2.6 yr old DD fussy eater

[linserella]

My DD has become quite a fussy eater but does eat staples which are healthy (berries, salmon, potatoes, beans, fish, yoghurt, oat cakes, cheese, pasta, chicken etc) but these staples are becoming a bit repetitive. She enjoys garlic and some amount of chilli and I have always tried to expose her to varied food that we are eating.

Increasingly she will refuse to even eat her dinner without even trying it which is disheartening when it's something like home made fish pie or chicken-something which I know she'll like (she pushes it away, saying "enough" or "I don't want it" and leaves the table). I end up giving her beans and mash or pizza so she eats. Should i leave her to the mini pizzas (M&S stonebaked!), beans, fish fingers - typical toddler food? or if she refuses what we are eating should I not pander to her tastes and tell her it is that or nothing?

I think i'm in a bit of a rut with food for her, am i expecting too much?!

I have just logged on after the most awful battle with DD who is also 2.6. Like your DD it is a recent thing, she used to eat anything and now it seems that every day the list of what she will eat gets smaller. Today, carrots have gone. She ended up with oatibix for tea (eventually)because she really wouldnt touch anything in the chicken casserole I had made. She had none of her lunch either and that was something she used to love! It is so frustrating. I am just trying not to let it turn into too much of an issue but its very hard when I have cooked and she demands cheese, grapes or houmous. So will be watching this thread with interest but I am thinking it may be partly an independance thing, they are asserting their rights so to speak. Two year old ness!

we are currently left with Marmite on toast,apple and oat pancakes,plain brown bread, pasta pesto, yoghurts and bananas (we lost fish fingers last week after ds ate them for dinner last week and then was sick as he had a a tummy bug - now he will not touch them).

It's difficult.....I have resigned myself to the fact that there is nothing i can do- ds has to grow out of it himself - no use in having fights about food as it makes it an issue - no matter how tired I am of hearing that phrase I have to admit it's true...

Good luck...

No answers but lots of sympathy. DS has just turned two and is getting by on toast, fish fingers, fruit and cheese, more or less!

Good to know I am not alone!! I think you are right used2b - two year old ness! The list of what DD will eat is also rapidly shrinking, I think oat cakes, cheese and yoghurt are the only constants of everything. ilovespinach - i agree, no point in having fights, i do tend to resign myself to her whims but argh! it can be so frustrating!! Meg - good your LO is eating fruit at least (looking on bright side!)My DD is very fussy with fruit and veg and i would like that to change (i think it's down to strawbs, rasps, grapes and peas!) she must be the only LO who has always disliked banana! My niece who is now 18 ate fromage frais as her staple around her 2's and was incredibly fussy and admittedly it has done her no harm! Thanks for your messages and good luck too! Perhaps we should swap snack ideas! I defo need some fresh inspiration..! Will check recipe bit on here when i have more time

linserella my DD hates banana too! Mind you, so do I so haven't encouraged it as much as I perhaps could have!