Why not celebrate another country’s holiday when it involves delicious foods and lasts 16 days?! Oktoberfest, originally a wedding celebration of a Bavarian prince back in 1810, is marked by traditional foods including sausages and copious amounts of beer. These foods are not exactly what you think of as “good for you” eats, but they actually do have some health benefits.

• Sausages: At the heart of Oktoberfest, sausages can be high in fat, but Nugget Markets offers their own handmade lower-fat versions made with lean pork or chicken, along with a wealth of spices such as cardamom, mace, sea salt, fresh chopped chives and parsley.
• Mustard: What’s sausage without some zesty mustard? As a condiment, mustard (made from ground mustard seeds) is not only very low in fat, but it is loaded with potent cancer fighters called indoles.
• Rothohl/Blaukohl: This traditional apple and red cabbage dish is oftentimes made with vinegar, but sometimes made with cream. This side dish is rich in cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber, especially when the skin is left on the apples. Due to the red cabbage, it is also loaded with cancer-fighting indoles.
• Pretzels: Need more reasons for sampling different mustards? Pretzels are generally fat-free and sometimes whole grain, making them a good source of insoluble fiber, which is important for digestive tract health.
• Beer: The most notable Oktoberfest staple! Beer in moderation* has been shown to help lower heart disease risk. Made from barley (grain) and hops (flower), beer contains phytochemicals shown to boost heart health.

*Moderate alcohol consumption is one 12-oz. beer for women and up to two for men per day.