Expert tips to help your kids curb the candy consumption

CINCINNATI - Wellness and fitness expert Mary Beth Knight joined 9 News to share some tips on how to help the kids let go of their Halloween candy.

Here are more tips from Knight: 

Most children are aware of the impact of Hurricane Sandy on the east coast, so why not encourage them to box up at least half of their candy and send to a friend or family member out east whose children did not get to participate in trick or treating this year. If you do not know anyone on the East Coast, then check out the website Halloween Candy Buyback .

Once you enter your zip code a list will appear with a number of local dentists who will gladly accept your candy in exchange for a toothbrush. The candy will find a good home through Operation Gratitude and will land in the hands of US Military stationed overseas. Encourage you children to give at least half of the candy they like to those without.

Another great way to give to those who do not receive as often as the rest of us is to pick up a Christmas stocking for each of your children to fill with non-Halloween packaged candy and take it to the Free Store Foodbank, or another food/shelter location near you. The candy filled stockings will bring light to the eyes of a little one who may not get everything they hope for from Santa Claus this year.

For those looking to limit the intake for their kids, here are a few “trade-ya” ideas. Give your child a penny or nickel for each piece of candy they are willing to exchange for money.  Small children will also enjoy a $1 sleeve of glow bracelets, a deck of playing cards, or even a box of crayons and a Thanksgiving coloring book in exchange for most of their candy. Older kids can be easily swayed to exchange their candy for a new smartphone or tablet app or game, or even a $5 credit for iTunes, or a ticket to see a movie at the theater.

Since most children were celebrating Halloween for four or more days prior to the actual holiday, bringing Halloween to a halt is very important to their long term health. Three to five days of one piece of candy per day should be enough for any one to feel they fully enjoyed the holiday. Hold the candy back until after they eat “the good food” and make sure they are brushing their teeth immediately after consuming candy.

One more tip for parents, teach them now the restraint they will need in 20 to 30 years. We all know that living it up is costly to our health and our pocketbooks. Stretching Halloween out until Thanksgiving and then the onset of Christmas goodies the day after Thanksgiving is a sure fire way to extra pounds that can be as dangerous to children as they are to adults.