How do I tackle fussy eating?

[getmeacupoftea]

My boy is almost 3. The only things he will eat are spaghetti hoops, cheese, and bread. And treat food, of course. 🙄

Ive tried so many things. I sit down with him to eat, I've given him countless meals of interesting and colourful food but he wont touch it.

I've been given the age-old advice of letting him go hungry, but I just feel awful at thought of sending him to bed with no tea.

I worry he's not healthy, he cant be getting all the nutrients he needs.

Something in every meal he likes so he won't starve.

Let him serve himself from bowls on the table. Put the food out then don't mention it again, but mild praise when he tries something new.

Don't ask, "Do you like it?", ask, "What does it feel like/look like/smell like etc" Model good eating and talk about texture and colour as well as taste. That's about it.

I think exposure to foods is really important - I've read research suggesting that kids who are offered foods they decline up to 12 times or something like that (on different days, obvs, not repeatedly at one meal) are likely to eventually give it a try and come round.

I had to resign myself to a bit of food waste, but with this method we've had success with things like humous, carrot sticks, strawberries, salmon, bolognaise, and lentil pasta.

Good advice above. Keep mealtimes relaxed, encourage without coaxing, eat alongside him. Don't offer alternatives, don't give snacks later if he's hungry. Don't throw away uneaten food, if it can be reheated/re-presented when he's hungry before the next mealtime, it's 'another chance to eat the lunch you didn't want earlier'. Start each day with a clean slate.

What worked for me:

Eat with him.
Insure the majority of the food on his plate he likes.

Must try something new.
If he has eaten something three times and liked it then include it in the list of things he likes and therefore must eat.
No drama, after 20 mins what isn’t eaten isn’t eaten, nothing offered til next meal.
No treat food, no easy calories.

Stay calm, and no fuss.