell Day
National Clam Day
April 15
National Banana Day (Unconfirmed)
Watch: Video: 7 Amazing Things That Happen When You Eat Bananas
April 16
National Mushroom Day
April 19
National Garlic Day
May 13
National Hummus Day
Suggested recipes: 20 Amazing Ways to Eat Chickpeas Other Than Hummus
June 3
National Egg Day
Exclusive! What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Eggs
June 15
National Lobster Day
June 17
National "Eat Your Vegetables" Day
July 3
National "Eat Beans" Day
July 10
National "Pick Blueberries" Day
August 3
National Watermelon Day
Related: 10 Plant-Based Waters Making a Splash
August 5
National Oyster Day
August 8
National Zucchini Day
Suggested recipes: Zoodles & 20 More Mouthwatering Spiralizer Recipes
August 22
National "Eat a Peach" Day
August 27
National Banana Lover's Day
August 29
National "More Herbs, Less Salt" Day
Exclusive! 20 Restaurant Desserts With More Salt Than A Bag of Pretzels
August 31
National Trail Mix Day
September 4
National Macadamia Nut Day
September 7
National Acorn Squash Day
September 13
National Peanut Day
September 27
National Chocolate Milk Day
Related: 30 Best Foods for 6-Pack Abs
September 29
National Coffee Day
ICYMI: 35 Things You Don't Know About Caffeine
October 1
National Vegetarian Day
October 15
National Mushroom Day
October 22
National Nut Day
October 27
National Potato Day
October 29
National Oatmeal Day
Suggested Recipes: 50 Best Overnight Oats Recipes
November 1
National Bison Day
November 4
National "Eating Healthy" Day (American Heart Association)
Don't Miss: 30 Easy Eating Habits for a Flatter Tummy
November 22
National Cashew Day
December 1
National "Eat a Red Apple" Day
December 6
National Gazpacho Day
