MS - yep, I totally think the fussy toddler period has kicked in at the same time as her illnesses. I've talked to others in my MG whose little ones have suddenly become very fussy too. We got fish and chips tonight (not a great choice, i know, but it's only an occasional treat) and she started shouting about chips as soon as she smelt them, but wouldn't even consider putting a piece of fish in her mouth, whereas not so long ago she loved fish. We do make a big fuss already about how lovely things are, but she's a stubborn little lady, and once she's made her mind up it's rare she'll budge. If i tell her to try something she will usually put it in her mouth but pull a face before it even hits her lips... I still tell her to try stuff though, on the odd occasion she goes back for a sneaky second bite, then a third... etc!

Starangelk, i tried exactly that making homemade sausage rolls a couple of weeks ago. She loves the ones from the bakery, but the ones at home didn't do it for her, I suspect it's the texture. I actually suspect a lot of her fussiness is related to food texture. I might try again and see what I can do to make the meat bit more mushy, if you know what I mean! She love love loves helping me cook, so I will definitely get her involved.

Barb, i do hope she does grow out of all these things. I know you're right about making meals fun and not having battles. That's what my instinct tells me, but then I start to worry and it all goes a bit wrong again!

Fleur, i totally agree - we have a freezer full of spag bol, and we eat it at least once a week if not more often. I pack it with so many veggies too so I know she's getting tonnes of good stuff when she eats that. Brocolli is always a good option for us, she usually loves it, although I've noticed less so recently, but still will usually eat some if it's on her plate. She won't even go near steak just pan fried, but I did make her a beef and beer casserole out of the BLS cookbook last winter a few times and she ate it then. I think I'll give that another go - thanks for jogging my memory on that one

Jackrose, so sorry to hear that you went through this same sort of scenario, it is so stressful! Thanks for the link about iron, I'm going to look through it. We were due to go to the allergy dietician at RPA a couple of weeks ago, but DD and I were both had awful colds when it came up. Given they'd only made contact the week before to book us in i assumed we would be moved back a couple of weeks or something, but when I finally managed to get through to them (had left a voicemail to reschedule because the lines were constantly engaged) the next appointment is in June and if we can't make that one it's next year! I am so so so frustrated that we let that opportunity pass - had no idea it was so hard to get an appointment with a dietician!! I love your bento box idea, it's brilliant! I'm going to go and buy one asap.

MadB - yep, I do meatballs every so often, but i find she will eat around the meat then, whereas when I use almost the same ingredients to make spag bol she had no choice but to eat it coz it's stuck to the pasta! I must try making ikea style meatballs at some time though, she vacuumed them up last time we were there!

Thanks again for all your input and encouragement, i really do appreciate it. Kepp 'em coming, I have had so much inspiration from this thread