The question:
My son is the fussiest eater in the world. Do you have any suggestions?

Chef Mom says:
Talk to anyone with a 3 or 4 year old, and you are likely talking to someone with a fussy eater. And almost any parent can emphasize with the stress this brings at mealtime! Not content to eat what the rest of the family is having, you find yourself preparing a separate menu just to keep dinner from ending in a fit of tears.

Says pediatrician Linda Shaw, MD at Interactive Parent, "Most toddlers and preschoolers are picky eaters at one time or another. They also tend to eat a few items, then will switch suddenly to different items."

Avoid "giving in" and allowing your child to fill up on sugary foods or other snacks full of empty calories. "Instead, you should have readily available snacks in the form of fruits, raw veggies, small sandwiches, etc." says Dr Shaw. Talk to your child's caregiver about supplementing your child's diet with a multivitamin.

And remember that this fussy period won't last forever. Notes Amanda Formaro, "Your child's taste buds will change as they grow. You may encounter a peanut butter and jelly phase that seems to have no end, which will quickly change to turkey or tunafish right before your very eyes."