The only time I will make an alternative if DS doesn't like it is when we realise it the main dinner is spicier than we expected and then I don't think it is fair to make them eat it. But generally dinner is dinner and you can choose to eat it or not. If he doesn't I would let him have a glass of milk. Its not something he particularly likes so he wouldnt choose that over food normally, but it does top him up a bit before bed if he didn't eat dinner. We dont have too much of a problem though, and sometimes its about your marketing strategy. For example if DH says stir fry, DS says yuck. So I say fried rice and DS says yay! The same thing except I mix it together in the fry pan before serving and call it by a different name.