Need to Re-do Family's Diet Due to Child

She will not let herself starve. My son is the same way, and if he does not want to eat what I serve, he goes to bed hungry. I always allow fruit as a "free food" though, so if he is hungry he can always have an apple or banana.

My only advice is to stop battling over the food. I know it's hard and I know that dealing with a 3 y/o's eating issues and 6 y/os are slightly different, but honestly, I wouldn't worry about it. I know that she needs to eat, and yes the potty issues may have something to do with it, but if you fight her on it it will only get worse. Spaghetti and meatballs seems pretty bland to me, so the fact that she's potentially gagging on that, seems odd. Does she have sensory issues or do you just think she's a super picky eater?

Here's what I do...I cook the dinner that we want. I make sure to make at least one thing that I know my kids will eat. If my kids don't want what I've made then they can supplement with applesauce, cheese, yogurt...anything that's basically pre-made and somewhat dinnerish. That's what they eat and we're all fine. My family eats pretty close to bed time so we don't have a snack issue, but I do give snacks if we eat early and they've at least attempted to eat some of what I gave and one of the other choices.

You could also try mixing some benefiber into her water, milk, or juice. Maybe she just needs a bit of extra fiber and you absolutely can't taste it. It will make the water a little cloudy at first but give it a minute and you can't see it. Good luck!

It sounds pretty normal. I just hate it. I think it's important to have at least one thing she likes with each meal. But only give her a small amount and no seconds of what she likes. Then give her a small amount of whatever else you are having and be done with it. Don't fight her. Put it in front of her and she eats or she doesn't. The power struggle and throwing up will only depress everyone and turn a normal childhood thing into a big problem.

I once had a little boy in the daycare that could make himself vomit at will. If he didn't like something he'd complain and be rude. That would make me so mad that I'd have the power struggle with him. Then he'd throw up and I'd be done with him...just go and read until it's time to go home. He was 9 years old and turned our summer into a summer of hell. When his mom finally decided to take him someplace else I was hurt. She was letting this 9 year old boy rule his world. The only thing is, I feel bad that I didn't handle things better. Yeah, he was spoiled!!! But I didn't know him when he was 3 or 4 years old. If the people in his life handled things better when he was little I don't think it would have turned into such a big problem.

It's pretty simple...don't have the sweets around. It may not be what you and your husband want to do (although it would be better for everyone) but I guarantee if the sweets aren't there to eat, she will choose to eat whatever you're making because she will truly be hungry enough to try anything.

I wouldn't change what you are cooking. Could it be that both of you being trained chefs, that your meals might be a little bit fancier than she wants it. Maybe have her help choose the foods she like next time you grocery shop and see what her tastes are leaning toward and whip up something nice and healthy for her using those things. She may just be hungering for a new taste.

Looks as if she's missing veggies from her diet, have you tried baby carrots, and small florets of broccoli with a yogurt dip? What about 100% fruit juices in boxes or pouches? The V8 Fusions have a serving of fruit and a serving of veggies in them, my 27 month old laps them up! Make sure she's eating the whole grain Goldfish crackers (I buy them and look for that so maybe they are), and having taken nutrition classes you may know this, but bananas and cheese are binding, hence the potty issues.

I'd eliminate the sweets, particularly since she won't eat meals some of the time. Try to make them a treat for eating her meals for the day, and limit them to one small piece and make desserts fresh fruits.

Everyone is delving into feeding children healthy foods, particularly picky kids, here's some tips that may help:
http://www.jamieoliver.com/us/foundation/jamies-food-revo...
~ Jamie Oliver recipes
http://cookeatshare.com/recipes?keywords=recipes+for+pick...
~ Picky eater recipes
http://www.ivillage.com/dip-and-eat-finger-foods-kids/3-b...
~ Dip and Eat finger food recipes for kids ~ the first recipe is a chicken one that is served with a yogurt dip
http://www.ivillage.com/kid-friendly-snacks/3-b-70622
~ Kid Friendly snack recipes

I would encourage your daughter to share in food preparation, and give her a choice "You can have THIS or THAT to eat" (something that you are already going to prepare) and she has to stick to it, no "I want this instead...." As another mom suggested, a bowl or cereal or a sandwich is fine as a choice. The main thing is she chooses from what you offer, and she eats it. (It doesn't have to be a big bowl of cereal, or a whole sandwich, a half would be fine.) And she has to be polite and sit at the table when you and your husband eat, and not be rude. Make a big deal about how good your food is, but don't ask ask her to try it or offer any to her, it has to be her idea, and remember, you gave her a choice.

Oh, and I saw this last night and hope to get some for my guy ~Goldfish Sandwich Bread, comes in White, Whole Wheat, or Honey Whole Wheat:
http://www.pepperidgefarm.com/ProductDetail.aspx?catID=1725

If it's any consolation my daughter was picky (I think her picture was next to the word in the dictionary) and she grew out of it and became quite a gourmet eating everything! : )

I just wanted to say hang in there! My 7 yo dd was a pretty picky eater and a carb/sweet addict. We struggled from age 6 - 7 but kept giving her choices. My son went through it as well, but not nearly as bad as dd. Around 7 1/2 she decided on her own to start eating healthier - she limited sweets a bit and began eating more variety. We still have our issues, but she's really expanded her horizons in the last couple months; she even made herself a salad for dinner the other night after she decided the pb&j I offered wasn't healthy enough.

If you can get her to eat lettuce try a salad bar or taco bar where you put out all the choices and she gets to pick what goes on her plate; she gets to choose what goes on it so she will be more likely to eat it. I really think that's what help dd turn the corner, she chose the new ingredients so she really wanted to try them.

I have 5 kids. If you don't eat - you have cereal or yogurt. Works wonders!!! My "older" kids eat everything now.