Picky toddler eater *sigh*

Some things he likes : bagels and cream cheese, chicken nuggets, Greek yogurt

I also feel he eats too many carbs/ sugar and dairy which makes me so hyperactive throughout the day and then moody and cranky

I’ve heard the best thing to do is introduce 1 new food alongside the “safe food” so for example you could put some cucumber slices on the plate with the bagel and cream cheese. Even if he doesn’t touch it initially keep adding it to the plate to give him the opportunity to have a try

mine is doing the same thing. i don't know how they run off a cup of goldfish for hours on end. to hide food like i've had to do, you could try smoothies, homemade applesauce with additional veggies/fruits blended in, and different types of parfaits with the yogurt maybe? those aren't huge options but it helps me get like....one vegetable into my son

Can you get him involved in food prep? Get some toddler friendly cutters and fun shapes, my LG will chop and then pick at loads of different fruits and veggies (or at least try them even if she doesn’t normally like them) when she’s given a knife and a chopping board.

Just so you aren’t concerned, at this age carbohydrates make up about 55% of the calories they eat a day. I always try to offer something from each food group at all meals even if I know she won’t eat it every time. I just stay as consistent as possible introducing them and modeling good eating habits as well. Some times I find she eats better off my plate so if it’s something I want her to try I have her sit in my lap at the table and grab from “my” plate.

I try to offer one to two things I’m sure he will eat and then something maybe he has been iffy on. If he doesn’t eat I usually remove him from the high chair and let him play. He typically comes back to eat it but I won’t offer a snack unless it’s been a while since he ate and he’s still not eating the snack. Or I’ll make myself a plate and put some of his food on my plate.