Oklahoma City, OK -- Eating candy on Halloween usually isn't a problem. It is, however, the beginning of what experts call The Eating Season when Oklahomans add a few extra calories a day to their diet over several months, which leads to weight gain. So what can parents do?

"Many parents think they have to keep all of the candy away from children at Halloween, but that isn't necessary. The best thing to do is set rules before the day arrives, and to stick with them. Parents can let children eat candy on Halloween or even a week later, then dump or give away the rest," said Sandy Richardson, a registered dietitian at the University of Oklahoma College of Allied Health.

"The key is to not let children eat a little bit of candy every day till Christmas."

And, because children are eating more candy and sweets this time of year, Richardson said parents need to make sure kids aren't replacing regular meals and healthful food with candy bars and cookies.

OU experts offer these Top 3 Ways to stay trim and eat your candy too:

• Drop Self Control - What doesn't work is simply telling yourself or your children, "I won't eat that bucket of candy." Richardson said environmental control works better. Keep the candy bars, cookies, pies, fudge, alcoholic drinks, egg nog and other holiday treats to a minimum in your home. The less you have around, the more likely you are to avoid eating it.

• Increase Physical Activity - If you know you have mounds of Halloween candy on its way or a holiday party at 6 o'clock, take a walk in the afternoon or at lunch. Eat a lighter breakfast and a small lunch. The goal is to somehow compensate for the extra calories you are going consume.

• Don't Snack - The one handful of candy or the turkey, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes at dinner are not the issue. It's the holiday treats that we nibble on all day, day after day. A can of fudge or a tin of wonderful Danish cookies are yummy, Richardson said, but they are really high in calories and often high in saturated fat and sugar - a snack that will pack on the pounds far too quickly. Instead, save the treats for mealtime. Your waistline will thank you.