Food related.....please help!

[MalmMumma]

My almost 2 year old DS eats well if it's something he's used to and knows he likes. We probably have about 10 different combinations of dinner that he'll eat willingly at home. They all have a mix of carbs, protein and veg and are
primarily homemade. I put something different in front of him tonight to see what happened (beef stew) and he refused it. I persevered for about 20 minutes and in the end gave him toast and milk as it was nearing bed time. We NEVER have this if its a dish he knows/likes. So my question is, should I stress about this and keep persevering to broaden his taste buds or is a limited menu with a good mix of all the main food groups ok. Interestingly he usually eats whatever is put in front of him at nursery. I should also say that DP and I have a relatively limited menu that we eat from - for instance, I only eat chicken and fish, no other meats. Please let me know if I'm
storing up food issues for the future or should just chill out! Thanks xx

I may be blown out of the water by other mums saying I am heartless but you need to nip this in the bud by not offering alternatives. DD is an excellent eater, likes veg and fruit and not fussy, healthy and happy. When she was little the clear message was if she didn't eat it she wouldn't get anything else. The only things we ever gave up on were parsnips and courgette. That was because the had two veg on her plate and are one and at least tried the other, repeatedly. There was also one occasion where DH made a risotto but it was quite spicy and I even struggled to eat it - we explained about the difference between a bad cook day and bad food and the risotto next time wasn't a problem. DD now eats practically anything that is put in front of her but also has the vocabulary, tact and awareness to know how to deal with the one off bloody awful meal . I am convinced her ability to study and work hard, sleep well etc are partly down to good eating habits.

He's only 2 for gods sake! He's becoming aware of his surroundings and boundaries and realising he has a choice over the things he does/doesn't do. I'd say for now stick to the main things he likes but maybe add 1 thing new to the plate each time for him to try if he wants to. I'd agree on not giving an alternative meal. If your having something different for a change offer him the chance to have a taste of yours should he wish too, I always found my dc were more likely to try something new off my plate than their own.

10 different healthy dinner combinations sounds pretty good to me - it's certainly not a picky eating problem.

I'd actually say that in order to NOT create food problems for the future you should chill out . Seriously though, putting something completely new in front of him and forcing the issue is a bad idea.

It would be a good thing to keep trying to expand his food horizons - but do it gradually. Ie change one thing at a time, eg one new veg on the plate alongside a known one, or change the sauce but keep it separate so that he can just skip it if he wants. One guideline I read suggested that there should be at least 2 things in the meal that he is usually willing to eat.

Don't force the issue, just offer repeatedly and let him try it when he's ready (and let him see you eating it in the meantime). It can take 20 or so times of being offered something before they start seeing it as familiar and OK - but if there's plenty of other things on the plate they can eat and you only give them a small portion of something you are making for yourself anyway, then that's no problem.

10 balanced meals is good! Don't worry about it- just keep offering different things making sure there's something familiar on his plate and try not to offer alternatives