Skeetaboat, sounds like the average 2.5yo. And you guys sound like you're doing a great job.
I'm also not a fan of battles at dinner (shame DH is - meals are so much more peaceful with ihm on night shift).
Mine's a bit older than your little guy, but when she was smaller I offered an alternative, and it was never really planned - it was just what I had.
Now she's older, she knows if she doesn't try to eat some of what is offered she goes to bed without - no big deal though.
She tells us if she has had enough. I offer veges etc throughout the day too.
It's a stage of testing the boundaries - and no child will starve themselves.