The holiday season can be a wonderful time to reconnect with loved ones and enjoy scrumptious meals you look forward to all year long. But along with the many joys of the holidays, they can also be quite stressful. Exercise is an excellent way to combat that stress - but who has the time? Between traveling, shopping, and numerous other preparations, exercise and eating well often fall by the wayside.

Here are some holiday tips that will help you save time for holiday necessities while staying active and warding off holiday weight gain!

Make time for a daily walk, and tuck extra activity into the day: take the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator; park at the far end of the mall instead of competing for a spot near the entrance. Since I am not working quite as much around the holidays, I have a bit more time to grab the kids and get out for a walk, and we all seem to be happier at the end of the day!

Make time for breakfast. Even a quick, simple breakfast - fruit or juice, whole-grain cereal or toast, and milk or yogurt - delivers fiber and nutrients that boost energy and prevent hunger throughout the day.

Drink at least eight glasses of fluid daily; adequate intake of liquids prevents hunger and fatigue. Good beverage choices include water, juice, herbal tea and other non- alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages.

Eat at least five portions of fruits and vegetables every day. If you want a between-meal snack, pick fruits and veggies. Make them easy to grab: leave attractive bowls of fruit on the kitchen counter and in the living room; keep cut up vegetables in the fridge. Having these fresh, wholesome foods at your fingertips makes it easier to choose good foods when there are many sweets lingering about.

Eat slowly during big family meals so it's easy to skip second (and third) helpings - remember that double servings have twice the calories.

I wish all of you a very healthy and happy holiday season.