With the start of the holiday season upon us, consumers are already weighing their options for making healthier choices this year. In fact, 81% of consumers surveyed wished they made healthier choices during the holiday season, yet seven out of 10 have no plans to do so, according to a survey conducted by ORC International, Princeton, N.J., for Ready Pac Foods, Irwindale, Calif.

However, there is a way to bring healthy balance to the season.

That’s because the survey showed that 37% of respondents realize they can eat healthier with simple meal substitutions, without compromising the holiday spirit.

“At Ready Pac Foods, we know it’s important to honor holiday traditions in the kitchen, but we also know that often comes with a lot of over-indulgence, and for some, an overwhelming feeling of guilt,” says Tristan Simpson, chief marketing officer of Ready Pac Foods. “We strive to give consumers the freedom to eat healthier without giving up their favorite family recipes. Today, it has never been easier to balance the holidays with healthier sides and smaller meals, such as ready-to-eat salads and single-serve snack packs.”

Additional key findings from the survey include:

Watching the scale. Weight was the No. 1 reason for eating healthier this holiday season with residents of the west coast leading all other regions (44%).

Millennials–more than anyone-want to eat healthier. 30% of Millennials plan to make healthier choices this holiday season compared to 19% of baby boomers.

Men want meat, women want sides. For men, heavy meats was the one holiday food item they “can’t live without” at 42%. For women, it was indulgent sides at 34%.

The study surveyed 1,022 adults.