If you thought food was just fuel, then think again. For many people, foods can have a special significance and, it’s believed, could bring you luck for the New Year. From grapes at the stroke of midnight to marzipan pigs, check out these New Year foods from around the world...

Denmark/Norway: Kransekake

This cake is called a kransekake or kransekage, depending on where it’s made, but it’s essentially a conical-shaped cake made with almonds, icing sugar and egg whites and baked in different-sized rings. Once baked, the cake rings are then placed one on top of the other and stuck together with icing, to form a tall cone. It’s served at other important family events, such as weddings, as well as at New Year.
Kransekkake © Rex

Spain: 12 grapes at midnight

If you happen to be in a Spanish bar on New Year’s Eve, you might be handed a glassful of grapes as midnight approaches. The idea is to eat one grape for every chime of the clock, counting down to the New Year. For every sweet grape you manage to eat,

Winter can spell dermatological disaster, but don't panic: we've rounded up some top tips for those seeking skincare salvation.

Check out our pick of the best winter beauty tips, to help you tackle the drying cold air this season...

Follow these top tips to beat dry skin this winter © RexFreeze factor

Cold air is actually drier than warm air, which is why we're more prone to dry skin in winter - the cold air literally sucks the moisture out of our skin.

[Related gallery: Breathe some life into your hair with our Top 10 hair oils tried and tested]

"For your face, the trick is to seal enough moisture into your skin, in order to prevent dry and chapped skin which happens so easily when temperatures drop," says skincare guru Ole Henriksen.

"Just like you layer your clothes during winter, a little layering on your skin becomes necessary."

Complexion oils are the ideal way to lock in moisture - simply apply first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Pucker up

Show your lips some love this winter: instead of simply slathering on the lip

It's the party season and we all want to look our best but new research claims that a diet that cuts out carbs may not be the best way to try and shed a few pounds.  Here, Yahoo! Lifestyle nutritionist Rachael Anne Hill explains...

Research has found eating carbs in the evening can actually help you lose weight © RexThe 'Carb Curfew' has long been a popular way of trying to lose excess weight.   The idea is to reduce calorie intake and avoid over eating in the evenings by banning carbohydrates after 5pm.

It also encourages followers to eat slightly more protein which, in theory, should help you to stay fuller for longer.  The diet promotes a carb-rich breakfast and lunch followed by a carb free evening meal.

[Related: Top healthy Christmas superfoods]

In practical terms this means no jacket potato with your chilli, no pasta with your Bolognese and no rice with your curries.

The diet has proved to be very popular largely because it's easy to understand and simple to do.  Followers of the diet often report feeling less bloated and more energised.

However, new research

Budget foods save us money. But, other than cost, what are the differences between budget and luxury  Christmas foods, besides fancy packaging? Are budget lines ever as good - or even better? Yahoo!  Lifestyle investigates...

Bacon-wrapped sausages

A traditional Christmas dinner isn't complete without some of these nestling up against slices of turkey and a few Brussels sprouts. But is it worth paying extra for a premium product?Pigs in blankets - no Christmas meal should be without them ©Rex

We found that although the luxury sausages (£3.25 for 10) tasted more peppery, the biggest difference between them was the texture. The more expensive sausages contained 86 per cent pork, and were chunkier and firmer than the cheaper, 59 per cent pork sausages (£3 for 12).

But although the luxury versions were wrapped in bacon made from higher-welfare 'outdoor-reared' pork, the thinner, fattier (and cheaper) bacon that was used for the cheaper sausage gave a more satisfyingly crisp result.

The labels also revealed that the luxury sausages contained more

It's all too easy to over consume at Christmas but there are some foods we really should be eating more of this month.  Yahoo! Lifestyle nutritionist Rachael Anne Hill reveals why...

1.    Nuts
Nuts © RexWe've known for some time that nuts can help with weight loss due to their ability to reduce hunger and stabilise blood sugars but now a new study shows that they can also boost serotonin, a substance that makes you feel happier!

Studies at Loma Linda University in California also found that eating nuts five times a week (about 50 grams a day) lowered participants' blood cholesterol levels by 12 per cent.  Go for the plain unsalted, uncoated varieties and don't overdo it.  Just a small handful a day is all you need to provide all the health benefits without over consuming the calories.

2.    Satsumas, Clementines and Tangerines
Clementines © RexForget all those expensive time release vitamin C capsules.  Vitamin C is water soluble therefore it can't be stored in the body, however a satsuma, clementine or

Soup makes a cheap, filling and healthy meal, but it can be easy to rely on the same old favourites. We've put together 10 soup recipes to help see you through the winter. All serve 2.

Spicy Sweet Potato and Chipotle Chilli Soup
Spicy Sweet Potato and Chipotle Chilli Soup © Jo RomeroSweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin C - vital for keeping our immune systems in top condition, as well as vitamin A, which is good for our skin. This soup is spiced up with chipotle chilli paste for extra warmth.

Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
quarter tsp of chipotle chilli paste
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
400g sweet potatoes, peeled and roughly diced
400ml chicken stock
salt and pepper
single cream and chopped parsley, to serve

Method
Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan and gently fry the onion and garlic with a pinch of sea salt, until softened. Stir in the chipotle chilli paste and the diced sweet potato. Fry gently for two more minutes. Next, pour in the stock and leave to bubble for about 10-15 minutes or

As the evenings get darker (and colder) it's tempting to crave calorific comfort food. But you can still enjoy satisfying winter foods if you're watching your waistline. Check these out...

Sardine puttanesca
Sardine puttanesca © Jo RomeroThe pasta's not to blame for all the calories in lasagne and carbonara - it's the cheese and cream in the sauces. This punchy tomato-based sauce also contains sardines, which are high in Omega-3 fats. Serves 2.

Ingredients:
140g dried spaghetti
120g can skinless, boneless sardines in olive oil
2 chunky garlic cloves, chopped
1 tsp capers
quarter teaspoon chilli flakes
handful black pitted olives, sliced in half lengthways
400g can chopped tomatoes
handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Method:
Put the pasta on to boil. While it's cooking, fry the garlic, chilli flakes and capers in a little olive oil for about 1 minute. Tip in the sardines, with a little of their olive oil if you like, trying not to break up the fillets too much. Finally, stir in the tomatoes and olives and

It's Thanksgiving today, when Americans celebrate the safe arrival of the first Pilgrims that settled in the country almost 400 years ago. Families mark the occasion by serving up a feast, traditionally a turkey with all the trimmings and apple, pecan or pumpkin-based desserts.

If you're celebrating, why not try these Thanksgiving-inspired recipes, including an American-style dressing, green bean casserole and, of course, tips on how to roast the turkey.

The roast turkey

Thanksgiving roast turkey © Rex

Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without a roast turkey with all the trimmings. Serve with cranberry sauce.

Ingredients:
5kg whole turkey
olive oil and salt

Method:
For a basic, unstuffed roast turkey, bring the bird to room temperature and place in a large roasting tin. Preheat the oven to 180ºC and drizzle the turkey with olive oil, massaging it into the skin with your fingers. Sprinkle with a little sea salt. Next, wash your hands and cover the turkey lightly with foil. Roast for 40 minutes per kg (larger birds