Don't make an issue of it, never talk about eating, never hint, etc. Take him out to eat once in while esp. to really good restaurants (if you can afford it) or great brunches with *omelettes*, pancakes, fruit, etc. *Never* praise, never punish. Just provide. That's what we've done with our incredibly picky toddler who just happens to only like really good food, and I happen to be a horrible cook but my hubby cooks like a gourmet chef. He's gone from the 3% weight at 10 months to 20% at 2.75 years. His height is at least average, and he eats better than other picky toddlers his age we know. He also surprisingly likes foods like mushrooms, beans, olives, sushi (only really GOOD sushi and not w/raw fish), miso soup, asparagus, tomatoes, and salmon. Of course, all it has be prepared by a master chef which may work at a restaurant or happen to be my hubby.
-- have your hubby or a neutral third party feed him (I kid you not -- it is usually a control issue)
-- accept that he may eat barely anything more days than not
-- broaden your idea of healthy or acceptable foods (ice cream is a glass of milk w/fruit plus sugar, carnation instant breakfast shakes have as much nutrition as fortified kids' cereals) ..I found sugar jump-started my son's appetite
-- if he asks for a particular food, give it to him, even if you have to buy it at the store
-- don't expect him to like the same foods the next day
-- try organic foods and fruits
-- try feeding after swimming, baths or long hikes
A list of foods my son likes:
Subway tuna sandwiches w/every but the peppers
Trader Joes' Quiche Mexicaine (frozen section)
Trader Joes' Gnocchi (frozen section - cream sauce)
Trader Joes' Chicken Pot Pie (froz. section)
Trader Joes' Rice mac n'cheese (box - don't ask me why he likes it better than regular)
Costco's pre-seasoned frozen salmon
Costco Island Way Fruit Sorbets
Spaghetti w/tomato sauce
Frozen peas
Nitrate/nitrite free hot dogs
Veggie corn dogs
Smart foods popcorn
Smoothies
Fruit salad w/organic watermelon, grapes, apples & bananas (try it and you'll be hooked -- reg. watermelon won't taste as good)
Enchiladas, quesadillas, burritos, refried beans
Pizza (tomatoes, basil, mushrooms, bell peppers, etc.)
Granola bars
Mixed nuts w/raisins
Dried mango
Bagel w/cream cheese
Oriental rice crackers
Trader Joe's is surprisingly cheaper than most grocery stores, even Costco. Why spoil them with food when they're young? Because they will have a healthy relationship to food for the rest of their life! This is doubly important for girls!!
I was a picky eater all my life -- never been overweight, never needed to diet, always ate what I wanted as much I as I wanted. So it may not be such a bad thing in the end -- just a lot of gray hairs for mom in the meanwhile...