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50 National Healthy Food Holidays

Mark your calendar—and make it a point to eat extra-healthy on these highlighted days!

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

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National Gluten Free Day

January 16

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National Hot and Spicy Day
Suggested recipes: 20 Spicy Recipes That Will Fire Up Your Metabolism

January 21

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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

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National Homemade Soup Day
Suggested recipes: 20 Best-Ever Fat Burning Soups

February 8

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National Potato Lover's Day

February 16

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National Almond Day
Watch: Video: 5 Favorite Flat-Ab Foods from a Celeb Trainer

February 22

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/

National Sweet Potato Day

February 23

National Banana Bread Day
ICYMI: 20 Healthy Banana Bread Recipes

February 26

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National Pistachio Day

February 27

National Strawberry Day

March 1

National Peanut Butter Lover's Day

March 15

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National Peanut Lover's Day

March 16

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National Artichoke Day

March 22

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National Water Day
Related: 50 Best Detox Waters for Fat Burning and Weight Loss

March 31

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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

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National Garlic Day

May 13

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National Hummus Day
Suggested recipes: 20 Amazing Ways to Eat Chickpeas Other Than Hummus

June 3

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National Egg Day
Exclusive! What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Eggs

June 15

National Lobster Day

June 17

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National "Eat Your Vegetables" Day

July 3

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National "Eat Beans" Day

July 10

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National "Pick Blueberries" Day

August 3

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National Watermelon Day
Related: 10 Plant-Based Waters Making a Splash

August 5

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National Oyster Day

August 8

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National Zucchini Day
Suggested recipes: Zoodles & 20 More Mouthwatering Spiralizer Recipes

August 22

National "Eat a Peach" Day

August 27

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National Banana Lover's Day

August 29

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National "More Herbs, Less Salt" Day
Exclusive! 20 Restaurant Desserts With More Salt Than A Bag of Pretzels

August 31

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National Trail Mix Day

September 4

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National Macadamia Nut Day

September 7

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National Acorn Squash Day

September 13

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National Peanut Day

September 27

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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

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National Vegetarian Day

October 15

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National Mushroom Day

October 22

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National Nut Day

October 27

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National Potato Day

October 29

National Oatmeal Day
Suggested Recipes: 50 Best Overnight Oats Recipes

November 1

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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

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National Cashew Day

December 1

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National "Eat a Red Apple" Day

December 6

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National Gazpacho Day

Eat This, Not That!
Inspired by The New York Times best-selling book series, Eat This, Not That! is a brand that's comprised of an award-winning team of journalists and board-certified experts, doctors, nutritionists, chefs, personal trainers, and dietitians who work together to bring you accurate, timely, informative, and actionable content on food, nutrition, dieting, weight loss, health, wellness, and more. Read more about Eat This