DD1 (aged 6) has always been a bit fussy with food, but now I'm stuck in a rut for evening meals for her and her sister. She will often look at food and decide before she has even tried it that she hates it.
Do I let her pick what she likes (therefore her and DD2 would eat sausages, fish fingers, bolognese on repeat), insist she eats what is put in front of her and cleans her plate or something else?
When I was younger I remember being served food I hated (things like fish and carbonara) and not being able to get down from the table until I'd eaten it all. I remember how miserable I felt chewing one mouthful for ages being physically unable to swallow the food. I would sneak in our backyard when everyone had finished and dispose of the food down the drain.
I don't want DD to experience that (or clog our drains!) but at the same time I'm getting frustrated that she won't even try things. Her sister, who is 2, will try absolutely anything and rarely doesn't like anything. We'd have an easier time feeding them if DD1 would be open to trying new things but she isn't.
We had drama this lunch time over quiche because DD1 didn't like it (I don't understand why, it was delicious!) and I had to beg her to try a bit of cheese (which she did, to her credit, before telling me she didn't like it).
I'm also asking this because I've become concerned about her weight, she has a slight pot belly and according to BMI calculator is just on the cusp of being overweight, so I'd really like to try and introduce more healthy meals instead of frozen sausages and chips! It's worth noting though that she does like fruit, salad and vegetables, it's more the main part of a meal I struggle with.
Any advice on how you approach fussy eaters? I don't want to end up causing issues around food as my mum did that with me since I was 11 and I've had a very unhealthy relationship with food and battled with my weight for all of my adult life, so I'd like to do my best not to traumatise her!
Thank you :)