If your toddler refused a meal at lunch...

[economymode]

...would you give them the same meal at dinner, or try something different?

I don't offer an alternative at the same meal, but just wondering if I should be trying to get him the same meal at dinner. It's lasagne, which he previously ate no problem. He's going through a fussy stage and is only eating really 'safe', plain foods (bread and houmous, pizza with veg sauce etc), so really trying to get his range of foods back up.

no I wouldnt, I'd give something different.

Thanks, vodka. Just hate throwing food away, but I know it's part and parcel of parenting.

I always gave them the same at supper, 9 times out of ten they would eat it at the second offering. If not, they got toast.

Well, he wouldn't eat the meal I offered him. Except covered in yoghurt and even that was touch and go. I shouldn't do that either, really.

Irksome creatures they can be, this is true. How toddler sized is he? I'd say if he's at the younger end of the scale to stick with what you know can pass his strict standards for a couple or three months, then start introducing foods back in.

If at the older end of toddlerhood, involve him in the cooking, mixing and stirring etc - I found that that would often make a difference with mine - if they 'thought' they had cooked/prepped it, then they would mostly eat it.

Frank - he's 16 months old, so too young to get involved. I really can't wait until he's old enough to have some fun in the kitchen and it sounds like that would be a good way of encouraging him to increase his repertoire. Thank you for your reply .

I wouldn't either. If he asked for anything to eat in the afternoon I'd offer the lasagne again, but for dinner I'd offer something different.

I don't think 16 months is too young to be involved either economy. DD has been helping out since she could sit. Have you seen the knives by Pampered Chef? The ones where they can't cut themselves but can chop fruit and veg? He's also old enough to help make pizzas, isn't he?

I would probably eat the lasagna myself!

Jesus, he is only a baby, give him something else.

LOL at safe plain food - hummus and pizza are both weird foreign muck to my parents

I agree he's old enough to "help" in the kitchen, even if it's just fetching you things. IME that doesn't help a lot though - I have one very fussy eater and one very good eater (now aged 9 & 11) and have reluctantly come to the conclusion that it's far more just the way they are than anything we do. Obviously if I had two good eaters (like my sister) I'd think differently

you could offer the same but tweak it slightly, add a simple sauce or gravy, sprinkle breadcrumbs to change the texture, add a different colour using veg. See how it goes and if he still refuses take the easy route and offer something else.