Trick or Treat! Almost all children love to dress up and go from door to door collecting treats on Hallowe'en.

However, if you are trying to reduce the 125 pounds of added sugar your child probably consumes each year, this is the place to start.

You will have little control over the treats your child receives when knocking door to door unless you give your neighbours some alternative suggestions for healthy treats.

Good edible treats include popcorn, fruit or sugarless gum, non-food items such as a pencil, eraser balloon, sticker, comb or coins are practical and fun treats too.

If your child does collect candy you can make an arrangement to either dole it out on an occasional basis, or buy it from him and throw it away (don't make it an excuse to eat it yourself!) If you want to keep your child off the road why not have a Hallowe'en party at home.

Serve pizza or other healthy snacks such as fruit or popcorn and play traditional games such as bobbing for apples, eating a marshmallow off a string or pin the tail on the donkey.