First, Congratulations on adding another child to your family!
About your 2 yr old. They will always go through changes in their eating, sleeping, playing, learning habits. And as far as sitting down for a whole meal??? Sitting down for a long period of time to a young child is an eternity and really unrealistic...and just frustrating to parents:) How long are you expecting her to sit through a meal? What is the portion size of her meals? Young children don't need as much as adults do. Just a few slices of apples or a couple of strawberries, 1/2 banana, silver dollar size (or smaller) of protien etc. If there is too much on their plate it's overwhelming. Plus, kids often like to eat many mini meals throughout the day...like a cheese stick, or turkey roll up, later she might eat a few pieces of fruit. Little kids spend so much energy during the day that I think small portions of food througout the day is better for them anyway..isnt' it better for all of us? Look at what she eats over several days or even a week instead of in just one day. It seems that you have already established healthy eating in your home so she will get what she needs. Healthy eating isn't just about what we eat, but HOW we eat as well. Try to keep mealtimes as calm and happy as possible (I know it's hard when you are concerned about her getting enough good food), but when mealtimes are less stressful and emotionally healthy for the whole family, food is seen as a good thing...not bad. Also keep in mind that children have something like 30,000 taste buds compared to adults 3,000! THEY TASTE EVERYTHING thousands more times than we do...that is why most children have a difficult time with veggies and new foods. *On that note, it can take an average of 10 times being introduced to the same new food for a child's palatte to accept it.
As far as food suggestions or helping her sit even for a little while to eat. This is what I have done (and learned through trial and error with my 4 kids). Let her help make her meal. Kids love to help and often if they are involved in the process, they are more likely to eat their creation!
Cut little sandwiches in fun shapes with cookie cutters. Make fruit smoothies with added protien or P.B and banana shakes. Cheese sticks, deli meat roll ups, quesadillas stuffed with chicken, cheese, and spinach cut up in triangles, dip in a dollop of sour cream. Make fun faces out thier food. Get on the floor and have a tea party with her dolls or stuffed animals - (great fun way to reinforce manners...use your best Queen of England accent:) Puppets!!! Puppets can get our wee ones to do almost anything! THey LOVE to talk to puppets.
In the meantime, you are feeding her healthy foods, she will get what she needs. While you are making mealtimes more fun or at least a bit less stressful for you and her, you can encourage good manners, and some rules...such as "When you eat 2 pieces of _____, then you may get down. Let's count and eat 2 pieces together." Or give her a choice that is ok with you. "You can have either a banana or apple slices." If she is wanting some unhealthy food and it's lunchtime. Always always always make eating about being healthy...physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Food should never be used as bribes or threats. I'm not saying you do this...it's just a good reminder for everyone.
I hope these suggestions work. Most of it is going to be trial and error, creative parenting, and doing what is best for your child and family. We are constantly going to be faced with challenges or stressful times with our kids...but unless it's a life or death situation, ask yourself..."Do I want to deal with this stressed, or not stressed?" It's all based on our perspective.
Much good energy to you and your family,
A.
mom of 4. Birth and Parenting Mentor
www.birthingfromwithin.com