Extremely fussy 2 year old.

[Trustynickname]

Hello all, just looking for a little advice. I have done and tried everything too help us, but with no avail. I have been to the GP (as i thought he was lacking nutrients/vitamins/iron due to his poor diet), i have been to see the HV on numerous occasions because of this issue but they keep on telling me that he is growing fine and no weight loss or concerns etc. So I'm really at a loss and need some help from fellow parents.
My little boy is almost 2 and since he was around 16 months his diet has been terrible, he is extremely fussy even though i have always gave him a healthy balanced diet since weaning. For some reason he just decided he doesn't want to eat anything! His diet consists off porridge for breakfast, cheese on toast for lunch and practically nothing for dinner (even though i still put the dinner in front of him and encourage him to eat) he might eat a few crackers before bed and an orange. I encourage him to eat fruit throughout the day which he will attempt, but anything else he will refuse. He hates meat and wont eat any vegetables apart from mashed potatoes on occasion if he will attempt it. Any advice welcome. Thanks

Following.i have a fussy 20 month old who lives mainly off chocolate and weetabix. At nursery he will eat almost everything they give him but back home he does not

Give your DS a recipe book and together stick post it notes on the pages of the things he’d like to try. Then, when you make something that he’s expressed an interest in, show him the book to remind her that he chose it. I did the choosing from the recipe book thing with my Dc and they chose stuff like tuna burgers, sweetcorn fritters, enchiladas etc...
Also take him shopping and let her choose out the fruit and veg. One success I've had is with broccoli. My son wouldn't touch it with a barge pole until I got him to pick the one he wanted at the supermarket. Then we came home and he washed it and broke it into pieces and popped it into a saucepan. He made a lot of mess and water went everywhere, but he also had great fun and has eaten broccoli ever since. I also found that when they cooked it they'd try something more adventurous. Even quite small children can help in some way.
Use exciting names for foods e.g. we call chicken in sauce 'sticky chicken' or soup 'surprise soup' or green beans 'squeaky beans' (can you hear them?) and ham up the name ... Playing with food doesn't have to be a bad thing. We used to pretend we're dinosaurs eating trees when we eat broccoli – adds a bit of fun to the meal!
My children eat things that they wouldn’t normally eat if it’s on a skewer! We also had a cheese fondue at New Year and they were dipping things that they’d normally turn their nose up at.
We've explained about vitamins and minerals and how they help your body grow and stay healthy. My DD will now eat mushrooms because she is desperate to be a big girl. And DS will flex his muscles when he's eaten a lot of veg!
When mealtimes are becoming a misery or a battle ground then change the scene. Have tea in a tent or at a small table on tiny chairs with teddies attending.
Take a basic food that he loves e.g. bread, and add new things to it bit by bit – so try bread and cheese then eggy bread, then eggs and soldiers.
Even if he doesn’t accept the food the first time you serve it for dinner, she might the next time. Apparently it can take up to 10-15 tastes of a new food before your child gets used to it, so it’s worth persevering to widen the range of things he will happily eat.
Offer condiments. Sometimes, all my DC needed to eat a certain food was a little bit of dressing or for example, sweet potatoes with some ketchup. Don’t limit the use of condiments; eventually, he might opt for the items without them.
If you know another child who’s an adventurous eater, invite them round for tea – watching them eat different food might just encourage your ds to join in.
Many children will use food refusal as a way to get your attention or a reaction. If he’s not underweight, seem healthy and is eating at least some foods from each of the groups, then you shouldn’t worry too much. If he sees you get agitated, or if you try to force him to eat, this could make the situation worse. Also, try not to worry about him making a mess!