Toddler won't eat dinner

Zombie here today. Need some toddler advice. Miss 2.5 has been refusing to eat dinner lately. I've been calm about it, not making a fuss, but telling her firmly that she won't get anything else instead. She happily goes to bed.... and then wakes up 3-4am whinging and crying every 10 mins or so until we get up at 6:30. I am so tired because usually before this happens I have insomnia for a couple of hours or the belly bub is kicking my guts in and have JUST got back to deep sleep when she starts. I know it's hunger because it only happens on the mornings after she doesn't have dinner. I don't want to give in and give her something else for dinner, but I can't keep this up.

My DS1 does this. I offer him fruit as an alternative, or a large glass of milk. It's not ideal, but so long as it's a healthy alternative. ... fine with me. I choose my battles carefully as he's so full on lol.

This was my eldest, I always offered fruit or yogurt as an alternative.

Does she have a good sized lunch and/or afternoon tea? What time is dinner? Sometimes it's too late for them to get into it, and more food earlier in the day means they get through alright regardless. I wouldn't offer anything else, myself. (we eat dinner at 4:30~5pm, though as they're getting older sometimes they can manage a more reasonable time.)

I give fruit and yoghurt and muesli. Everyone gets what they need and it changed when she felt like she needed protein and veg.

if dinner is too late here, my kids won't eat much.

DS goes through stages and will ask for a banana in the middle of the night. I generally give it to him if i have one, because he has shown that he knows better than me what he needs.

would you be happy to offer a smoothie at bedtime? maybe in addition to a late arvo snack/early dinner.

Does she go to daycare? I know the days DS1 goes to daycare, he doesn't eat as much as normal, as he has a hot lunch and more morning and afternoon tea than he would at home.

Haha she eats more at daycare and Nana's house than home. I tried something she always eats last night (tacos) and earlier than usual and she devoured them. I think I need to feed her earlier. Thanks all :)