Holiday season is joyful, but there's pressure along with the pleasure. I am headed up to New Hampshire for Thanksgiving to be with my family (17 of us in all) and I am sure that I will be organizing much of the cooking! So I can sympathize with all of the mothers out there! Precisely because life gets even busier, it’s important to be organized and smart so that you minimize weight gain during this time period. Here are tips to help get you through the holidays healthy and happy:

1. 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 prevents hunger throughout the day.

2. Drink at least six to eight glasses of fluid daily. Adequate intake of liquids prevents hunger and fatigue. What counts: water, juice, herbal tea and other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages.

3. Eat at least five portions of fruits and vegetables every day. If you want a between-meal snack, pick fruits and veggies. Make it easy to grab: Leave attractive bowls of fruit on the kitchen counter and in the living room; keep cut up vegetables in the fridge.

4. Minimize snacking between meals. The meals at holiday time are large enough so that you shouldn’t need a snack (unless you have fruit and veggies!) between meals.

5. Enjoy traditional family favorites, but lighten up the serving sizes when possible. Be the last in line for a meal and eat slowly so it's easy to skip second (and third) helpings - remember double servings have twice the calories. And always put more vegetables on your plate then potatoes and meats.

6. Burn extra calories. Make time for a long daily walk, and tuck extra activity into the day. Organize a family walk each day around the holidays. This is a good time to relax and spend some time with your children, friends and family.