In 2005 the Langley School District gave parents a lot of food for thought.

That's when the district adopted its Healthy Schools policy and started making changes about what foods were appropriate for the school environment, and by promoting more activity.

While it can be a challenge to get young people to eat what's good for them, families are encouraged to steer their kids towards healthier choices.

In the end, it's the kids who benefit most through being healthier and also doing better in school.

"Children function best when they are getting the rest, exercise, and nutrition they need," said district communications manager Craig Spence.

Here are some tips from the provincial Ministry of Education to help families.

ALL STUDENTS

- Insist that your children eat breakfast every day, as it provides fuel for the brain to learn and helps them maintain a healthy weight.

- Keep nutritious foods like cut-up vegetables and fruit, cheese sticks, low-fat yogurt, and butter-free popcorn on hand to make healthy snacking easy.

- If your child has anaphylaxis, coordinate with the school principal on an updated emergency plan that best meets your child's needs.

- Schedule regular dental and any necessary medical checkups.

- Encourage your children to choose milk or water at meals instead of sugary drinks, energy drinks with excessive caffeine, or pop.

- Get children active through sports, or go for nightly family walks or bike rides.

- Develop good hand-washing habits as frequent hand-washing reduces the spread of bacterial, cold and flu viruses.

PRIMARY STUDENTS

- Include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your children's snacks and lunches every day.

- Include your child when packing lunches so they can learn to make healthy choices early on.

- Help your children learn about and understand Canada's Food Guide which encourages a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

- Take family walks with your children and, if possible, walk them to school.

- Join or co-ordinate a Walking School Bus or Bicycle Train to help your children get to school safely with adult supervision.

- Set up a regular teeth-brushing routine and ensure your children are brushing and flossing correctly.

- Introduce your children to active games they can play on their own, like hopscotch or jumping rope. When more children are around, introduce tag, soccer, or baseball.

INTERMEDIATE/MIDDLE STUDENTS

- Whenever possible, encourage your children to walk, ride, rollerblade or skateboard to school instead of driving them.

- Suggest that your children take the dog for a walk before and after school.

- Limit your children's screen time. Explain to your children that it's important to sit less and to move more, in order to maintain a healthy weight.

- Continue to encourage healthy eating habits. Use Canada's Food Guide to plan healthy meals and snacks, as they have different nutritional needs from children and adults.

- Teach your children to avoid less-nutritious foods - foods high in sugar, fat and sodium, and help them learn to replace these foods with more nutritious snacks instead.

SECONDARY STUDENTS

- Encourage your teenagers to get involved in intramural or after-school sports.

- Suggest your teenagers take a class at the local community centre or encourage them to participate in a walking or hiking group.

- Place your older children in charge of some of the family's meals and grocery shopping so they learn how to buy, prepare and enjoy healthy meals using Canada's Food Guide.

- Encourage your teens to get plenty of rest to ensure they are alert and ready to learn at school.