Fussy toddler

[PS78]

I have a gorgeous little girl of 2.5, who's perfect in every way except food. She won't eat anything but Ella's kitchen smoothies, juice and the occasional chicken poppers, crackers, toast and sometimes crisps. I know she shouldn't have crisps (and she doesn't get them much) but I worry about her eating. We've tried all the tricks to get her eating things and tried a million foods but she won't even try she just looks at it and goes 'NO'. She's a good weight for her age, developing normally, naughty as toddlers are. But I'd love to just get her eating more and better food. We always try her on a healthy meal but nope, no joy. Anyone experienced this, anyone have any tips?

Hi just came across your post. I'm in the same boat with my son. How did things develop?

@Blodwyn831 you might need to try an @ to get the OP's attention

In the same boat here. In fact the eating situation has become such a stressful time in the daily routine, that I am dreading it every time. My son just turned 3 and he would only eat pancakes- and it has to be lathered in cream cheese. Everything changed since we took away screen time at meals. He used to be allowed to eat with screen ( covid, Workout from Home, no time to fuss.) With screens he was open for much wider variety, now it's only pancakes of various sorts. Snacks and sugar stuff he eats with no problem of course...
And there is a twist too- with his nanny he is open to eating such things like pasta, rice, buckwheat, but with me and hubby- absolutely no. Walks away, tantrums, cries...
I tried gentle encouragement, tried offering through playing etc, in the end I loose my patience, shout and get super angry and upset. It is starting to cause my mental breakdowns it seems .

Do they grow out of it ...?

@WoriedMama if he's eating other foods with other people that's really good.

For most of his life you've got him used to eating and watching, he knows no different.

We always had a rule that you stayed at the table, it's an expectation. He sits at the table but he doesn't have to eat if he doesn't want to. He's in control of what he eats. You can give him a daily vitamin tablet to try and alleviate your worry.

Having something he will eat in front of him along with a new food should help. So a small pancake on a separate plate from his meal. He doesn't have to touch the meal but it stays there until everyone has finished eating.

Also, don't comment on what he's eaten, or not eaten. Eat your own food and talk amongst yourselves.

I know it's frustrating but getting angry and shouting isn't helping so far is it? All that will happen is that he will copy your behaviour. If he's not eaten, clear away and if he says he's hungry point out that he can have his last meal again.

I also found that mine are better at that age with some distraction but if you don't want to do screens maybe try an age appropriate audio story. Oddly mine always ate better if I put some soothing classical music on too.

And lastly, have you read My Child Won't Eat by Carlos Gonzaless*?