My boys don't have the greatest diets either.  It's tough.  My older ds has high functioning autism and has so many sensory issues.  He gags while I'm even just cooking bc the smell bothers him so much.  He lives on Eggo waffles, Kraft mac & cheese, cheese sandwiches, PB&J, Tostitos, Chex Mix, Goldfish, pretzels, baked all natural Cheetos.  He will also eat many varieties of cereal:  Cheerios, Froot Loops, Frosted Mini Wheats, Kix and a few others.  He eats NO fruits or vegetables!  I stress out SO very much about his nutrition and health.  He is 11 and still won't eat anything else!  His docs are not worried though.  (He also will not take a vitamin.)  He is growing normally and is healthy.  

A trick I use to get nutrition into my boys:  My older ds likes pumpkin muffins.  I buy Kroger brand quik bread and make them into mini muffins.  I put wheat germ and/or Gerber mixed baby cereal in them, grate zucchini and/or carrots in them also.  He LOVES his "power muffins" as I call them.  I feel so good that he's getting some vegetables in him.  :)  I use any chocolate chip muffin mix and add the same ingredients to the mixture for my younger ds.  My younger ds eats more of a variety of things and some vegetables and lots of fruit, but he LOVES sugar!  He's just like his Mommy.  

Try the muffins and let me know how it goes!  My boys usually eat about 6-8 muffins at a time, but my boys are younger than your kids.  My boys are 11 and 8.  

Good luck!  I know it's stressful.  :(

Oh, also limit snacks for an hour before any meal.  That helps them eat more of their dinner.  :)

The Lord is with me.  I will not be afraid.   Psalms 118:6

"There is no political solution to the human condition."   Quote from my dh 

My DD loves cheese and crackers.  She makes little cracker sandwiches - as she calls them.  My DD is an awesome eater, so I have never battled with her on anything.  My DS will eat absolutely any fruit and most meats, but he is not a veggie fan.  I always put them on his plate though, sometimes he will try it, sometimes he won't.  He really loves ants on a log (you know, celery,  peanut butter and raisins.  He really likes to dunk things too...carrots, cucumbers, etc.  You could send her with some veggies and hummus?  Good luck!

Where is she getting the sugar?
If she is coming home with a full lunchbox, how is she doing in school?
What is she allowed to eat when she comes home, if her lunchbox is full?

You have to "sanitize" your kitchen pantry.  Remove all food that you do not want them to eat.  Have food available that they can eat anytime they want.

My husband and myself work in the evenings so she goes to my parents house, as parents they always provided us with excellent nutritional choices however as grandparents they are a little more "accomodating" my mom does try but she also gives in to my daughter and gives her gingerbread cookies and frozen yogurt..but she always tries to give healthy options too. We do not have sweets in our house or chips..I just dont buy it..other than tortilla chips..She does not always have a full lunch box and on the day she likes the hot lunch options I will let her buy..she is not a big girl..she is thin and by nature can eat anything...When she comes home she eats a fruit snack or popcorn. She is doing very well in school as we just have conferences at school,

I guess I do need to get rid of the pop tart option..Great advice ladies!

Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.
— Dean Karnazes

I do really appreiciate the advice. I just feel like a bad parent because my kids eat on the run ALOT! I am always on the go and so if I seem a little combative do not take it personally:) I really am glad to have advice from other moms:)

Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.
— Dean Karnazes

If she's hungry when she gets home and there are still edible option in her lunchbox, that should be her first place to "snack.."

Maybe have her help you buy the stuff to pack -- have her choose the fruits/vegies, etc. and help you pack each night/morning. 

People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously.  This is how character is built.
-- Eleanor Roosevelt

Try fruit and veggies with dips. My kids love to dip anything. Yogurt dips are really good with fruit and you can get some sour cream and hidden valley ranch seasoning and make dips for veggies.

If you have the time, she might get more excited about her lunches if you let her make them herself.  Mine always fell for that, still does, and she's 15!  Have some sandwich options available, some snack, and treat options, and put her to work.  Mine also always fell for the dipping option.  We had fresh veggies with ranch dressing for dipping, and fresh fruit with vanilla yogurt cups for dipping for 5 years straight!  It was the action she liked, not always the food.  But she'd eat anything if we offered dip. 

Your not a bad mom.  All of us had to deal with a picky eater in one form or another at some point.  We all need suggestions.  She's not going to starve, and if your aware that you want her to have better eating habits now, then you already are on top of it.  Give yourself a break.

"Cooties I can handle!" - Mrs. Mia Wallace

Ahhh..what a great idea..having her help make her lunch..she tries to be very independent and I think this might do the trick..the shopping part is a good idea and when she does shop with me she chooses lunchables( not the healthiest option but better than sugar) fruit snacks, granola bars, and applesauce..she def. eats better than my son!  I could start a whole seperate thread about him. My daughter always had an appetite and when it was time to eat, she ate. I try to enforce the high chair rule but he is a very active little boy:)

Great great ideas! Thank you!!!!!

Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.
— Dean Karnazes

originally posted by mylittlesunshine

Ahhh..what a great idea..having her help make her lunch..she tries to be very independent and I think this might do the trick..the shopping part is a good idea and when she does shop with me she chooses lunchables( not the healthiest option but better than sugar) fruit snacks, granola bars, and applesauce..she def. eats better than my son!  I could start a whole seperate thread about him. My daughter always had an appetite and when it was time to eat, she ate. I try to enforce the high chair rule but he is a very active little boy:)

Great great ideas! Thank you!!!!!

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Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.
— Dean Karnazes

Ever read the labels on those items?  not the healthiest choices, sorry.