I too heard that it was a developmental stage (from my wonderful mchn). So when DD1 started doing it at about 12 months, i just ignored it. She stopped soon enough, and doesn't do it (often) anymore. And if she does it now (20 months) it is more to try and get a reaction out of me, or she is bored and/or full, so i just take the food away, and don't make a big deal about it.

ETA- DD often has one or two bites of food for dinner, but still sleeps all night. i too thought sh'd wake, but she doesn't. She eats well through the day, but not really much for dinner anymore. Toddler tactics has a good chapter about food/eating.