We know the holiday season is filled with temptation—on your wallet, on your time, but also on your tummy! Keeping on track takes planning and intentional choices. Decide now to make those choices, before the moment you actually have to make them.

Here’s 5 tips to make this holiday season a nutritionally victorious one—

1. Snack Often and Nutritiously
There’s a break room at work filled with treats, a cookie tray on the kitchen counter from the neighbors, a box of candy from Grandma—the temptations are everywhere. Stock up with nutritious snacks like Wild Zora Meat & Veggie Bars so that you have healthy, delicious options throughout the day. When you’re already satisfied, you’ll be able to walk by those tempting morsels without grabbing a bite or two.

2. Fill Your Plate for the Health of It!
Holiday parties and get togethers may be in your future—these get togethers will most likely include tables set with dishes of empty calories that are not part of your eating goals. When you attend holiday gatherings, fill up on the raw veggies, green salads, and clean proteins like lean meats and nuts first. If it's offered, have some fruit for dessert, instead of more sugary treat.

Remember, higher protein foods are more filling, so you’re less likely to want to go for seconds, and more likely to be able to resist filling a plate at the dessert table after the meal.

If the party is a pot luck, contribute a healthy dish so that you’ll know there will be at least one nutritious option. Even if it’s not a pot luck, offer to bring a dish—many hosts and hostesses are happy to have one less thing to do.

3. Healthy Shopping
Shopping can be tiring and long—don’t go hungry to the mall or the food court will be calling your name… LOUDLY! Keep your body fueled and the Cinnabon cravings at bay by stocking your purse and car with healthy snacks. Wild Zora Meat & Veggie Bars easily slip into a purse or jacket pocket so that you can satisfy your hunger until you get to a healthy meal.

If shopping will keep you out all day, have some healthy meal options in mind ahead of time so that you’re not picking a lunch or dinner spot just out of convenience.

4. Practice Mindful Eating
The holidays are a great time to begin or continue to practice mindful eating. Put your fork down between bites; think about how the food tastes and smells, and how it feels in your mouth. Really chew every bite. Stop eating periodically when you’re chatting—it’s difficult to keep an awareness of what and how you eat when distracted in conversation. Enjoy your food!

5. Eat Before the Party
Back to parties… Don’t go to a gathering hungry. Rather than fasting or eating light to save your calories for a free-for-all in the evening, eat healthy snacks and meals during the day. Even a little food right before you go out might mean you’ll be less likely to want to eat everything you see. Don't blow your whole day of nutritional success in an hour of indulging at a party!

If you’re running from one holiday event to the other, or coming straight from the office, you’ll be prepared for success if you keep snacks like Wild Zora Meat & Veggie Bars with you and have Wild Zora Meals To Go on hand for a quick meal.

With the holidays fast approaching, be prepared and have a plan to ensure this coming January doesn’t include regret over not feeling your best and lost ground for the effort you’ve put toward your best health this year.