When is poor diet a concern?

[Howtogoaboutthis]

My son is just about to turn 4 and has a very limited diet. I am told that at nursery he one of the few who is willing to try lost things, finishes his meals, and asks for seconds!

At home, he is a veg dodging fussy eater who will rarely eat anything other than pesto pasta, pizza or fish fingers, chips and beans - never asks for seconds, and doesn’t usually finish an average sized portion.

He does seem to order snacking, and often asks for crackers or an apple. I don’t want to deny him snacks whenever he asks due to his poor eating, but equally I don’t want him to fill up on these things and then refuse meals.

When is this a concern?

Following as my almost 4yo DD is exactly the same! Ate anything and everything when we started weaning but has gradually phased things out over the years. Some days I don't worry too much as I know medical professionals say children are good at self regulating but other days I'll be tearing my hair out as I feel she's barely eaten! She's very much in the 'beige phase' but will eat fruit, yogurt, and has cheese/ham in sandwiches so on some days I kid myself it's not too bad a diet. I was a fussy eater as a kid and now eat everything so I'm just hoping it's a phase she'll grow out of!

When they are missing out on whole food groups or nutrients. That's what I was told when trying to get help for mine who ate a very restricted diet.

Even anemia was not a big enough problem to warrant a referral, we were given iron tablets. Ultimately my child has improved a lot over the years but there were some really worrying times